The NFL preseason kicks off with the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, where the Carolina Panthers will take on the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m. ET.
This matchup takes place two days before the annual Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, which will see Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly inducted alongside Drew Brees, Roger Craig, and Adam Vinatieri.
Below, I’ll examine the latest Panthers vs Cardinals odds for Thursday’s contest and make my 2026 Hall of Fame Game predictions.
Hall of Fame Game 2026: Panthers vs Cardinals Odds
All NFL odds used for these Hall of Fame Game predictions are current as of Wednesday, Aug. 5, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Panthers (-115) / Cardinals (-105)
- Spread: Panthers -1.5 (+110) / Cardinals +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under: Over 35.5 (-110) / Under 35.5 (-110)
Panthers vs Cardinals Implied Score
Panthers 18.5, Cardinals 17
NFL preseason games rarely have high totals or significant spreads, so it’s no surprise to see the Panthers listed as 1.5-point favorites and the game total set at 35.5 points.
Panthers vs Cardinals Prediction
Hall of Fame Game Score Prediction: Panthers 24, Cardinals 13
Predicting the Hall of Fame Game is difficult because we don’t know exactly who is going to play and for how long. What we do know is that the Panthers will start veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett, and the Cardinals will counter with rookie Carson Beck.
Arizona’s decision to start Beck is intriguing, as that likely means veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II won’t see the field. That could result in extended playing time for Beck, an unpolished third-round pick out of Miami, and second-year pro Kedon Slovis, who threw for 233 yards, one touchdown, and one interception across three preseason games with the Houston Texans last year.
On the other side, Pickett is expected to play a few series, which is significant given his experience advantage. The 28-year-old is now on his fifth NFL team, but he has been fantastic in previous preseason appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll be followed by undrafted rookie Haynes King, who was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback at Georgia Tech and could pose problems for this Arizona defense with his legs.
Panthers vs Cardinals Bet Tips
Keep these Hall of Fame Game bet tips and trends in mind before making your Panthers vs Cardinals best bets.
- The last four Hall of Fame Games have featured at least 37 points.
- This will be Mike LaFleur’s first game as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Carolina won the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record, while Arizona finished 3-14.
Panthers vs Cardinals Best Bets
Panthers -1.5 (+110)
The Panthers own a 1-5 preseason record under Dave Canales, but they have a deeper, more talented roster than the Cardinals, and a more experienced starting quarterback.
With Pickett expected to play a few series, I’m backing Carolina to win and cover this spread at plus-money odds as my NFL pick of the day.
Over 35.5 Total Points (-110)
The previous four Hall of Fame Games have gone over this total, so I’m inclined to back the over in a matchup between two offensive-minded head coaches.
Pickett should lead the Panthers to early points, and I have confidence that the rookie quarterbacks can help their offenses have success in what looks like perfect weather conditions.
Kenny Pickett: Throws TD Pass on 1st Offensive Drive (+600)
Football is finally back, so let’s have some fun with a player prop.
Kenny Pickett has completed 73-of-95 passes for 674 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in his preseason career. Not only that, but he’s led touchdown drives on his first offensive drive four times in nine preseason appearances.
At +600 odds, we’re getting a great price on Pickett to cap off his first drive as a Panther with a touchdown pass.
