Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals Picks and Prediction for Thursday August 6 2026
Panthers Preview
The 2026 NFL Preseason schedule will kickoff on Thursday night, when the Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game. Get ready for all the football action with our NFL Picks. The Panthers (8-9) have endured eight consecutive losing seasons and somehow managed to win the NFC South Division despite having a minus 69 point differential. Former number one overall draft pick Bryce Young is coming off his best season as a pro, throwing for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns. WR Tetairoa eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving and caught seven touchdowns as a rookie.
Carolina was a middle of the pack defensive unit and allowed 22.4 points per game a season ago. The Panthers bolstered their pass rush by signing edge Jaelen Phillips to a monster four-year, $120-million dollar contract in the offseason.
Cardinals Preview
The Arizona Cardinals have won just 19 games combined the previous four seasons and will again be one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Cardinals (3-14) named Mike LaFleur as head coach, after spending the last three years as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett does not move the needle as a starter and WR Marvin Harrison has struggled to meet expectations. Rookie RB Jeremiah Love was selected with the third pick of the NFL draft to bolster an anemic Arizona rushing attack.
The Cardinals surrendered nearly 30 points per contest last season and failed to make any significant changes on that side of the ball. In his first season in Arizona, LB Josh Sweat registered an impressive 12 sacks. NT Roy Lopez was signed in the offseason to shore up a porous run defense.
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Panthers vs Cardinals Pick
Arizona RB James Connor (foot) has not been participating in team drills and will not play in this game. The Cardinals have depth in their quarterback room with Gardner Minshew serving as the backup and third-round draft pick Carson Beck expected to take snaps. Arizona will want to start strong for their rookie head coach and will win in the preseason opener. Final Score Prediction, Arizona Cardinals win 23-13.
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