Many football bettors stay away from preseason games and we think that’s a mistake. Would you like to know a coach’s game plan before you made a pick to bet? How about how long a QB is going to play before you make a prediction on the total? How about detailed injury reports? This information is made available by most coaches is you put in the time digging around the web at team and local news sites. Our handicappers do put in the time to come up with this information and use in their handicapping process and we feel that have a profitability edge in making our preseason predictions against the spread.
2016 NFL Preseason Record 3-3-0 +0.30 Units
Week 3
The Colts are really banged up on defense with five starters out and are dealing with some OL injuries with OT Joe Reitz out and rookie utility OL Joe Haeg who looked solid before the injury. Philadelphia has practiced extremely hard throughout the preseason and it shows with two victories. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Eagles HC Doug Pederson takes the preseason seriously
Take the Philadelphia Eagles +1.5
The Bears have some offensive line issues with their expected starting center Hroniss Grasu gone for the season with a knee injury and their starting left guard Pro Bowler Kyle Long nursing a shoulder injury. That said, they’ll be facing the depleted defense of the Chiefs who are expected to be without LB’s Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Josh Mauga. Also out for the Chiefs are the number one and two running backs with Jamaal Charles and Charcandrick West both said to be not playing. Andy Reid has also said that he’d like to get all four QB’s some work in this game which we believe signals a buy on the Bears.
Take the Bears +1.5
Once again we have a team with significant injuries on the offensive line with both starting guards expected to miss for the Bucs. The first string offense has been struggling and will now face a 3-4 defense. That’s the sort of defense that QB Jameis Winston has had his problems with in his first season. The Browns will have all of their top receivers on the field for the first time this season including Josh WR Gordon and it must be noted that RG3 looked really good last week against Atlanta. Griffin completed 6 of 8 pass attempts for 96 yards and two touchdowns and adding 36 yards on the ground. Getting the three and a hook in this spot screams value to us.
Take the Cleveland Browns +3.5 L
Week 2
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
The Chiefs are thin at LB for this game and the CB skill level is weak after No. 1 is a work in progress. Coach Andy Reid doesn’t care much about the preseason and his recent record in Week 2 is extremely poor 1-6 in his last 7. Jeff Fisher’s preseason record isn’t impressive, but he is on record as saying he wants a full out effort every game with losing not an option and we’re going to take that as the preseason too. The defense got rocked early by rookie QB Dak Prescott for two TD’s, but that doesn’t look too bad after he did the same to Miami last night. We prefer the QB rotation of the Rams and think they’ll reward us with at least a point spread cover.
Take the St. Louis Rams +2 W
NY Giants at Buffalo Bills
The Bills offensive injuries from last week have improved slightly with LG Richie Incognito to suit up today and star WR Sammy Watkins is expected to play a series or two. A couple of stars on the Giants in QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. are supposed to see their first preseason action. Both defenses have injuries issues and we believe that the scoring chances will be there today.
Take the OVER 40.5 L
New York Jets vs. Washington Redskins
The NY Jets are a little beat up at the RB position and face on paper one of the better secondaries in the league. The Redskins rushing attack was putrid last week and they’ve put in extra work this week on it. Look for a lot of clock killing running plays tonight.
Take the UNDER 39 L
Week 1
Indianapolis at Buffalo
The Bills are really beat up on the OL and offensive line depth was one of their weaknesses this season. The Colts’ coach Chuck Pagano has a terrible preseason mark, but he may be looking to get something positive started after a dismal 2015 season.
Take the Indianapolis Colts +2.5 W
Carolina at Baltimore
John Harbaugh is 20-12 straight up in preseason and after last season's disaster he'll look to get the victory to build some confidence for the club. The Panthers are expected to leave the starters in for just two series.
Take the Ravens -1.5 W