NFL preseason Week 2 odds, angles, best bets

If you're still reeling from last week's ugly start to the NFL preseason, good news: the starters are trickling in.

We went 2-1 with our picks last week, including a Bills underdog win against the Colts' backups and an ugly under affair between Dallas and San Francisco. Week 2 means more play from the real pros, but there's still value in fading teams with unfavorable backups.

New England Patriots (PK) at Tennessee Titans, total 40

The week's biggest movement was by far on this game, which opened at Patriots -3 before bettors jumped on the Titans. A field goal may have been rich between two teams that both looked sharp in Week 1, but the Pats are too good a value to ignore as a pick 'em.

New England is better than Tennessee at full strength - i.e. in the first quarter - so that alone give visitors the edge. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has struggled in joint practices versus the Patriots this week, which doesn't mean a whole lot other than that his reputation as an overqualified backup probably isn't worth betting on.

Conversely, the Pats' second unit blew the doors off Detroit last week with a two-touchdown performance from breakout rookie Jakobi Meyers. Meyers is too unproven to earn starter's treatment in Week 2, so expect to see him and the rest of the Patriots' young offensive weapons play deep into Saturday's affair.

Pick: Patriots PK

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (-3)

The 49ers might as well pack it in for the rest of the preseason after the bloodbath that was last week's win over Dallas. At least seven players are recovering from injuries sustained in Saturday's victory, including two requiring surgery and one that could be a season-ender (tackle Shon Coleman).

San Francisco's injury woes mean it'll have to dig even deeper down the depth chart as this game wears on. It could also scare head coach Kyle Shanahan out of risking any of his starters for more than a few series.

This is much less about the Broncos - who will ride an improved performance from Drew Lock into Monday - and more about betting on risk prevention from the Niners.

Pick: Broncos -3

Dallas Cowboys (-2) at Los Angeles Rams (in Honolulu), total 41

Preseason football in Hawaii? What sounds like a dream for NFL backups should also be a treat for under bettors, who have already bet the total down from 42.5 thanks to lackadaisical play from both teams.

For a second straight year, the Rams are punting on the preseason and will likely rest all notable starters for the duration of Saturday's game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have been punting on the preseason since Jason Garrett took over as head coach.

The result should be an ugly slog, similar to what we saw from each of these teams when they combined for 12 points in their respective losses a week ago. Follow the money and bet the under here.

Pick: Under 41

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