Week 2 NFL Preseason Picks

Are you ready for another big week of NFL preseason action? The first week couldn’t have started any better for us, as we went a perfect 6-0 with the picks. It is great to have started so well, but it is always a little scary making picks the following week, as it is very difficult to repeat perfection. The goal this week will be to come out of Week 2 with a winning week.

As noted last week, quarterback rotations are important to pay attention to, and it also is important to note coaches who want to win in the preseasons and those who don’t. I also have to say there has been a ridiculous amount of line movement for this week’s games, and not all of the line movement is smart money. Let’s look at NFL Preseason Week 2 picks.

2022 NFL Preseason Week 2 Schedule and Picks

Thursday, August 18

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks -5.5 (ESPN)

The public is all over the Seahawks in this game, and the line just keeps going higher. My question is, why? How much confidence can you really have in Geno Smith and Drew Lock? The Bears quarterback rotation is no worse than the Seahawks, with Fields, Siemian, and Peterman. I’ll go against the line move and take the Bears plus the points in this game.

Friday, August 19

Carolina Panthers -2.5 at New England Patriots (NFL Network)

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers -3.5

We know that Aaron Rodgers is not going to play, so that means you have to look at the Saints in this one. The Saints may or may not play Jameis Winston, but New Orleans has a capable backup in Andy Dalton. The Packers have Jordan Love, and he has done nothing to inspire confidence so far. I’ll take the points with the Saints in this one.

Houston Texans -3.5 at Los Angeles Rams (NFL Network)

Saturday, August 20

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills -4.5 (NFL Network)

Detroit Lions -1.5 at Indianapolis Colts

Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs -4.5 (NFL Network)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans -2.5 (NFL Network)

The Bucs won’t have Tom Brady, so Tampa is stuck with Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask, and Ryan Griffin. Tennessee may or may not play their starters long, but the Titans have an impressive rookie quarterback in Malik Willis, who should get a lot of playing time. I’ll lay the small number and take the Titans in this one.

Las Vegas Raiders -1.5 at Miami Dolphins

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings -4.5

Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers -3.5 (NFL Network)

Sunday, August 21

Philadelphia Eagles -2.5 at Cleveland Browns (NFL Network)

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants -6.5 (NFL Network)

The public and wise guys and everyone else are all over the Giants in this one. The line move actually makes some sense, as Burrow may not play at all for Cincinnati, and backup Brandon Allen is also likely out. The Bengals are probably stuck with Jake Browning and Drew Plitt at quarterback. The Giants have Jones, Taylor, and Webb. I’ll go with the line move this time and take the Giants.

Baltimore Ravens -6.5 at Arizona Cardinals (FOX)

The public and everyone else are doing what I did last week and simply riding the Ravens because John Harbaugh almost always wins in the preseason. I will take the Ravens, but to a lesser extent than the other plays this week, as it should be noted that the Ravens could still win this one and not cover, as the line is 6.5. I also hate laying this many points on the road in the preseason.

Monday, August 22

Atlanta Falcons -2.5 at New York Jets (ESPN)

The public likes the Falcons in this one, and I agree, as Atlanta actually looked better than expected last week. They have Mariota at quarterback, and the rookie Ridder looks good. The Jets won’t have Wilson, so it is Joe Flacco for a limited time and then Mike White and Chris Streveler. I’ll take the Falcons.

Check out the latest Week 2 NFL preseason odds at PointsBet.