Panthers vs Colts Odds, Lines, and Picks for Final Game of Week 1 NFL Preseason

• The Indianapolis Colts host the Carolina Panthers to close out Week 1 of the NFL preseason
• With Carson Wentz likely out, Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger vie for Colts’ starting job in Week 1
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Week 1 of the NFL preseason wraps up on Sunday (August 15th), as the Carolina Panthers are in Indianapolis to battle the Colts.

Both sides have already said many of their starters will see limited action or be sidelined for the entire 60 minutes, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t intriguing matchups and players that could break out and earn valuable roster spots. Let’s break down this matchup and target the best bet in this one.

Panthers vs Colts Odds

Odds as of August 15th at DraftKings.

Kickoff  is at 1 pm ET from Lucas Oil Stadium, and the game will be televised nationally on the NFL Network.

Pivots in Particular

The Panthers’ projected starting QB Sam Darnold will don the headset and clip board  in this one. In his absence, Carolina will give most of the reps to PJ Walker and Will Grier — the two combatants for the backup job. Both have limited experience in the NFL: Walker won his only start last season, appearing in four games. He threw one TD pass and was picked off five times, averaging just 6.6 yards per attempt.

PJ Walker com uma LINDA bola para o TD dos @Panthers, que ampliam a vantagem para 14! #KeepPounding

📺: Hoje é o ÚLTIMO dia para fazer seu teste GRÁTIS no NFL Game Pass e assistir a TODOS os jogos sem pagar nada! Corre lá 👉 https://t.co/uMRqwxJ5yr pic.twitter.com/eIM4XFJSqN

— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) November 22, 2020

Grier, the 2019 3rd-rounder out of Florida State, started two games in 2019, losing both. He threw for 228 yards no touchdowns and four interceptions.

That’s a bounty of experience compared to what the Colts will bring to the table. Newly-acquired Carson Wentz has suffered a foot injury that could keep him sidelined for the start of the season.

Thus far, Indy seems content to work with the combination of 2nd-year man Jacob Eason and rookie 6th-rounder Sam Ehlinger.

Jacob Eason will start their preseason opener vs. Carolina on Sunday. Sam Ehlinger will then start next week vs. Minnesota, per #Colts head coach Frank Reich.

QB battle will last throughout preseason. pic.twitter.com/aoMSgRi9hv

— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) August 13, 2021

Sunday will be the first time either will take snaps in an NFL game.

Eason played two seasons at Georgia before transferring to Washington for his junior season. The 6-foot-6 QB had 39 TD passes against 16 interceptions in 29 career college games.

Ehlinger threw for just under 11,500 yards across four years at Texas, finishing with 94 TD passes and 27 interceptions.

Other Things to Watch For

With Mike Davis on to Atlanta, the backup position to Christian McCaffrey is up for grabs. McCaffrey played just three games last year after suffering a high-ankle sprain.

Oklahoma State standout Chuba Hubbard is the most notable player that could fill that void. The rookie shares backfield duties with Reggie Bonnafon and Rodney Smith Sunday.

Carolina’s 4th RD pick doesn’t get tackled

Hello Chuba Hubbard💨

pic.twitter.com/xQRz9T8cOz

— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021

Curtis Samuel’s departure to the WFT gives Terrace Marshall Jr. and Shi Smith the opportunity to win the third WR position spot alongside incumbents DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson.

The two teams have had joint practices leading up to their Week 1 matchup, and the Colts’ defense reportedly did a number on a Panthers’ patchwork offensive line.

Kwity Paye and Kemoko Turay have been unstoppable throughout training camp. If this maintains, #Colts might have the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

All that was missing last season was consistent edge rush. Paye and Turay have the potential to make Indy’s defense insanely good.

— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) August 8, 2021

That practice didn’t even feature Colts’ rookie Kwity Paye, who could see action Sunday. Paye is expected to slot in on the edge for the departed Justin Houston, who’s now in Baltimore. But the Michigan first-round pick did suffer a mild ankle sprain in practice, and is listed on the injury report.

Colts' QB Carson Wentz is trending toward being ready for regular-season opener against the Seahawks, per @AdamSchefter. 📈

All-Pro LG Quenton Nelson is also on the same path. pic.twitter.com/uC2aMAOZrS

— Indy SportsOne (@IndySportsOne) August 11, 2021

The Colts’ young QB tandem could be working behind a questionable offensive line, usually considered among the best in football.

All-pro guard Quenton Nelson suffered a similar foot injury as Wentz and underwent surgery, so his return is still to be determined. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo retired and his replacement, Eric Fisher, likely won’t be ready to start the season while he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered in the playoffs with the Kansas City Chiefs. Free agent Sam Tevi projects to fill that void, but he’s looking to build his stock back up after a dismal year with the Chargers.

What’s the Best Bet?

Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule is stepping into his first preseason experience after last year’s exhibition games were wiped out by COVID, and he pans to get as much of a look as he can with the rest of the roster while the first team sits. Having Walker and Grier as QB’s with experience should be an advantage.

Frank Reich has no choice but throw his young quarterbacks into live action to see how they respond. Unless they make a late-camp veteran pickup, these are the two expected to hold the fort until Wentz returns. Reich appears confident, however, that the overall strength of the team — they did finish 11-5 last year — can carry them through this stretch as well. But on Sunday,  expect some nerves and some shaky play.

The pick: Under 33.5 (-115)