Welcome to our NFL Preseason Week 2 predictions for games played on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
There are eight games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and the return of Monday Night Football to boot. You can view the full NFL preseason TV schedule here, as these matchups will air on NFL Network, FOX, and ESPN.
Let’s run through our best NFL bets this week.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions: Monday, Aug. 22
New York Jets (+105) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Jets QB Zach Wilson is out, but Joe Flacco and Mike White are competent signal-callers for preseason purposes. Even Chris Streveler showed out last week, tossing a pair of touchdowns along with a couple of long runs as well. The Jets came away with a 24-21 win over the Eagles last Friday, and they are in decent shape to grab another win on Monday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the Falcons beat the Lions last week, but the final score is deceiving. Detroit fumbled the ball away and then dropped a potential game-winning interception, allowing the Falcons to find the end-zone and pull out the victory. Atlanta QB Desmond Ridder looked good, but the statline is flattering. He threw a touchdown on a flailing jump ball, then the Lions failed to hang on to an interception.
Give me the home Jets to nab a victory for a plus-money payout.
Pick: Jets moneyline | +105 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions: Sunday, Aug. 21
Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) at New York Giants
This recommendation mirrors the rationale used in the 49ers-Vikings write-up. I understand that the starters probably won’t play for Cincinnati, but 5.5 points is just too much in the preseason. I feel like I have to take the Bengals on principle because of the relatively large spread. But we have some more news that favors this pick.
The Giants originally planned to give their starters some reps in this game. However, New York is revisiting that strategy after suffering a plethora of injuries on the offensive line. It doesn’t make sense to put QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley in harm’s way while hoping a patchwork offensive line can keep them upright.
In other words, there’s a good chance the Giants will lose the line of scrimmage battle — no matter who is manning the skill positions.
The Bengals’ defense looked bad last week, giving up 36 points to the Cardinals. However, it appears they’ll catch a break against the beat-up Giants, which should be enough for Cincinnati to keep it close.
Pick: Bengals +5.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions: Saturday, Aug. 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (+115) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: Local or NFL+
The Steelers are underdogs? Am I reading this correctly?
If you’ve read any of my previous NFL Preseason prediction articles, then you know I love underdogs. A favorite must have overwhelming evidence for me to jump on that side. In the chaos that is preseason football, it’s often better to have the extra points (or plus-money) on your side. In fact, underdogs have hit at a 53% clip over the last 10 years of preseason football.
The Steelers, like the Jaguars, will play all of their fully healthy starters tomorrow, per Mike Tomlin. No word on how long they’ll play, but Pederson said Jags starters would play into Q2.
— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) August 19, 2022
What’s another betting angle in the preseason? Quarterback battles! The Steelers have three capable signal-callers competing for the starting job. While that’s great for Pittsburgh’s regular season prospects, it’s also excellent for preseason betting.
All three QBs looked strong in last week’s victory over Seattle, and that could be the difference this time around.
Pick: Steelers moneyline | +115 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Tennessee Titans (-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
As mentioned in the previous write-up, I love betting underdogs in the preseason. But let me be a hypocrite for a moment because I really like the angle with Tennessee on Saturday.
The Titans are playing at home, which leads me to believe they’ll have extra motivation to excite their fan base. Both coaches were extremely vague with their plan for the starters, but we know RB Derrick Henry will rest for Tennessee. Aside from that, we’ll need to keep an eye out for news.
Julio Jones practiced today against the Titans team he played for last year, but Todd Bowles said he will not be playing in Saturday's preseason game. He said a few more starters might go compared to last week vs. Miami.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 17, 2022
We have a quarterback battle for the No. 2 spot on Tennessee’s depth chart. Exciting rookie Malik Willis and 27-year-old Logan Woodside will continue to fight for that honor. After Week 1, it appears that Willis has the upper hand, racking up 145 total yards and a score against the Ravens. He’s a dual-threat QB, and that prototype usually has a better chance to thrive in preseason football.
Tom Brady’s absence from training camp has been a huge distraction for the Bucs. On top of that, I’m expecting Tampa Bay to hold a conservative and vanilla gameplan on the road while the Titans come out more aggressive as the home team.
Pick: Titans -3 | -115 at DraftKings Sportsbook
San Francisco 49ers (+4.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: Local or NFL+
This one is simple: the 49ers are getting too many points for a preseason matchup.
This spread started out at Minnesota -6, then overwhelming action on the 49ers forced the line down to 4.5. I’m still taking San Francisco getting anything more than a field goal.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell did not play his starters last week. It would be surprising if he gave them any reps in the preseason, as his coaching mentor — Sean McVay of the LA Rams — doesn’t let his starters see the field in preseason games. Expect O’Connell to adopt that mentality. He was coy about their status last week (and this time around too), but we aren’t expecting guys like Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Justin Jefferson to play. If they do surprisingly take the field, it will probably only be for a handful of snaps.
#Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell on whether starters will play Saturday, he said they're still working they're way through it.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 18, 2022
We received word that 49ers QB Trey Lance will not play on Saturday. Still, I like San Francisco’s depth at the position. Nate Sudfeld was extremely efficient vs. Green Bay last week, and former Iowa State QB Brock Purdy tossed a score as well. Reports suggest that Sudfeld has been very accurate while scrimmaging against the Vikings earlier this week. The Athletic reported that he started 6-for-6 on Wednesday while going 11-for-14 overall.
The 49ers could win this one outright, but we’ll take the points just to be safe.
Pick: 49ers +4.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Time: 10 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
What is this? Betting on two favorites in the same article?!? Calm down, we are going against the Cowboys in this one, and that has been an extremely profitable strategy over the last few preseasons. Consider the following:
- Dallas HC Mike McCarthy has not won a preseason game since joining the Cowboys in 2020. He’s 0-5.
- The Cowboys have never scored more than 16 points in five preseason games under McCarthy.
The Dallas starters will reportedly not play on Saturday night, so we could see more lackluster performances from quarterbacks Ben DiNucci, Cooper Rush, and the other backups.
On the other side, Chargers QB Chase Daniel is a proven veteran who knows how to run this offense. He came through with a pair of touchdown throws last week against the Rams, and he should push Los Angeles to another lead on Saturday evening.
Betting Under 37.5 points is a possibility, but the safer pick is taking the Chargers against the spread.
Pick: Chargers -3 | -115 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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