It’s opening night for the NFL week 1 tonight with Carolina vs. Denver.

Game time: 7:30 p.m. central

TV channel: NBC

To watch the Carolina vs. Denver game via live stream visit: NFL.com Game Pass; or NBC Sports

Odds: Carolina -3

To follow Carolina vs. Denver live updates and score updates during the game tonight visit here.

The Panthers not only disappointed folks in the Carolinas with their Super Bowl performance in February, they also let down Pro Picks. With a chance for a winning record for the 2015 season, we went with Cam Newton and Co. over the Broncos. So we got run over by Von Miller, too.

Now here we go again: Panthers vs. Broncos to open the 2016 schedule Thursday night. And call us stubborn, stupid or whatever, we’re right back on the Panthers (No. 1 in AP Pro32), who are 1-point favorites.

Here’s why.

While Denver’s defense still will approach all-world, the offense is in the hands of an untested second-year quarterback, Trevor Siemian. Against Carolina’s solid D featuring as good a set of linebackers as the NFL has, the Broncos (No. 6 AP Pro32) aren’t likely to find the end zone much.

Nor will the Panthers, but Cam Newton, last year’s MVP, believes he has a lot to prove after that mediocre Super Bowl. Prove it he will in the kickoff game.

PANTHERS, 21-16