Domenic Padula (@Domenic_Padula)
It’s been 179 days since the Super Bowl.
Tonight, the long wait is finally over as we get to see two NFL teams face off in an exhibition.
The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game goes tonight in Canton, Ohio.
The Carolina Panthers are laying 1.5 at FanDuel against the Arizona Cardinals.
179 days is a long time without watching the NFL, but that isn’t the only reason for fans to tune in tonight.
The NFL exhibition schedule offers bettors, fantasy managers, and football fans in general a unique chance they won’t get at any other point.
For bettors, this is the one time of the year when NFL coaches tell us what they plan to do in advance.
Those details regarding quarterback rotations, position battles, and playing time can be used to gain an edge.
Meanwhile, fantasy football managers are looking for any nugget they can find during draft season while also hoping the stars they’ve locked in for keeper and dynasty leagues can avoid the injury bug in the coming weeks.
What can we expect from the Panthers and Cardinals?
Let’s set the stage for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in this Morning Coffee column for Thursday August 6th, 2026.
Cardinals, Panthers Set To Play In Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
Week 10 of the CFL season kicks off tonight when the Calgary Stampeders visit the Toronto Argonauts.
Calgary is also laying 1.5 as a slight favourite on the road against Toronto as they chase a third straight victory.
In case you missed it, our CFL betting guru Drew Morrison has been red hot with his FanDuel Best Bets this season.
If you’re interested in tailing, you can find his 3rd and 1 column on the TSN Betting page later this afternoon.
In the meantime, my focus is on preparing for the NFL season and that includes the exhibition slate.
If you’re a regular reader or you follow me on X, then you know that anybody who has tailed my FanDuel Best Bets for the NFL pre-season has cashed in each of the last four years since FanDuel arrived in Ontario.
Tonight marks the start of trying to make it five in a row.
The Panthers are laying 1.5 at FanDuel.
The over/under is 36.5 – the highest total since 2012.
That number might have something to do with the fact that the over has cashed in four consecutive Pro Football Hall of Fame games dating back to 2022.
Meanwhile, the underdog has won each of the previous five Pro Football Hall of Fame games.
The Cardinals should be motivated in their first game under new head coach Matt LaFleur, even if we don’t see much of Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew at QB.
Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck and fourth-string QB Kedon Slovis should get the bulk of the reps for Arizona.
LaFleur has installed a new system in Arizona and it will take some time for the offence to work out the kinks.
That task will be a little more difficult with most of the starters expected to sit out tonight, leaving Beck and Slovis to work with players fighting to make the roster.
Rookie third-overall pick Jeremiyah Love is among the players that won’t play in tonight’s Hall of Fame game.
Meanwhile, veteran QB Kenny Pickett will start for the Panthers after head coach Dave Canales confirmed that most of Carolina’s starters will also watch from the sidelines tonight.
With Pickett and undrafted rookie Haynes King getting the reps at quarterback, I’m willing to play the Panthers.
Some early training camp injuries have tempered the optimism in Carolina, but the Panthers believe they are ready to take another step as a contender in the NFC South after winning the division last season.
Carolina isn’t getting much respect a +320 to repeat as NFC South champions at FanDuel.
However, the Panthers should be a popular bet tonight against an opponent that is in transition with a new head coach, a rookie QB, and many of its starters sitting out.
Carolina has the better depth, with the better starting QB and backup QB tonight, and should be more organized entering Year 3 under Canales.
I’m intrigued to see Pickett back under centre as the QB2 on the Panthers’ depth chart behind Bryce Young.
I’m also looking forward to seeing the dual-threat King showcase his skill set as an undrafted rookie.
I’ll take Carolina -120 as my FanDuel Best Bet for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off and kick off the NFL exhibition slate with a best bet winner.
Have a great day, everyone!
