Week 2 of preseason NFL betting is finally on the board and open for betting. Preseason games are marked by volatility and unpredictability, but there’s value to be had as well. Towards that end, we highlight a few eye-catching matchups and serve up recommended best bets for your consideration.
So, without too much preamble, let’s get cracking.
Thursday, August 19, 2021 – 07:30 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field
The New England Patriots descend on the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, kick starting a fresh round of NFL exhibition games this week, and somewhat interestingly, the Patriots are being tipped as the 1.5 to 2-point road chalk at the expense of the Philadelphia Eagles at home in the betting for this game at early doors. Whether the NFL odds and lines will hold until game day remains to be seen, but it’s clear the bookies are high on the Patriots after what they saw in week 1.
The market’s outlook is pinned on the first round of preseason games. The Patriots are flush off a commanding 22-13 win over the Washington Football Team at the Foxboro, coming through for their backers as the firm 2-point home chalk in the process. While the Eagles are coming off a 24-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field that saw them fall way short as the 1-point home faves.
Mac Jones showed promising signs in his debut for the Patriots , prompting speculation about his chances of deposing Cam Newton as the expected No.1 starter this season. In order for Jones to be NFL-ready, it’s likely Belichick will let him see the field for a good stretch in this game. Jones went 13 of 19 for 87 passing yards.
The Eagles started brightly against the Steelers and raced to a 13-0 lead before the wheels came undone. Second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts shared the reps with backups Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens. Hurts put in a modest performance after going 3-of-7 for 54 yards, but the Eagles as a whole are getting mixed reviews. Flacco moved the ball well and went 10-of-17 for 178 yards but Mullens went 1-of-5 for 4 yards and 2 interceptions.
If the first week of the preseason were any indication, Bill Belichick is on to something and the Patriots could well be better than most would have predicted. The Eagles are clearly a work in progress by comparison.
NFL Pick: Patriots -1.5 (-110) with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Saturday, August 21, 2021 - 07:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium
The Atlanta Falcons whimpered to a 23-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans while the Miami Dolphins succumbed to a 20-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. Something’s gotta give when this pair collides in the second week of preseason games. But which side is going to give in? Will it be the Falcons as the markets predict or will it be the Dolphins contrary to the NFL odds?
The online betting markets have taken quite a strong view of this matchup, despite the rather mixed effort of both teams in the previous week. Granted the Falcons mustered up merely 3 points in four quarters and that’s not a great look. But some credit must be given to the Titans, who brought the intensity in a surprisingly physical contest that Atlanta wasn’t really prepared for. Simply put, the Titans wanted the win more than the Falcons did at the time.
Apart from taking the loss, the Dolphins were judged to have had a good outing against the Bears. Tagovailoa went 8-of-11 for 99 yards but he also threw an interception. Backup Jacoby Brissett went 6-of-10 for 67 yards and a touchdown while Reid Sinnett went 6-of-10 of 51 yards. Stats aside, the Dolphins did let the game slip through their fingers through. After taking a 13-3 lead at the break, they gave up 17 second-half points in the 20-13 loss.
The Falcons are starting a new regime under head coach Arthur Smith. It’s safe to say, he didn’t see much from his team in week 1. With the regular season fast approaching and positions yet to be decided, this game is an opportunity for those players that are in key positional battles to get noticed. The Falcons, therefore, might be more motivated in this game to make an impression, if not to win then to at least cover.
NFL Pick: Falcons + 5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline 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.