Quarterback rotations and roster battles matter more than team strength as the NFL preseason reaches its final slate before roster cuts
As the NFL heads into the final weekend of preseason (the last slate before roster cuts), the focus is less on which team is better and more on who will play, and for how long.
Some teams are treating the preseason as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, while other teams will be protecting first-team players. First-team players might be gone after one series, and the quality of the second and third units matters more.
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Buffalo to face the Bills at 7 p.m. EST. In NFL betting at Betway, the Bills are -165 moneyline favourites, while the Steelers are +135 underdogs. Buffalo is a 3.5-point favourite at +100, with Pittsburgh +3.5 at -120. The total is set at 34.5, with both the over and under priced at -110.
At 8 p.m. EST, the New England Patriots travel to Cleveland to play the Browns. The Patriots are -150 moneyline favourites, while the Browns are +125 underdogs. New England is a 2.5-point favourite at -110, with Cleveland +2.5 at -110. The total is set at 34.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
The 49ers are in Las Vegas to play the Raiders at 8 p.m. EST. The Raiders are -170 moneyline favourites, while the 49ers are +140 underdogs. Las Vegas is a 3.5-point favourite at +100, with San Francisco +3.5 at -120. The total is set at 38.5, with the over and under priced at -110.
Then at 10 p.m. EST, the L.A. Rams travel to SoFi Stadium to play the Chargers. The Chargers are -180 moneyline favourites, while the Rams are +150 underdogs. The Chargers are a 3.5-point favourite at -105, with the Rams +3.5 at -115. The total is set at 37.5, with the over and under priced at -110.
On Friday, the Washington Commanders are in Baltimore to play the Ravens, at 6 p.m. EST. The Ravens are -165 moneyline favourites, while the Commanders are +135 underdogs. Baltimore is a 3.5-point favourite at +100, with Washington +3.5 at -120. The total is set at 34.5, with the over and under priced at -110.
At 7 p.m. EST, the Atlanta Falcons play the Dolphins in Miami. The Falcons are -190 moneyline favourites, while the Dolphins are +155 underdogs. Atlanta is a 3.5-point favourite at -110, with Miami +3.5 at -110. The total is set at 36.5, with the over priced at -105 and the under priced at -115.
The Houston Texans are in Charlotte to play the Panthers at 7 p.m. EST. The Texans are -115 moneyline favourites, while the Panthers are -105 underdogs. Houston is a 1.5-point favourite at +100, with Carolina +1.5 at -130. The total is set at 36.5, with the over priced at -105 and the under at -115.
The New York Giants play the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, at 7:30 p.m. EST. The Giants are -165 moneyline favourites, while the Jets are +135 underdogs. The Giants are a 2.5-point favourite at -120, with the Jets +2.5 at +100. The total is set at 36.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
The Tampa Bay Bucs are in Jacksonville to play the Jaguars at 7:30 p.m. EST. The Bucs are -150 moneyline favourites, while the Jaguars are +125 underdogs. The Bucs are a 2.5-point favourite at -115, with the Jaguars +2.5 at -105. The total is set at 34.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
The New Orleans Saints travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys at 8 p.m. EST. The Cowboys are -140 moneyline favourites, while the Saints are +120 underdogs. Dallas is a 2.5-point favourite at -105, with New Orleans +2.5 at -115. The total is set at 38.5, with the over and under priced at -110.
At 8 p.m. EST, the Arizona Cardinals travel to Green Bay to play the Packers. The Packers are -115 moneyline favourites, while the Cardinals are -105 underdogs. Green Bay is a 1.5-point favourite at +105, with Arizona +1.5 at -135. The total is set at 35.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
The Seattle Seahawks play the Chiefs in Kansas City at 8 p.m. EST. The Seahawks are -135 moneyline favourites, while the Chiefs are +115 underdogs. Seattle is a 1.5-point favourite at -115, with Kansas City +1.5 at -105. The total is set at 35.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles at 8 p.m. EST. The Eagles are -150 moneyline favourites, while the Bengals are +125 underdogs. Philadelphia is a 2.5-point favourite at -110, with Cincinnati +2.5 at -110. The total is set at 36.5, with the over priced at -105 and the under at -115.
The Minnesota Vikings travel to Denver to play the Broncos at 9 p.m. EST. The Broncos are -180 moneyline favourites, while the Vikings are +150 underdogs. Denver is a 3.5-point favourite at +100, with Minnesota +3.5 at -120. The total is set at 37.5, with the over priced at -115 and under priced at -105.
On Saturday, the Detroit Lions are in Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. EST. The Colts are -190 moneyline favourites, while the Lions are +155 underdogs. Indianapolis is a 3.5-point favourite at -110, with Detroit +3.5 at -110. The total is set at 35.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
Finally, the Chicago Bears are in Nashville to play the Titans at 6 p.m. EST. The Titans are -140 moneyline favourites, while the Bears are +120 underdogs. Tennessee is a 1.5-point favourite at -115, with Chicago +1.5 at -105. The total is set at 36.5, with the over priced at -115 and the under at -105.
If you’re putting some money down on any of these over the weekend, I’d look at the Bills -3.5 versus the Steelers at the new Highmark Stadium.
The Bills, under Kyle Allen at quarterback, are the preferred side there, and I was leaning the -2.5 spread yesterday. That’s now at -3.5 this morning, and with the deeper quarterback rotation for tonight and the home advantage, I think the Bills moneyline (-165) is a safer play.
The Browns have been hammered in their two other preseason games – it’s been a messy preseason for them – and their struggles make the Patriots -1.5 (-115) an appealing play at a short number.
Take the Rams +3.5 (-110) against the Chargers. The Rams have been one of the better preseason teams despite sitting starters. Sean McVay’s teams are always competitive, even during the preseason.
I have also liked the look of rookie quarterback Ty Simpson – 29-for-37 for 263 yards through two preseason games. He’ll see a lot of meaningful snaps in their game with the Chargers.
