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NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (8/10)

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The 2024 NFL preseason is here! While the NFL preseason isn’t the same as the regular season, it’s still a great opportunity to start scratching your football betting itch. That’s right, you can bet on the 2024 NFL preseason! And we’ll be here to navigate your 2024 NFL preseason betting picks with predictions for each and every game. Here are our top picks and predictions for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

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NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks & Predictions

Commanders vs. Jets

There are several forces at work in this game. Washington has a new head coach, which usually means a little more effort to win in preseason games. But Dan Quinn is a veteran head coach with a lackluster preseason record (6-15 SU and 6-14-1). Then we have an embattled Robert Saleh with the Jets; he’s gone 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS. He likely still has a job because the front office wants him to work with a solid quarterback for once; if they still lose with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, he is gone. Rodgers will, of course, not play. It would be surprising to see Jayden Daniels for more than a series or two (if at all). We do not have high hopes for the offenses in this game, but two defensive-minded head coaches will have their team ready to play D.

Pick: UNDER 34.5 (-110)

  • Travis Pulver

Bears vs. Bills

We’ve already seen the Bears once in the preseason, as they topped the Houston Texans in Canton in a weather-shortened Hall of Fame Game. While the Bears are still deciding whether or not No. 1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams will play, the Bills have confirmed QB Josh Allen and the first-teamers will play, as the revamped offense gets a look, albeit a short one. Even one series can make the difference for bettors in a preseason game. However, the Bills do have several injuries to skill positions, with Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler, Mack Hollins and Justin Shorter nursing injuries. However, it’s a good opportunity for rookie wideout Keon Coleman to get some meaningful reps against a pro foe. And, for what it’s worth, these teams met last preseason, with Buffalo winning 24-21 in Chitown, with Allen and the starters playing briefly.

Pick: Bills -2.5 (-110)

  • Daniel Dobish

Raiders vs. Vikings

Saturday’s preseason opener for the Raiders is an important one for the quarterbacks. Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are in a tight battle to determine who will start Week 1 against the Chargers. Both will undoubtedly be looking downfield for Las Vegas’ top pick from April, TE Brock Bowers who will see his first snaps in the silver and black. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has not disclosed how much rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play in the preseason opener, but expect to see McCarthy, Sam Darnold, and Nick Mullens all at some point. For now, Darnold is listed as the starter on the first depth chart of the season. One final nugget of information: The Vikings are 0-6 in the preseason under O’Connell. Take that for what it’s worth, which isn’t much.

Pick: OVER 38.5 (-110)

  • Tom Stad

Packers vs. Browns

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that most starters with play, with one notable exception – QB Deshaun Watson. However, there isn’t a ton of drop-off, as veteran Jameis Winston is expected to start and get a rather long look. On the flip side, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he intended to play his starters against the Browns, with QB Jordan Love getting the nod under center. Even better for Love, one of the starters not playing for the Browns will be NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. We should see plenty of offense, as the Browns have some new pieces they want to see in-game action. And with Love working with the starters, looking to get some early cohesiveness, we could see a decent amount of points for a preseason game. Go Over, and feel confident in doing so.

Pick: OVER 39.5 (-110)

  • Daniel Dobish

Buccaneers vs. Bengals

The Buccaneers announced that they will sit most starters for the preseason opener in Cincinnati against the Bengals. Head coach Zac Taylor initially said the starters would play, but he has since reversed course on that decision, perhaps in response to the Bucs resting their starters. QB Joe Burrow is expected to play, but it will be sparingly, and perhaps only a series or two. But you won’t see the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, and Sam Hubbard is injured and won’t go. Jermaine Burton and Andrei Iosivas are likely to get long looks, as they look to replace Tyler Boyd, while also carving out a role for when Tee Higgins is no longer in stripes. And while Jake Browning is a more than adequate backup, we’ll likely see a lot of Logan Woodside and Rocky Lombardi, as they vie for the QB3 role. QBs Kyle Trask and John Wolford are likely to see most of the snaps, and they’re NFL-caliber. Look for Tampa to cover this number.

Pick: Buccaneers +6.5 (-110)

  • Daniel Dobish

49ers vs. Titans

The 49ers have confirmed they will rest the starters for their first preseason game. Brock Purdy's backup is Joshua Dobbs, who we remember started well with the Cardinals last year before being sent to the Vikings, where stars rose even further for a couple of games before a complete letdown. The Titans have a whole new coaching staff, but it is unlikely we see the first unit in this game. Mason Rudolph should start, and he's another quarterback who had seen a significant amount of time as a starter during his tenure with the Steelers. There are a lot of good players that should see some time on the field, and with experienced quarterbacks behind center, we will see some points.

Pick: OVER 38.5 (-110)

  • John Supowitz

Chiefs vs. Jaguars

The Chiefs will begin their attempt for a three-peat in a preseason game against the Jaguars. Kansas City is expected to give their starters one quarter before moving on to its bench. While Carson Wentz is behind Patrick Mahomes on the depth chart, we'll likely see Chris Oladokun and Ian Book under center toward the end of the game. On the other hand, the Jaguars will likely match the Chiefs with their starters in the first quarter. The offensive coordinator, Press Taylor, will call the plays from the field in the preseason. It's an adjustment for him, as he's only coached from the press box in the past. That would have me worried late in the game when C.J. Beathard tries to close out the game. Let's back the Chiefs at +1.5 (-110) on the road.

Pick: Chiefs +1.5 (-110)

  • Jason Radowitz

Seahawks vs. Chargers

The Seahawks will likely give Sam Howell many attempts to show his ability this preseason. Howell has some legitimate experience during his time in Washington. But the Commanders decided to roll with Jayden Daniels, so he dipped for a chance in Seattle. Rumors are circulating that he hasn't performed all that well in preseason. But we can't forget about the 3,946 yards he threw for last season. He'll be a quality preseason quarterback against Chargers backups. Meanwhile, we'll get to see Jim Harbaugh's first game as head coach with Los Angeles. He escaped Michigan, where he was hit with many suspensions, so it'll be interesting if all that takes a toll on him in the preseason. The Chargers really don't have a solid, set-in-stone No. 2 quarterback. That battle between Easton Stick and Max Duggan could be fun to watch. But Seattle certainly has the advantage in the most important position in preseason. Let's roll with the Seahawks at -3.

Pick: Seahawks -3 (-110)

  • Jason Radowitz

Saints vs. Cardinals

The Saints are really high on Spencer Rattler. The former Oklahoma Sooner and South Carolina Gamecock are competing in his first season in the NFL. In 2022, many thought he'd be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Since then, things haven't gone so well. But he's got all the talent in the world to become a legitimate NFL quarterback. On the other hand, young quarterbacks on the Arizona Cardinals will compete for the No. 2 quarterback. The battle is between Desmond Ridder and Clayton Tune. Ridder didn't succeed as the starter for the Falcons and was benched in the middle of the season. Meanwhile, Tune had just 21 passing attempts last year and was sacked seven times. I'll trust New Orleans' eyes and roll with Rattler and the Saints.

Pick: Saints +1 (-110)

  • Jason Radowitz

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