Football is finally back with the NFL Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals kicking off action on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m. ET (NBC) from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio.
While Carolina is a 1.5-point favorite, my Panthers vs. Cardinals predictions project a high-scoring game led by Arizona rookie QB Carson Beck, as part of our NFL picks.
| Pick |  Probabillity |
|---|---|
| Side/total pick: Over 35.5 points | 47% |
| Touchdown pick: Haynes King | 26% |
| Player prop pick: Carson Beck 100+ passing yards | 63% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.
TOP PICK
Panthers vs Cardinals prediction: Over 35.5 points (47%)
The Over has been hot in the NFL Hall of Fame Game as of late, with it hitting in four straight matchups. The average total points scored of those four matchups was 38.5 points, with at least one team scoring 21+ in all four games.
Both the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are led by offensive-minded head coaches who might want to see what they have in their rookie QBs (Carson Beck and Haynes King).
Beck's efficiency as a pocket passer — he was 11th nationally in QBR at Miami last season (80.6) — should help him pick on a wishy-washy Panthers defense.
Carolina was Bottom 10 in EPA per play on defense last season (0.05), and with the injuries the team is already dealing with, it's hard to imagine head coach Dave Canales playing many relevant players into the second quarter.
Arizona's defensive situation is even worse, after the team had the fourth-worst defensive success rate last season (47.2%). Mike LaFleur's team didn't address that side of the ball with any of its Top 100 picks.
COVERS INTEL: Both the Panthers and Cardinals have deep running back rooms to lean on, and both missed more than 8% of their tackles on defense in 2025.
Panthers vs Cardinals touchdown scorer pick: Haynes King (26%)
Of the available players to back to find the end zone in the NFL Hall of Fame Game, King is the best value. The undrafted rookie QB is expected to play at least a half, with Bryce Young not taking the field and Kenny Pickett likely to play no more than a few drives as Carolina's primary backup for 2026.
King's X-factor has always been his rugged running ability, something that helped him win ACC Player of the Year at Georgia Tech last season while scoring 15 rushing touchdowns (he scored 36 in three years with the Yellow Jackets).
King was also one of just two Power 4 QBs in 2025 to force 25+ missed tackles and rack up 30+ runs of 10 or more yards, so King's mobility will likely be on full display as he fights for a roster spot in Carolina.
Panthers vs Cardinals player prop: Carson Beck 100+ pass yards (63%)
LaFleur has already named Beck the starter for the NFL Hall of Fame Game, and with both Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew not expected to suit up, the rookie could play into the fourth quarter.
Beck's accuracy — he was No. 7 nationally in adjusted completion percentage at Miami last year (79%) — should help him make enough plays to throw for at least 100 yards against the Panthers.
Arizona has a nice mix of veteran wide receivers and explosive rookies to help him out, too.
The only other QB on Arizona's roster is Kedon Slovis, who is 1-for-2 for -2 yards in his NFL career. There's no shot Slovis is making the Cardinals' 53-man roster, so why play him for more than a quarter?
Panthers vs Cardinals live odds
More Covers NFL betting tools
Panthers vs Cardinals weather
There's potential for weather to be a factor in the NFL Hall of Fame Game, with a chance of thunderstorms leading up to the game that could make the turf field slick in Canton. A slick field on a humid night in Ohio favors the offense.
Panthers vs Cardinals trend to know
Since 2013, underdogs are 7-4 straight-up (8-2-1 ATS) in the NFL Hall of Fame game. Find more NFL betting trends for Panthers vs Cardinals.
How to watch Panthers vs Cardinals
| Location | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH |
| Date | Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Panthers vs Cardinals latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
