Top 3 NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds & Picks for Friday (8/19)
Let’s check out our top odds and pick for Friday’s Week 2 NFL preseason action.
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NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds & Picks for Friday
Panthers vs. Patriots
The Patriots and Panthers have spent the past week beating up on each other, literally, during joint practices. Now they'll get to take out their frustration in a more official setting. There are some interesting storylines on both sides entering this game, aside from the recent fisticuffs.
The Patriots are reportedly implementing a new offensive system during training camp, and we may get our first look at it tonight. Obviously, Bill Belichick keeps his plans close to the vest (or hoodie in his case). But after the starters sat in the preseason opener, I'd expect to see Mac Jones and New England's starting unit play at least a quarter Friday night.
As for the Panthers, Matt Rhule has already said he will mostly play his second and third stringers Friday night. That means Baker Mayfield won't play much, if at all, after he was named Carolina's Week 1 starter.
This line has steamed up from New England -3 to as high as -5 at some books Friday morning. But instead of laying the points with the Pats for the full game, I'm going to focus on the first half when I'm more confident that Jones and the starting units will be on the field against Carolina’s backups.
Bet: New England 1H -3
Saints vs. Packers
This preseason showdown will feature an intriguing backup QB battle. The veteran Andy Dalton will likely start Friday’s game with Jameis Winston already ruled out. Dalton was a crisp 5-for-5 for 51 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut with New Orleans. Jordan Love will start for Green Bay and needs a bounce-back performance after throwing three interceptions in last week’s preseason opener. The biggest question entering this game is figuring out how long each starter will stay in the game. Love could play into the second half of Friday’s game as the Packers continue to evaluate the third-year passer. With Dalton already a known commodity, my guess is New Orleans will turn to Ian Book after a series or two. Book struggled to get much going in the preseason opener, completing 15-of-22 passes for 121 yards and a pick while getting sacked five times. He only led the Saints to a pair of field goals. Once again, I’m going to isolate the first half and trust the steadier hand of Dalton over the more erratic Love. While Dalton is someone you rarely hope to see in a regular season game, he’s the exact type of QB you want to back in the preseason as he has the experience to shred the vanilla defenses opponents are playing. With a game spread of Green Bay -3, I’ll eliminate the risk of Ian Book taking my money and take the Saints in the first half.
Bet: Saints 1H +1.5
Texans vs. Rams
This will be the only time where you’ll see the Texans being favored over the former Super Bowl Champions. The Rams will start Matthew Stafford’s backup, John Wolford, in tonight’s game. He’ll get many snaps along with Bryce Perkins. Perkins was the only quarterback for the Rams last week in their 29-22 win against the Chargers. He went 10-for-17 with 133 yards and two touchdowns thrown. He also ran eight times for 39 yards for another touchdown.
Perkins did some really good things that Wolford probably can’t do. Meanwhile, it looks like Davis MIlls will get a lot of playing time at quarterback in tonight’s game for the Texans. He played just two series in Houston’s win over the Saints last week, finishing 3-for-3 with just 14 yards thrown. Jeff Driskel was his backup and he was incredibly inconsistent, throwing for two touchdowns while also throwing three interceptions. Most starters for the Texans didn’t play last week but are expected to suit up this week along with Mills. The Texans clearly have the advantage with Mills under center. He was ultimately the most impressive rookie quarterback last season.
The starters won’t get an extended amount of minutes, but we’ll see Davis Mills in action with a defense that stepped up big against the Saints, holding New Orleans to just 13 points in their first win of the preseason. I’ll take the Texans at -130 on the moneyline.
Bet: Texans ML -130
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