NFL Preseason Week 2: Game Previews, Times and Betting Odds

Rookies, free-agents and trade acquisitions use the preseason to get acclimated to their new environments and give us a glimpse of their impact on their new team. Week 2 of the preseason is upon us and while the exhibition games are merely a way to satiate our thirst while we await meaningful football in September, it’s worth taking a look at this week’s matchups as we prepare our psyche for the rollercoaster that is the NFL season.
Check out our Week 2 NFL Preseason betting odds right here.

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins:
The Lions won their first game against the New York Jets last week 23-3 and showed off an effective running game that could once again put up impressive numbers against Washington. The Redskins were able to hold off the Cleveland Browns 20-17, but didn’t get the production from starting quarterback Robert Griffin III that they were hoping for. Look for the Lions to be 2-0 in the preseason after this week.

Odds: Washington 2.5-point favorite Over/under: 40

Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns:
Both the Bills and the Browns lost last week, and both have plenty to worry about at the quarterback position. The Bills have a three man competition going, and after Week 1, it’s no clearer who’s going to get the starting job. The Browns, on the other hand, are desperately trying to find clear answers at receiver and running back, hoping someone will step up and become a playmaker. The Bills defense will be too much for the Browns and they should have no trouble getting the win.

Cleveland: 3-point favorite Over/Under 40

Friday, August 21st, 2015

Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets:
The Falcons first team put up 17 points in the first quarter in their win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, and will have a true test against the Jets defense. Atlanta is likely willing to let their starters play a bit longer again this week to get more work out of their new offensive scheme. New York is still reeling at quarterback after Geno Smith was literally knocked out of the lineup due to an altercation. While their defense is solid, the offense will struggle again. Atlanta will likely take this one.

Jets: 1-point favorite Over/Under 39

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs:
The Seahawks roster isn’t nearly the same as it was after their heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl XLIX and they fell to the Denver Broncos last week, 22-20. With several key players gone, the defense will need to learn how to play with each other, and fast. The Chiefs head into Week 2 at 1-0 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals, getting a big effort from 2nd and 3rd string units. It likely won’t be enough against the defending NFC champs, though.

Chiefs: 2-point favorite Over/Under 40

Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers:
Despite a loss, the Dolphins’ first team looked good against a struggling Chicago Bears defense in Week 1 and we were treated to our first glimpse of Ndamukong Suh on their already solid defensive line. That defense could be too much to handle for the Carolina Panthers, who need more consistency on both sides of the ball but likely won’t risk Cam Newton’s health to find it quite yet. The Panthers’ 2nd and 3rd units should be able to get the job done.

Miami: 1 point favorite Over/Under 40

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles:
The Ravens were able to take down the New Orleans Saints 30-27 and got good offensive production throughout the game, but the Eagles were able to do the same in their win against the Indianapolis Colts. Philadelphia’s high-flying offense will look to find their groove again against the Ravens, who are likely to try and shore up their running game before the regular season. Philadelphia should be able to squeak out with a win.

Philadelphia: 3-point favorite Over/Under 44.5

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts:
The Bears have their work cut out for them this season and hope to get their offense moving in the right direction. The first string defense did nothing to impress in their first game and the Colts could force an encore of that performance. Indianapolis will likely want to test their running game against the weak Chicago run defense and should come up with a win.

Indianapolis: 3-point favorite Over/Under 41

New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints:
The Saints are really struggling defensively and it showed in their Week 1 loss to the Ravens. It will likely be more of the same against Tom Brady and the Patriots. New England’s defense played well against the Green Bay starting offense in Week 1, despite losing, but they will likely take care of the Saints without much trouble.

New Orleans: 1-point favorite Over/Under 43

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants:
The Jaguars are one of the few teams that really needs to use the preseason as dress rehearsal for the regular season. They were able to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 and could do some damage to the Giants’ weak defense in Week 2. New York needs to improve on both sides of the ball quickly as they struggled in their Week 1 loss to the Bengals. They should get some traction against the Jaguars with a win.

NY Giants: 2.5-point favorite Over/Under 40.5

Denver Broncos at Houston Texans:
The Broncos won in Week 1 without the help of Peyton Manning who is rumored to be getting ample playing time against the Texans. While Houston has a stingy defense, their offense is suspect at quarterback, running back and receiver. Denver should have no problem handling Watt and company in this one.

Houston: 2.5-point favorite Over/Under 41

Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings were able to flummox Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, but will go head-to-head with what looks like a competent Raiders roster. Oakland was able to put up 18 points against St. Louis’ solid defense, but could use some more offensive production from their starting unit if they’d like to be 2-0 after Week 2. The Vikings may be a bit much for the Raiders, when all is said and done.

Minnesota: 5-point favorite Over/Under 39

San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals couldn’t get much going against the Chiefs in Week 1, but should have an easier time against the Chargers. San Diego could be a season or two away from a complete rebuild and is struggling with age and speed on both sides of the ball. Arizona may try to air it out in hopes of getting their offense moving. It’ll be too much for the Chargers.

Arizona: 2.5-point favorite Over/Under 39.5

Sunday, August 23rd, 2015

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers:
Two prolific offenses that weren’t able to put up many stats in limited work with the starters during Week 1. The Packers saw more success both offensively and defensively with their 2nd and 3rd units in their win against the Patriots, while the Steelers couldn’t put the Jaguars away. It’s a good thing the preseason doesn’t count. Pittsburgh could play for pride in this one and may get the win.

Pittsburgh: 2.5-point favorite Over/Under 41

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers:
It appears that Dallas barely tried against the Chargers and the same could be said for the 49ers in Week 1. Both teams got very little from both sides of the ball, but should work harder to see if glaring holes created in the offseason have been filled. The 49ers will likely struggle in this game and we’ll probably see more of the same in the regular season. Dallas all day.

San Francisco: 3.5-point favorite Over/Under 40.5

St. Louis Rams at Tennessee Titans:
Rookie Marcus Mariota had a rough first outing against the Falcons last week, but should get a decent amount of work against the Rams. St. Louis had a disappointing showing against the Raiders in Week 1, losing 18-3 at the hands of the Raiders. They’ll need to pick up the offensive pace if they have any chance of defeating the Titans.

Tennessee: 1.5-point favorite Over/Under 38.5

Monday, August 24, 2015

Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers will have their hands full with the Bengals, who were consistent across the board on offense in Week 1 against the Giants. Tampa Bay will likely work rookie Jameis Winston to get his feet wet at reading NFL defenses. He’ll have a good one to learn from in the Bengals, but the Bucs don’t quite have enough fire power to keep up.

Tampa Bay: 1.5-point favorite Over/Under 40

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Game Times (EST)

Lions at Redskins 8/20 7:30 p.m.
Bills at Browns 8/20 8 p.m.
Falcons at Jets 8/21 7:30 p.m.
Seahawks at Chiefs 8/21 8 p.m.
Dolphins at Panthers 8/22 7 p.m.
Ravens at Eagles 8/22 7 p.m.
Bears at Colts 8/22 7:30 p.m.
Jaguars at Giants 8/22 7:30 p.m.
Patriots at Saints 8/22 7:30 p.m.
Raiders at Vikings 8/22 8 p.m.
Broncos at Texans 8/22 8 p.m.
Chargers at Cardinals 8/22 10 p.m.
Packers at Steelers 8/23 1 p.m.
Rams at Titans 8/23 8 p.m.
Cowboys at 49ers 8.23 8 p.m.
Bengals at Buccaneers 8/24 8 p.m.