Quarterback battles, injuries and playing-time decisions create intriguing betting angles as the NFL preseason gets underway
NFL teams are well into training, with preseason kicking off in full force tonight.
What have been the dominant storylines so far, across the landscape?
Quarterback situations are starting to get resolved, with the situation in Minnesota being the biggest development. The Vikings named Kyler Murray the starter over J.J. McCarthy, with the rumour machine cranking up on where McCarthy lands next (Chargers? Backing up Justin Herbert?).
QB situations remain unsettled and worth watching in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Cleveland.
Several noteworthy injuries are forcing bettors to reassess depth, season win totals, and Super Bowl prices, led by the season-ending surgery on Ricky Pearsall in San Francisco with the 49ers.
Bettors are also focusing on the health of contenders’ quarterbacks, led by Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City with the Chiefs, coming back from an ACL/LCL injury suffered last season. Coach Andy Reid hasn’t guaranteed that Mahomes will play this pre-season.
Lots of focus on the Raiders too, with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza looking good in camp, according to media reports, with veteran Kirk Cousins brought in last April to mentor him.
Overall, NFL camps have shifted from speculation to information that can actually move betting opinions.
In NFL betting at Betway, here’s the lineup of pre-season games over the weekend with odds.
Tonight, the Detroit Lions are in Cincinnati to play the Bengals, 7 p.m. EST. At Betway, the Bengals are Moneyline favourites at -275, the Lions are +220. The Spread is Lions +6.5 (-105), the Bengals -6.5 (-115). Total is 37.5 (Over is -115, Under is -105).
The Green Bay Packers are in Pittsburgh to play the Steelers at 7 p.m. EST. The Packers are -165 on the Moneyline, with the Steelers at +135. On the Spread, the Packers are -2.5 (-115), with the Steelers +2.5 (-105). The Total is 40.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Indianapolis Colts are in New England to play the Patriots, at 7:30 p.m. EST. The Colts are -165 on the Moneyline, with the Patriots at +135. On the Spread, the Colts are -2.5 (-115), with the Patriots +2.5 (-105). The Total is 37.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
The Arizona Cardinals are in Las Vegas to play the Raiders, starting at 8 p.m. EST. The Raiders are -140 on the Moneyline, with the Cardinals at +120. On the Spread, the Raiders are -1.5 (-115), with the Cardinals +1.5 (-105). The Total is 42.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
The Los Angeles Chargers are in Houston to play the Texans, at 8 p.m. EST. The Chargers are -115 on the Betway Moneyline, with the Texans at -105. On the Spread, the Chargers are -1.5 (+100), with the Texans +1.5 (-130). The Total is 36.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Tennessee Titans play the 49ers in San Francisco, starting at 9 p.m. EST. The Titans are -250 on the Betway Moneyline, with the 49ers at +200. On the Spread, the Titans are -6.5 (-105), with the 49ers +6.5 (-115). The Total is 39.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
Tomorrow, the Denver Broncos play the Falcons in Atlanta, starting at 7 p.m. EST. The Broncos are -200 on the Betway Moneyline, with the Falcons at +165. On the Spread, the Broncos are -3.5 (-115), with the Falcons +3.5 (-105). The Total is 39.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in New York to play the Jets at 7 p.m. EST. The Jets are -275 on the Moneyline, with the Bucs at +220. On the Spread, the Jets are -5.5 (-110), with the Bucs +5.5 (-110). The Total is 35.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Miami Dolphins are in Washington to play the Commanders, 7 p.m. EST start time. The Dolphins are -175 on the Moneyline, with the Commanders at +145. On the Spread, the Dolphins are -3.5 (+100), with the Commanders +3.5 (-120). The Total is 36.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
Then Saturday, the Carolina Panthers are in Buffalo to play the Bills at the new Highmark Stadium, at 1 p.m. EST. The Bills are -165 on the Moneyline, with the Panthers at +135. On the Spread, the Bills are -2.5 (-110), with the Panthers +2.5 (-110). The Total is 38.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Cleveland Browns play the Bears in Chicago at 1 p.m. EST. The Browns are -150 on the Moneyline, with the Bears at +125. On the Spread, the Browns are -2.5 (-105), with the Bears +2.5 (-115). The Total is 40.5 (Over -105, Under -115).
The Minnesota Vikings are in New York to play the Giants at 1 p.m. EST. The Vikings are -135 on the Moneyline, with the Giants at +115. On the Spread, the Vikings are -1.5 (-110), with the Giants +1.5 (-110). The Total is 41.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
The L.A. Rams travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs at 4 p.m. EST. The Chiefs are -140 on the Moneyline, with the Rams at +120. The Total is 36.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
The Jacksonville Jaguars play the Saints in New Orleans, at 4 p.m. EST. The Saints are -130 on the Moneyline, with the Jags at +110. On the Spread, the Saints are -1.5 (-105), with the Jags +1.5 (-115). The Total is 35.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
The Philadelphia Eagles play the Ravens in Baltimore, at 7 p.m. EST. The Eagles are -190 on the Moneyline, with the Ravens at +155. On the Spread, the Eagles are -3.5 (-110), with the Ravens +3.5 (-110). The Total is 36.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
Finally, this weekend, on Saturday, the Dallas Cowboys are in Seattle to play the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks, at 8 p.m. EST. The Seahawks are -150 on the Moneyline, with the Cowboys at +125. On the Spread, the Seahawks are -2.5 (-110), with the Cowboys +2.5 (-110). The Total is 39.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
Best bets? I’m going with the Titans to cover against the 49ers. Analysts point to head coach Robert Saleh’s historically strong pre-season record, with Tennessee expected to play more of its starting roster (including a focus on evaluating QB depth with veterans like Mitch Trubisky and Will Levis behind Cam Ward). The 49ers are expected to rest more starters.
The Under 36.5 (-105) in Chargers-Texans is another good pick, since both sides are expected to limit or sit key veterans and starters. Go with a low total in an evaluation-heavy preseason opener.
And how about taking the Rams Moneyline? Kansas City has little incentive to play Mahomes. First-round QB Ty Simpson should get some meaningful work for the Rams. The Chiefs will be dividing snaps among Justin Fields, rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun.
