I have always liked backing rookie head coaches in their first preseason home game. While this game is not in Arizona, I prefer the Cardinals' quarterback rotation to what the Panthers will put out. Mike LaFleur’s debut as Arizona’s head coach introduces strong motivation to establish performance standards. Furthermore, Carson Beck offers starting-caliber collegiate accuracy (79% adjusted completion rate) across two to three quarters of action, giving Arizona a decisive advantage over Carolina's heavy reliance on undrafted rookie Haynes King. Carolina has already suffered several injuries, and its game plan is expected to be very vanilla. Underdogs in Canton are 8-2-1 against the spread since 2013 and have won five straight outright.
The Panthers are coming off a division title, and they've already suffered several significant injuries in training camp. Expect Dave Canales, who is 0-6 ATS in preseason games, to prioritize health. Kenny Pickett will start for the Panthers, then undrafted free-agent Haynes King will make some plays with his arm and legs. But the Cardinals have the edge with Carson Beck starting. The third-round pick, who led Miami to the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, struggled early in camp but turned a corner recently. His backup, Kedon Slovis, has extensive preseason experience. New coach Mike LaFleur has set an intense tone in camp. This game means more to the upstart Cardinals.
First-year NFL coaches tend to emphasize winning their preseason opener. Arizona’s Mike LaFleur, knowing the NFL Nation is watching his debut in the Hall of Fame game, will likely deploy regulars more than counterpart Dave Canales. Entering his third season, Canales went 2-1 SU in his debut summer, then 0-3 last year, with the defeats coming by a combined 46 points. As a member of the ultra-competitive NFC South, Carolina faces a multitude of big games down the road, so I don't expect them to worry about a preseason opener. Arizona will start rookie QB Carson Beck, but the Panthers intend to hold starter Bryce Young out, so it's not a huge concern.
Last time I saw Carson Beck in action, I nearly broke my hand slamming a table when he threw the game-clinching pick in the national title game for the Canes against Indiana. The third-round Arizona rookie will start Thursday's Hall of Fame Game exhibition opener opposite Carolina's Kenny Pickett. But it should be mostly Haynes King for the Panthers. I'd prefer Beck and Kedon Slovis for Arizona. Plus, the Cards are trying to build a winning culture under new coach Mike LaFleur, while Carolina has gone 1-5 combined in the two previous preseasons under Dave Canales. He might be in the "don't care" category with Andy Reid, Sean McVay and some others.
Football is finally back ... sort of. The Hall of Fame Game brings Mike LaFleur's head coaching debut for Arizona, and he's up against a guy who has not treated preseason games as important in his two years in Carolina. The Panthers scored two TDs and 23 total points in three preseason games last year, and UDFA Haynes King will see most of the action here. Even though he's generated buzz, I'll take the pairing of Carson Beck (a more talented rookie) and Kedon Slovis, who has done well in preseason work in the past. We might get an additional edge with LaFleur pressing for a win here on national TV in his debut knowing the uphill struggle he'll face once the season starts.
Allgeier turned five carries into 10 yards and caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Seahawks.
Waller caught all three of his targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' 34-3 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Brissett completed 17 of 28 passes for 95 yards with a touchdown and an interception while also adding a seven-yard rush in Sunday's 31-7 loss to Seattle.
Harrison failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Seahawks.
Wilson caught two of seven targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Seahawks.
Love rushed nine times for 29 yards while catching all three of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-7 loss to Seattle.
Fitzgerald made both of his field-goal tries and all four of his extra-point attempts during the Panthers' 34-3 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
McBride caught eight of nine targets for 41 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 31-7 loss to Seattle.
Johnson (neck) is questionable to return Sunday against the Seahawks.
Melton (toe) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
