NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds & Picks for Saturday: Steelers vs. Jaguars (8/20)
Let’s check out our top odds and pick for Saturday’s Week 2 NFL preseason game between the Steelers vs. Jaguars.
And check out our picks for the other Week 2 NFL preseason action:
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NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds & Picks for Saturday: Steelers vs. Jaguars
The big story entering this game is that Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett will come into the game second after starter Mitchell Trubisky. It seems the Pitt rookie has already surpassed Mason Rudolph on the depth chart.
“We just simply want to see Kenny in more varsity action,†Tomlin told reporters.
It’ll be curious to see how Pittsburgh deploys its quarterbacks, as presumptive starter Mitch Trubisky also mentioned a desire for more playing time in Week 2. Pickett played well in his preseason debut, completing 13-of-15 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns after starting the second half.
The Jaguars meanwhile could give their starters an extended look in what could serve as the team’s unofficial dress rehearsal. Trevor Lawrence played three series in Jacksonville’s second preseason game against the Browns. The fact that Jacksonville is the listed favorite as of Saturday morning has me thinking Lawrence and co. will see more action.
This is one of the more uncertain preseason games of Saturday’s slate and the handicap likely comes down to how you view Pickett. While his debut performance was a strong one, it came mostly against third-stringers. Pickett could get reps against Jacksonville’s starting defense, and I’d expect to see more growing pains from the first-round pick.
For that reason, I’ll lean with the Jaguars as a short home favorite.
Lean: Jaguars -2.5
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting “against the spread†refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
Matthew Freedman’s Best Bets After the 2022 NFL Draft >>
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