Top NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions for Saturday (8/20)
Let’s check out our top odds and pick for Saturday’s Week 2 NFL preseason action.
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NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds & Picks for Saturday
Lions vs. Colts
The Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts will play their second game of the preseason. Each of these two teams ended up with a loss in their first game.
The Colts won’t start Matt Ryan as they did in the first week. Instead, we’ll get Nick Foles for the first quarter, Sam Ehlinger for the second quarter, and then Jack Coan for the final two quarters. In their 27-24 loss against the Bills, Ehlinger led the Colts with 88 yards passing, completing 10 passes on 11 throws. Foles, on the other hand, finished with 72 yards passing on 7-for-11. Meanwhile, Coan was just 1-for-5 and didn’t impress at all. Ehlinger is probably the best quarterback of the bunch at this point because of his ability to escape in the pocket. But he’ll only get one quarter to produce.
On the other hand, the Detroit Lions have struggled to win preseason games. The Lions haven’t won a single game with Dan Campbell as a coach during the preseason. The defense has looked dreadful and the only standout from their loss against the Falcons was former Bryant receiver, Tom Kennedy, who hauled in eight catches for 104 yards. Other than that, Detroit wasn’t very impressive, especially on the defensive end.
Although the Colts likely won’t play most of their starters in tonight’s game, I don’t think it truly matters. The Colts will still have the better team and are currently three-point underdogs. Take the Colts and the points.
Bet: Colts +3.5
Broncos vs. Bills
Everyone’s excited for this one. Bills star quarterback Josh Allen is expected to get the start for the Buffalo Bills after sitting out the first preseason game.
On the other hand, it’s already been confirmed that Russell Wilson won’t get any playing time for the Broncos in this one. Therefore, Denver is going to have to rely heavily on Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien. Johnson’s a veteran who has been in the league forever. He had a solid outing against Dallas, in their 17-7 win. However, playing Johnson isn’t going to help Denver’s future. And he’s sure as heck not going to perform nearly as well against a Buffalo team that is going to be starting their ones for most of the first half.
Buffalo’s defense didn’t play all that well against Indianapolis, but in that game, the Bills didn’t play any of their starters. Now, we have no clue how long the Bills are going to play their starters, but what we do know is that Buffalo will play them for a couple of drives, if not a couple more. That’s enough to sway me onto the Bills at -6.5. I even trust Case Keenum and Matt Barkley more than those Broncos quarterbacks. Take the Bills at -6.5.
Bet: Bills -6.5
Commanders vs. Chiefs
The Washington Commanders relied on a heavy dose of rookie quarterback Sam Howell in their first preseason game, as the North Carolina product rushed for two touchdowns. They ultimately fell short 21-23 to the Panthers. In Kansas City, the Chiefs took a two-touchdown lead into the half before getting blanked in the second, losing 14-19 to the Bears.
While Patrick Mahomes looked like his usual self in limited action, backups Dustin Crum and Shane Buechele each did little to make their case for the No. 2 spot. Wide receiver Justin Watson was the highlight of the offense picking up five receptions and a touchdown.
As the Chiefs head coach Andy Reid continues to develop his new-look offense this preseason, expect to see more time than usual for this starting group, who, despite losing Tyreek Hill this offseason, is still one of the most potent in the league. On the other side, starter Carson Wentz is still learning an offense of his own, albeit with way much less talent, both personally and around him.
Bet: Chiefs -5
Buccaneers vs. Titans
Following a week in which both teams dropped their preseason opener, the Buccaneers and Titans will look to find the winner’s column this weekend in Nashville. For the Buccaneers, they’ve already established they will be taking the stance of playing little to no starters, as Tom Brady has actually stepped away from the team for personal reasons.
In his place steps a legitimate competition for the backup job, as Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert will compete for the job of backing up the GOAT.
On the other side of this matchup, the backup to Ryan Tannehill will be a much more intriguing competition this season, as rookie Malik Willis, who was expected by many to be a top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, fell to the Titans in the third round. In the first week, Willis was pulled early in favor of Logan Woodside, who finished the game with two interceptions of his own.
With new head coach Todd Bowles at the helm of a more succinct team from top to bottom, I like for the Buccaneers to pull away late.
Bet: Buccaneers Moneyline
Raiders vs. Dolphins
After taking the Hall of Fame game, the Josh McDaniels era in Las Vegas is off to a 2-0 start as they’ll now head to Miami to take on a 1-0 Dolphins team, also under a new regime with Mike McDaniel. While the status of Derek Carr playing this week is up in the air, backups Nick Mullens and Jarett Stidham have so far been more than adequate as the competition for the backup role has been one of the best of the preseason.
As for the Dolphins, while Tua campaigns to play, Skylar Thompson has proven to be the solidified No. 2 already. His first preseason game stat line was impressive, completing 20 of 28 for 218 yards and one touchdown.
While no lineups have been set as of yet, the Raiders could also see Davante Adams on the field for the first time. The former Packer reunites with his Fresno State teammate Carr for what should be one of the best duos in football.
Regardless, the Raiders have shown a willingness to take preseason seriously, and I think we see that shine through once again.
Bet: Raiders -1
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
49ers vs. Vikings
After participating in joint practices during the week, the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings will duke it out for real Saturday night.
This line has steamed in Minnesota’s favor from -3 to the current number of Vikings -4.5. The reason why is San Francisco will likely rest the majority of their starters Saturday night, and that includes starting quarterback Trey Lance. The plan for San Francisco’s starters will be to participate in their preseason dress rehearsal Thursday night against the Houston Texans.
We don’t exactly know Minnesota’s plans as of yet. And it’s tough to find precedent in this new, shortened preseason format. Reports are the Vikings treated their joint practices with the 49ers as the most important days of training camp, which could suggest that their starters will sit as well. However, it wouldn’t stun me if Kirk Cousins got some work for a series or two after he missed the preseason opener due to COVID-19.
When gauging uncertain preseason games, I typically focus my attention on the backup quarterbacks. In this case, Minnesota has the advantage with Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion over San Fran’s tandem of Nate Sudfeld and Brock Purdy. For that reason, I’ll lay it with Minnesota.
Bet: Vikings -4
Cowboys vs. Chargers
Saturday’s preseason showdown between the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys is set to be a battle of the backups. Both teams competed in joint practices Wednesday and Thursday, and both Brandon Staley and Mike McCarthy essentially treated those practices as preseason games.
So while Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott won’t see action Saturday, this contest will feature two teams with backup quarterback competitions. Easton Stick is expected to start Saturday night for Los Angeles, with veteran Chase Daniel entering the game after halftime. For Dallas, Cooper Rush will likely get the start with Will Grier coming in later on.
Rush was uninspiring in his first preseason contest, completing 12-of-20 passes for 84 yards and an interception. Grier missed the preseason opener with a hamstring injury but has gained some ground during this week’s joint practices.
Daniel was the better passer for Los Angeles in their preseason opener, completing 11-of-17 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Stick, a 2019 developmental pick out of North Dakota State, completed 16-of-23 passes for 119 yards and a pick.
My favorite play for this game is a bet against the likely starting quarterbacks. Both Rush and Stick performed poorly in their preseason debuts, and I’d expect more of the same Saturday night as neither has proven much in the pros. For that reason, I’ll isolate the first half total and take the under.
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