The Carolina Panthers head to EverBank Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their 2025 Week 1 matchup. Set to air on FOX at 1:00 PM on September 7, this afternoon game promises an exciting start to the regular season. The weather forecast predicts a warm day with few clouds, perfect for outdoor football.
Led by Head Coach Dave Canales, the Panthers are coming off a preseason where they faced some challenges, losing all three games. Despite these setbacks, the team looks to reset and make an impression in their NFC South division under the guidance of Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik and Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero. They’ll be aiming to capitalize on their rushing game, which showed promise in the preseason.
The Jaguars, coached by Liam Coen, also faced difficulties in their preseason, but they are ready to turn the page at their home field. With Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinski and Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile, Jacksonville aims to leverage their home advantage in the AFC South division. The game odds favor the Jaguars with a moneyline of -187, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.
Jaguars vs Panthers At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
- Stadium: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL USA
- Weather Forecast: Warm day with few clouds
- TV Channel: FOX
- Panthers Moneyline: +157
- Jaguars Moneyline: -187
Jacksonville Jaguars: A Comprehensive Look at Their Upcoming Game
Offensive Performance Overview
The Jacksonville Jaguars ranked 24th in the league for both total score and passing yards, with 320 points and 3477 passing yards respectively. Their rushing attack was slightly weaker, placing 25th with 1729 rushing yards. Additionally, the Jaguars struggled with maintaining possession, ranking 27th in first downs with 298.
Despite these challenges, their third down conversion rate was 19th at 37.3%, showing some ability to sustain drives. Their offense will need to improve efficiency to compete at a higher level this season.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, the Jaguars gave up 435 points, placing them at 25th in the league. They managed to secure 34 sacks, ranked 15th, which indicates a decent pass rush capability. However, their defense struggled against the pass, ranking 31st by allowing 6629 opponent offensive yards.
On the brighter side, Jacksonville’s defense was active in creating turnovers with six interceptions and three fumbles recovered, ranking 13th and 11th respectively. Enhancing their defensive consistency will be crucial in limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Preseason Recap
In the preseason, the Jaguars faced defeats against the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Their most competitive game was a 31-25 loss to the Steelers, showcasing a stronger offensive effort with 273 passing yards.
Defensively, they showed prowess in the pass rush with notable performances from players like Yasir Abdullah, who recorded a sack against Miami. Improving their passing game and reducing turnovers will be key objectives moving forward.
Key Player Performances
Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ starting quarterback, played 10 games last season, amassing 2045 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite ranking low in the league, he remains a pivotal figure for their offensive success.
On the ground, Tank Bigsby was a standout performer, rushing for 766 yards and scoring seven touchdowns over 16 games. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. led the team’s receiving corps with 1282 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking third and sixth in the league respectively.
Team Betting Trends
- The Jaguars finished 2024 with a 24th-ranked scoring offense.
- Defensively, they ranked 25th in opponent scoring.
- Trevor Lawrence ranked 29th in passing yards among QBs with 2045 yards.
- Tank Bigsby led the team in rushing yards, ranking 30th in the league.
- Brian Thomas Jr. was a top performer, ranking third in receiving yards.
Panthers Seek Redemption: A Deep Dive into Carolina’s Upcoming Game
Offensive Struggles
The Carolina Panthers have faced significant challenges on offense, ranking 22nd in scoring with a total of 341 points during the last regular season. Their passing game has been notably weak, ranking 30th with just 3,188 passing yards. However, the rushing attack has shown some promise, standing at 18th with 1,878 rushing yards.
Despite these struggles, the team has shown potential in converting third downs, ranking 22nd with a 36% conversion rate. However, the offensive line will need to step up to improve the team’s overall first down performance, which currently ranks 29th in the league.
Defensive Challenges
On the defensive side, the Panthers have faced substantial challenges, ranking 29th in opponent scoring with 534 points allowed. They have also given up the most offensive yards in the league, with opponents accumulating 6,877 yards. The defense’s ability to recover fumbles stands as a positive, ranking 7th with eight recoveries.
Their pass rush has been moderately effective, with 32 sacks, placing them 16th in the league. The defense has been more successful in creating turnovers through interceptions, ranking 11th with nine picks during the last regular season.
Key Players and Injuries
Quarterback Bryce Young has been a standout for the Panthers, passing for 2,403 yards and 15 touchdowns over 14 games, leading the team in both categories. However, the team faces challenges with multiple key players on the injury list, including guard Robert Hunt and tackle Ikem Ekwonu, both listed as questionable.
The absence of running back Jonathon Brooks, who is out for the season, could impact the rushing game, which has been a relative strength. Additionally, wide receiver Jalen Coker is out with a quad injury, which could further impact the team’s offensive depth.
Preseason Performance
The Panthers’ preseason performance has been less than stellar, losing all three games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Browns. The team struggled significantly in passing during these games, failing to surpass 100 passing yards against both the Steelers and Texans.
Despite the losses, the rushing game showed some promise, with Raheem Blackshear and Emani Bailey contributing solid performances on the ground. Defensively, players like Lathan Ransom have shown potential, recording interceptions to disrupt opposing offenses.
Team Betting Trends
- The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in their last three preseason games.
- The team has hit the under in their last two preseason contests.
- Carolina has not won a preseason game this year.
Jaguars vs Panthers Prediction: Over 47.0
The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a season where they ranked 24th in scoring and 24th in passing yards. With their offensive coordinator, Grant Udinski, they may look to improve their passing attack against a Panthers defense that allowed the most yards in the league last season. Expect the Jaguars to exploit this weakness, potentially resulting in a higher scoring game.
Carolina’s defense ranked poorly last season, giving up 534 points, which was 29th in the league. This, coupled with their 32nd-ranked defensive yardage allowed, suggests they might struggle against a Jaguars offense with something to prove. While their own offense was middle-of-the-pack, the Panthers’ ability to score could contribute to a game that exceeds the total.
Historically, games between these two teams have seen a mix of results, with previous matchups going both under and over the set totals. However, the last meeting at EverBank Stadium ended with the Jaguars winning 26–0, indicating the potential for an offensive explosion this time around, especially as teams adjust in the early stages of the season.
Given the Panthers’ defensive struggles and the Jaguars’ potential offensive improvements, the game is poised to be an offensive showcase. The total set at 47.0 points is reasonable, and there’s a strong possibility for both teams to surpass this combined total.
- Jaguars vs Panthers Prediction: Over 47.0
- Jaguars vs Panthers Score: Jaguars 30 – Panthers 21
