The new NFL season has arrived, making it an opportune moment to evaluate which teams provided the best returns for bettors last year. According to a recent study by Sports Illustrated, the Carolina Panthers topped the list among all NFL teams, boasting a remarkable 60.48% return on investment.
Despite finishing the previous season with a record of 8-9, the Panthers clinched the NFC South title. They put up a strong fight against the Rams in the Wild Card round, narrowly losing 34-31 due to a last-minute touchdown pass from Matt Stafford.
For those who placed a $100 moneyline bet on the Panthers to win every game during the regular season, the team yielded a profit of $1,208.24.
This season is crucial for the Panthers, especially under quarterback Bryce Young. Since the franchise's inception in 1995, Carolina has yet to achieve consecutive winning seasons. Under owner David Tepper, the Panthers have recorded a disappointing 44-89 record over the past eight seasons, with only the Jets and Giants performing worse.
Young, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had a mixed performance. Last season, he threw for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns, a personal best, but he also threw 11 interceptions, marking another career high. With the Panthers exercising his fifth-year option for 2027, Young is essentially playing for a long-term contract. However, the team struggled offensively, ranking 27th in the league with an average of just 18.3 points per game.
Compounding the challenge, Young will begin the season without both starting tackles, Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu, due to injuries. Nevertheless, The Athletic predicts Carolina could be one of the top three surprise teams this season.
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the reigning NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, is a standout player, having recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year. Starting running back Chuba Hubbard is recovering from a hamstring injury but is expected to play in the season opener against Chicago.
On the defensive side, the Panthers have made some promising additions, including Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd from Jacksonville and pass-rushing specialist Jaelan Phillips, who had five sacks last season. These changes could help improve Carolina's -69 point differential from last year.
However, the Panthers face a tough road ahead, with Sharp Football Analysis ranking their schedule as the third most challenging in the league. They have three primetime games this season, a significant increase from just one in the previous two years. Carolina will face six playoff teams from last season, starting with the NFC North champion Bears in Week 1.
In the NFC South, the Saints are expected to be much stronger than last year. As the 2026 season approaches, DraftKings has set the Panthers' win total at OVER 7.5 wins with +115 odds. However, a cautious approach may suggest betting on UNDER 7.5 wins, considering Young's inconsistent performance. It wouldn't be surprising if he were replaced as the starter, similar to the 2024 season when Andy Dalton took over after two games, although this time the leash may be longer.