NFL Best Bets: Preseason Week 3
The NFL preseason is finally coming to a half this week. Then, the real excitement can begin. Until then, there are still a few opportunities left to put down some money on football being played by players who will be doing something else by the end of the month.
Finding Love in Green Bay
The potential Super Bowl preview of Kansas City vs. Green Bay likely won’t feature the quarterback matchup anyone wants to see. Packers coach Matt Lafluer has already said Aaron Rodgers won’t be on the field for a meeting with the Chiefs. Andy Reid also indicated Patrick Mahomes will only see limited action, if play at all.
What Green Bay will have going for it in this matchup is that Lafluer said a number of starters would play. The first-team offensive line, including first-round pick Quay Walker, will play in front of backup quarterback Jordan Love, who has started all three preseason games.
Love played well in Green Bay’s last preseason game, throwing for 113 yards and a score.
Bet the Packers -1.5.
Good behavior may earn Dallas time off
The Seattle Seahawks have an intense competition at quarterback as Drew Lock and Geno Smith battle for the starting job. With Seattle wanting a look at both veterans, it is likely both players will be out on the field at Dallas this week. The Cowboys, on the other hand, will certainly be resting quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons.
Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said if the team had a good two days of practice before they played Seattle, the starters would be rewarded with time off. The Seahawks, meanwhile, were unable to get a look at Lock during their last preseason game because he was out with COVID-19. Smith did play and passed for 118 yards.
Expect the Seahawks, with two veteran quarterbacks fighting for playtime, will be able to handle the Cowboys, who have their minds focused on the regular season.
Bet Seattle -2.5.
Fade the Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons struggled to contain the New York Jets’ down-the-line quarterbacks during their last preseason game.
The Falcons allowed Mike White to complete 12-of-17 passes for 90 yards and Chris Streveler to complete 8-of-11 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown during a 24-16 loss. Atlanta’s quarterbacks, Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, both played well in the team’s last preseason game. However, if Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence plays, the Jaguars may be able to push a few big players. Christian Kirk has looked strong this preseason and gives the second-year quarterback Lawrence a strong top target.
While results in the preseason don’t matter all that much, expect the Jaguars to cover as +4 underdogs and possibly win outright to finish the preseason 1-3.
Pickett’s charge
Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has continued to show why Pittsburgh chose him with its first-round pick in this season’s draft. Pickett completed 6-of-7 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville last week.
Now, Pickett, who is still battling with Mitch Trubisky to be the opening day starter, will want to put in one final strong performance before the preseason wraps up. The Steelers will be playing against the Detroit Lions, who already said they plan to play their starters for the first half. One player who will be absent for the Lions is quarterback Jared Goff.
Detroit’s starter will be relegated to the sidelines as a precaution. What Detroit has behind Goff at quarterback isn’t anything to write home about.
The Lions will be expecting David Blough and Tim Boyle to carry the workload under center. While both have experience in the league, it won’t be enough to match up against Pittsburgh’s pass rush, which has shown signs of being as strong as ever.
Bet Pittsburgh -4.5.
The strangest streak in sports
The Baltimore Ravens have won 22 straight preseason games. Since 2015, Baltimore has been the undisputed king of the preseason. The Ravens have the NFL record, which was originally set by the Green Bay Packers, who won 19 straight under Vince Lombardi from 1959 to 1962.
Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley was sharp in the last preseason game against Arizona, completing 13-of-14 passes for 129 yards and a score.
The Washington Commanders, who were carved up by Mahomes in the team’s last preseason game, won’t have to worry about defending an All-Pro quarterback. However, Washington will contend with a team that plays together in the preseason and takes pride in winning games other teams think are meaningless.
The Commander took a long look at rookie Sam Howell during the last preseason game, who completed 10-of-18 passes for 122 yards and an interception. Taylor Heinicke, also competing for the backup QB spot, completed 9-of-12 passes for 83 yards and a score.
Bet Baltimore to score a win over its local rival and cover -7.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
