The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game is finally here, kicking off the preseason schedule from Canton, Ohio, with the Arizona Cardinals squaring off against the Carolina Panthers. Get ready, because SportsLine’s top NFL expert, R.J. White, has dropped his picks for this matchup, and he’s leaning hard on the Over for total points scored.
LaFleur’s Debut and Carolina’s Climb
This isn’t just any preseason game; it’s our first real look at new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur. After Arizona limped to a 4-13 record in 2025, LaFleur is stepping onto an NFL sideline as a head coach for the very first time. You know he’s going to want to make a statement, especially on offense. Will he come out swinging and try to put up points early? That’s what a lot of us are thinking, and it could totally shape how this game plays out.
On the other side, we’ve got the Carolina Panthers, who went 8-9 last year. Eight and nine doesn’t sound like much, but they pulled off a surprise postseason berth after winning the NFC South. Talk about building momentum! They’re looking to keep that going, even in a preseason opener. This game is our first peek at how they plan to follow up that unexpected run.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: R.J. White’s Bold Call
Now, let’s talk about the guy who’s been crushing it with his NFL picks: R.J. White. This isn’t some rookie; he’s been a writer and editor for CBS Sports full time since 2014, currently running the show as the managing editor of betting and Fantasy content. The dude’s got a remarkable track record on NFL picks since 2017, especially against the spread, making him SportsLine’s most profitable expert during that whole run. If you’ve been following his advice, you know he delivers returns.
So, what’s White seeing for this Cardinals vs. Panthers showdown? The latest odds have Carolina as a 1.5-point favorite, with the over/under for total points set at 35.5. The money line has Carolina at -123 and Arizona at +102. But White’s got his eyes locked on that Over 35.5 points, and he’s got a good reason why.
He told SportsLine, “I’m a slight lean on the Over after the last four HOF Games made it to 37+ points.” Think about that: the last four Hall of Fame games all hit at least 37 points. That’s a serious trend! White also acknowledged the highest scoring of those four only hit 41 points, so he knows there isn’t a huge margin for error, particularly if the Panthers’ coaching staff just cruises on autopilot. But with LaFleur possibly looking to unleash his offense in his debut, it makes sense that the expert is leaning this way. He’s found a critical x-factor that has him jumping on one side, and it sounds like that x-factor points to points!
What’s Next for the Canton Kickoff?
This Hall of Fame Game is just the curtain-raiser, the first taste of NFL action for 2026. While it might be preseason, every snap matters for these teams as they evaluate talent and shake off the rust. Can LaFleur truly ignite an offensive spark for the Cardinals right out of the gate? Will the Panthers show they’re ready to build on last year’s surprise success, or will they treat this game as just another scrimmage?
The kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Tom Benson Stadium. You better believe we’ll be watching to see if this trend for high-scoring HOF games continues and if R.J. White’s bold call pays off big. This game might just be the start, but it’s already setting the tone for what could be a wild preseason!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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