Thursday kicked off Week 2 of the preseason, and more action is ahead on Friday, August 21. Tonight features a three-game slate, beginning with the Jets vs. Steelers at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Panthers vs. Jaguars (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Packers vs. Broncos (9:00 p.m. ET).
Green Bay vs. Denver is expected to be the crown jewel for Friday, as each potential playoff contender is expected to feature starters early in the contest. But that’s not the only storyline to watch, as Jets QB Geno Smith will start alongside promising first-round rookies on New York’s offense.
Below, we’ll focus on two games for NFL preseason predictions and picks. First up is the Panthers vs. Jaguars, followed by the Packers vs. Broncos for projections on PrizePicks.
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Panthers vs. Jaguars Prediction on Winner for NFL Preseason – Friday, August 21
The Panthers vs. Jaguars is likely the game drawing the least attention tonight.
Carolina used its 2026 first-round pick on Georgia OT Montroe Freeling (No. 18), while Jacksonville did not own a first-round selection. Furthermore, PrizePicks Team Picks gives the Panthers a 1.53x payout to reach 7+ wins, while the Jaguars have a 1.26x payout for 8+ wins.
With that said, both squads are expected to flirt with .500 in the upcoming season. This contest could be about the Panthers’ starters, who are expected to play. The starters were featured against the Bills a week ago, but they still managed to lose 29-14.
Meanwhile, head coach Liam Coen’s plans for the Jags’ starters are up in the air. Before the preseason, he alluded to the unit being unlikely to play in the preseason. On Monday, Coen said he was considering playing front-line starters on Friday, but he later reconsidered that statement and is now leaning toward not featuring starters.
Led by the Panthers expectd to feature starters, PrizePicks Team Picks lists Carolina as the favorite with a 1.75x payout if it wins on Friday. Here’s a full look at payouts for tonight’s game.
Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
Lock in your Panthers vs. Jaguars prediction on PrizePicks before tonight’s NFL preseason game.
Panthers vs. Jaguars Picks, Player Stats for NFL Preseason on PrizePicks: 8/21/26
Here are the top Panthers vs. Jaguars picks to target on Friday, August 21. Today’s NFL preseason picks for PrizePicks include RB Trevor Etienne and WR John Metchie III.
Panthers RB Trevor Etienne vs. Jaguars: 19.5 Rush Yards
- During his 2025 rookie season, Trevor Etienne took only 63 snaps on the season, and another limited role is likely ahead with RB Chuba Hubbard and RB Jonathan Brooks ahead on the depth chart.
- However, Etienne can push for snaps with a prominent role in the preseason. He played for 15 and 19 snaps in Carolina’s first two games.
- Despite a solid snap share, Etienne has posted only 5.0 rushing attempts and 9.5 rushing yards per game (1.9 yards per carry) through two contests.
- The former Georgia Bulldog finished the 2025 preseason with 3.9 yards per rushing attempt, logging 2.6 yards per carry or lower in two of three appearances.
Add Trevor Etienne to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Panthers WR John Metchie III vs. Jaguars: 18.5 Receiving Yards
- John Metchie III has mainly featured as a backup receiver during his three-year career. He’s now with his fourth different team, as Metchie looks to finally carve out a consistent role.
- As a backup, that should mean plenty of snaps in the preseason, and that’s been the case with 26.0 snaps per game over two contests.
- In the Hall of Fame Game, Metchie turned 6 targets into 3 receptions and 38 receiving yards. He followed that with only 1 target, 1 catch, and 9 receiving yards last week vs. the Bills, though he did find the end zone.
- The Panthers have heavily featured Metchie in the slot, as 55.0% of his pass snaps were in the slot in the last two preseason matchups.
Add John Metchie III to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Packers vs. Broncos Prediction on Winner for NFL Preseason – Friday, August 21
As mentioned, the Packers and Broncos are each expected to feature starters tonight.
Packers head coach Mike LaFleur focused on the status of QB Jordan Love, saying he will play for one drive. Considering that news, that’s led to many expecting the starting offense to be on the field for at least one series.
This may exclude some key pieces, with Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs (groin) and TE Tucker Kraft (knee) recovering from injuries.
For the Broncos, head coach Sean Payton announced QB Bo Nix will start on Friday, expecting to play around 14 snaps. Once again, if Nix is starting, most first-string players should be in action.
Nix potentially pushing 14 snaps suggests playing up to three series, though, compared to Love playing for potentially only one series.
That difference is likely the driver behind the Broncos being listed as 5.5-point favorites for tonight’s game, per PrizePicks Team Picks. Here’s a full look at the Packers vs. Broncos payouts.
Lock in your Packers vs. Broncos prediction on PrizePicks before tonight’s NFL preseason game.
Packers vs. Broncos Picks, Player Stats for NFL Preseason on PrizePicks: 8/21/26
Check out our top Packers vs. Broncos pick to target, featuring QB Bo Nix.
Broncos QB Bo Nix vs. Packers: 42.5 Pass Yards
- During the 2025 preseason, Nix made two appearances, logging 19 and 21 snaps.
- In those games, he averaged 12.5 passing attempts and 70.5 passing yards per game.
- His 5.6 yards per passing attempt from the 2025 preseason was underwhelming, but Nix could be in line to increase that considering his 6.5 yards per passing attempt over his two-year career.
- Adding to his matchup, the Packers are unlikely to roll out a healthy first-string unit, as EDGE Micah Parsons continues to recover from last season’s major knee injury, while nickel Javon Bullard (foot) and CB Carrington Valentine (hamstring) are questionable.
Add Bo Nix to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Make NFL Preseason Picks on PrizePicks
Trevor Etienne and John Metchie III look to etch out larger roles for the Panthers, while Bo Nix is expected to make his preseason debut tonight. Be sure to follow along for Playbook’s NFL preseason coverage, including tonight’s Jets vs. Steelers matchup.
Don’t wait until lock—make your NFL Preseason picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
Week 1 of the NFL regular season begins on September 9, and the NFL board is already open on PrizePicks Team Picks. That includes NFL predictions for the Super Bowl winner, divisional winners, win totals, and more on PrizePicks Team Picks—available in 36 states!
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NFL news and preseason predictions and picks as the 2026 regular season approaches.
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