The third and final game of the NFL exhibition slate is upon us and it’s time to lock on to our best NFL picks of the week. Let’s discuss these Sunday selections and see if we can fatten our wallets before the 2021 regular season begins!
Sunday, August 29, 2021 – 1:00 PM EDT at AT&T Stadium
Dak Prescott is not working through those doors and onto the AT&T Field this Sunday. But if he does, the only time he will see the field is to pose for pictures before and after the game. The Cowboys have no quarterback depth so if you are a fan of America’s Team then you better hope Dak’s offensive line is mighty nasty this season and shields Dak from the quarterback killers he will be facing on a weekly basis.
So, what does this have to do with Sunday’s showdown with the Jaguars? Well, let’s just say that there’s a pretty good reason why the Boyz have lost all three preseason games thus far and that’s mainly because they have no one who can threaten the defense through the air.
On the flip side, you have April’s No. 1 overall pick fighting for a starting position against the 49ers’ former QB, C.J. Bethard, and last year’s starter Gardner Minshew. Now say what you want but one thing we have seen time and time again is that former starters in this league may not be able to do much against starting defenses but they often look like All-Pros when facing the second and third stringers.
The NFL odds at many of the best online sportsbooks are dealing the Jaguars, yes, the lowly Jags, as three-point road favorites. However, there is one book offering a bargain on this Monday evening writing that will tempt us into a wager. Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review) is dealing Jacksonville as 1 ½ point road chalk, and perhaps they’re smarter than the rest of us by trying to lure that sleepy money on a bad team that is being propped up as the “sharp” side. Nevertheless, I’ll bite and so should you.
NFL Pick: Jaguars -1 ½ (-110) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Sunday, August 29, 2021 - 6:00 PM EDT at MetLife Stadium
The one team that has been Bill Belichick’s nemesis since he built the dynasty in New England is the New York Giants. And it never ceases to amaze me how they somehow manage to either defeat the Pats or keep it close against the Evil Genius no matter how lousy their team may be or how many injuries they show on their IL.
And so, this game is a meaningless preseason game but don’t think for a moment that this isn’t a bigger deal to Big Blue than it is to the Patriots. Giants’ coach, Joe Judge, has publicly stated that their regular-season starter under center, Daniel Jones, will play the entire first half.
This gives them a leg up on the Pats who will likely be careful not to overextend Cam Newton or Mac Jones, seeing as Newton appears to have wrapped up the Week 1 starter’s job in Foxborough. Think rickety, old, Brian Hoyer getting beaucoup reps against what should be a solid New York defense looking to gel before the regular season commences. Let’s grab the field goal head start and back the home hound here.
NFL Pick: Giants +3 (+100) at Heritage Sports
Sunday, August 29, 2021 - 8:00 PM EDT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Falcons were just 2-6 at home last season and they haven’t look good at all in the preseason. I realize the exhibition slate doesn’t mean a hill of beans vis a vis the regular season but the last time I checked we were betting on the preseason this Sunday and that means I have to take what the teams are giving me. And in Atlanta’s case – that’s a whole lotta nothin’.
Meanwhile, the Browns are 2-0 and Case Keenum is a capable backup who can treat a second-string defense poorly if given the opportunity. However, rumor has it that Baker Mayfield could make his first appearance and play catch with Odell Beckham Jr. this Sunday. That would be a treat and if true, could make backing the Browns a smart move.
NFL Pick: Browns -5 ½ (-115) at Intertops (visit our Intertops Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.