NFL preseason Week 2 best bets: Trust Seahawks', Titans' backup QBs
Week 2 of preseason means one thing: We're closer to meaningful football. With just three scheduled preseason games, the second week of exhibition games is often the most important for teams. More starters suit up and play longer than Week 1 or Week 3.
But don't get too excited - much of the sloppy play and stale drives we saw the first weekend will repeat itself, with backups getting most of the workload.
Here's the schedule for Friday's and Saturday's games, along with our best bets:
| Day (Time ET) | Game (Spread) | O/U |
|---|---|---|
| Friday (7 p.m.) | Panthers @ Giants (-3) | 38.5 |
| Friday(7:30 p.m.) | Bengals @ Falcons (-6.5) | 38.5 |
| Saturday (1 p.m.) | Jaguars @ Lions (+4) | 39.5 |
| Saturday (4 p.m.) | Dolphins @ Texans (-3) | 39.5 |
| Saturday (6:30 p.m.) | Bills @ Steelers (-2.5) | 42.5 |
| Saturday(7 p.m.) | Bears @ Colts (-3.5) | 40.5 |
| Saturday(7:30 p.m.) | Bucs @ Jets (-2.5) | 36.5 |
| Saturday(8p.m.) | Chiefs @ Cardinals (+7.5) | 40.5 |
| Saturday(8p.m.) | Patriots @ Packers (-3) | 36.5 |
| Saturday(8p.m.) | Titans @ Vikings (+2) | 37.5 |
| Saturday (8:30 p.m.) | Broncos @ 49ers (+4) | 38.5 |
| Saturday (9 p.m.) | Raiders @ Rams (+3.5) | 39.5 |
| Saturday(10p.m.) | Cowboys @ Seahawks (-7) | 40.5 |
Odds via theScore Bet
Cowboys @ Seahawks (-7), O/U 40.5Pete Carroll is one of the best active coaches against the spread in the preseason, moving to 27-19-1 after last week's 24-13 win over the Vikings. It shows Carroll prioritizes preseason more than most coaches. Now, that doesn't mean he gives his starters endless reps. In fact, it was mostly second-stringers who started the preseason opener.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock threw for 191 yards on 24 attempts - a solid showing. He also threw two touchdowns and one interception. He got help from his receiving core, which featured rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who caught three passes for 25 yards.
Preseason is a chance for young players to showcase their talents while veterans watch from the sideline. The Seahawks have youth at skill positions, along with their defense. It's why they outlasted the Vikings last week and will outlast the Cowboys on Saturday.
The Cowboys sat their starters in the first preseason game, and the expectation is they'll do the same this weekend, at least their most impactful offensive players. Dallas is a veteran group at most offensive positions, so there's little value in risking injury by playing them in the preseason.
It's hard to lay a touchdown spread in a preseason game, but considering I don't expect the Cowboys to play their starters and Lock proved what he's capable of in Week 1, it's worth taking the Seahawks.
This game is also the second-highest total of the weekend. When the first half line comes out, which should be around 3.5, it's worth taking that, too.
Pick: Seahawks -7
Titans @ Vikings (+2.5), O/U 37.5Kirk Cousins didn't play in any preseason games last year, and it'd be a surprise if he plays in any this year, although he and head coach Kevin O'Connell haven't completely ruled it out.
Without Cousins, the offense struggled against the Seahawks last week, only scoring 13 points. Nick Mullens took a majority of the snaps. He played well, as did backup running back Ty Chandler, who rushed for 41 yards and had 29 receiving yards. But the Vikings still failed to move the ball against the Seahawks' backups.
Unless Cousins and the rest of the starters play, the Vikings will look similar to how they did last week. They host the Titans on Saturday, another team coming off a loss in the preseason opener.
Ryan Tannehill didn't play in the 23-17 loss to the Bears. The Titans' defense struggled, but their offense looked good, with sophomore Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis assuming the majority of snaps. They combined for 246 yards and two interceptions, including a costly one by Levis late in the fourth quarter.
Levis and Willis are competing for the backup job - and possibly the starting job eventually - so every opportunity they get is paramount.
They each flashed their potential while also showcasing their youth. With one game down and now facing a weaker Vikings defense, I expect both quarterbacks to have better showings and lead the Titans to a road win.
Pick: Titans -2.5
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @soshtry for more betting coverage.
Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.