Week 3 of the 2022 NFL preseason is here, which means we are just two weeks away until it’s time for kickoff! The players get some rest next week after the CBA came to an agreement to lessen the preseason from 4 weeks to only 3 weeks.
By now teams have found out who their starting staff will be coming into the next season. So now, the second and third teams are fighting for their roster spots as reserves for the upcoming season. While it is fun finding some diamonds in the rough, it has been especially hectic on bettors.
The preseason has had its ups and downs and the bettors have been feeling that as well. They are excited for that the regular season is almost among us but there is one week left for those bettors to cash in on this preseason before it’s all systems go.
Preseason Week 3 Match-ups and Betting Previews
Green Bay Packers (-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (+2)
How To Watch: Thursday, August 25, 8:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The preseason all but said and done coming into the third and final week of the preseason. The future of the Packers has some light as Jordan Love has shown to be making some strides after a rough start to the season.
Chiefs’ nation was able to get a little glimpse of life without Tyreek Hill and honestly it looks better than ever. Even though it may only be the preseason things look to be in full form already. In their most recent outing, Patrick Mahomes was looking at his peak opening the game with two drives that resulted in touchdowns before being benched for the backups.
Don’t expect many starters to be getting playing time in the final week of the preseason. This is what makes predicting this last week a hard one. Just go with your gut and it will lead you to the promise land.
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) vs. Houston Texans (+3.5)
How To Watch: Thursday, August 25, 8:15 PM ET, Prime Video
Odds Courtesy of BetRivers Sportsbook
The San Francisco 49ers are giving Trey Lance all the opportunity in the world to have success in the red and gold. Although he has full reigns of this operation, the 49ers have been given enough reps in for backup QB Nate Sudfelt to get acclimated to the system and to keep Lance fresh for the season’s kickoff.
The Texans have been one of the surprising teams throughout the preseason. Their young players have been stepping up and making some strides. The connection between David Mills and Nico Collins has been ramping up since last year and could be a sneaky good combo for the Texans this season.
Even though the Texans seem improved throughout this preseason they lack the depth that the 49ers have. The battle of the preseason undefeated and one of their 0’s has got to go.
Buffalo Bills (+6.5) vs. Carolina Panthers (-6.5)
How To Watch: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM ET, NFL+
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The new Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is settling into his new role. We saw a glimpse of what could come in their last game against the Denver Broncos where they put 42 points. Josh Allen played some snaps in that game, and we saw rookie James Cook, who’s the younger brother of Dalvin Cook, show off for his last name.
The Panthers may have solidified their starting QB for the regular season, but that QB play hasn’t been translating much during the preseason. It’s not all of PJ Walker’s fault, even though he threw two interceptions, it was his offensive line that let him down.
It is hard to gage what you are really going to get out of the backups from the Panthers, especially during the last preseason game. Also, the Bills will not have any starters out there as they gear up for kickoff. The depth of the Bills may be enough to overcome the Panthers on the road.
Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (+7.5)
How To Watch: Friday, August 26, 8:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of BetRivers Sportsbook
The Seattle Seahawks is hard at work trying to figure out who their next starting QB will be. With Drew Lock out last week with Covid, Geno Smith got the nod but couldn’t run away with the opportunity. So, you can expect this QB battle to extend for most of this third and final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys looked to get some of their youth action during this preseason. Much like the signing of WR KaVontae Turpin who has been lighting it up on special teams. Already this preseason he has two return touchdowns, and he could be a crucial part to this team during the regular season.
The Seahawks are still trying to find their identity with a new quarterback, and they have yet to have a concrete idea on that just yet. Cowboys may not have any starters this game but still can pull this off at home.
Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) vs. New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
How To Watch: Friday, August 26, 8:00 PM ET, KCBS-TV
Odds Courtesy of BetRivers Sportsbook
The Los Angeles Chargers are looking forward to putting on a show in their regular season opener, so they are keeping their starters nice and fresh on the sidelines. The one bright spot during this preseason is WR Joshua Palmer, who seems to be emerging as another elite threat for QB Justin Herbert.
The New Orleans Saints are in the same boat as the Chargers as they too are trying to keep their core players healthy and injury by keeping them on the sidelines. They want to ensure that their QB Jameis Winston is good to go for their regular season opener in hopes of a strong push in the 2022/2023 season.
This is the battle of the winless teams of the preseason which makes it anyone’s guess as to who comes out on top. This should be closely contested to the very end, but the home team advantage seems just about enough to get it done.
New England Patriots (+1.5) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5)
How To Watch: Friday, August 27, 8:15 PM ET, FOX 5
Odds Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook
The New England Patriots are currently going through a transition period after the departure of longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel. QB Mac Jones might have some growing pains in his second year as the Patriots starter but luckily for him his head coach is Bill Belichik so the Patriots will always give the best opportunity to succeed.
The Las Vegas Raiders are all in this year as they acquired one of the best pass catchers in the entire league in Davante Adams. We have yet to see the addition take the field as a raider and I highly doubt we see him in the last week of the preseason as well.
Both head coaches are familiar with one another which will keep this game close throughout the contest. As it should come down to the final moments of the game for a win for either team.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (-4)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 3:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping these early reps in the preseason for QB Trevor Lawrence will help with his confidence coming into the season. He has looked good thus far, playing mistake free football, which is something HC Doug Pederson instills upon his QBs.
The Falcons during the preseason have been a tail of two teams, the starters give them the lead in the first half and then the backups come in and blow the lead in the second half. Falcons’ fans are just hoping this is not the foreseeable future this year.
I wouldn’t expect to see much of any starters out there for both teams which includes Lawrence and Mariota. So, if we are basing it on the backups and depth for this game, I would have to give a slight edge to the Jaguars.
Los Angeles Rams (+2.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 6:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Los Angeles Chargers don’t seem to care that much about the preseason as they are winless thus far, even losing to the lowly Houston Texans. Sean McVay is only worrying about keeping his starters healthy and giving the second and third teams to shine and get some reps in.
The Cincinnati Bengals also have been keeping their starters fresh by throwing in their young players to get some reps. They have had some potential game changers making some noise in the preseason like rookie defender Dax Hill and rookie WR Kwamie Lassiter II.
This game could go either way with both squads playing with young, up and coming players that are looking for a roster spot for the season. Expect a back-and-forth game between these teams before we kickoff the season.
Chicago Bears (+5.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (-5.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 7:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
The Chicago Bears surprisingly have won both of their preseason games and that is without playing much of their starters throughout. Expect more of the same as the Bears try to keep QB Justin Fields and co. healthy to start the regular season.
The Cleveland Browns will be going through a lot without their star QB Deshaun Watson for the first 11 games of the season. Luckily for them they have a capable backup in Joshua Dobbs who seems to be grasping the offensive play calls quite well, who is there to serve as the immediate backup to Jacoby Brissett.
This is one of the few games where we could see some starters for both teams. Ultimately, the backups should be in for majority of the game in which I give the slight edge to the home team.
Arizona Cardinals (+3.5) vs. Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 7:00 PM ET, WKRN News 2
Odds Courtesy of Unibet Sportsbook
The Arizona Cardinals have been using their starters sparingly during this preseason. Majority of the playing time has been for the backups as they trying to figure out who will be backing up their prized possession Kyler Murray.
The Tennessee Titans are set at QB with Ryan Tannehill, but he shouldn’t be too comfortable because third-round rookie Malik Willis has been looking mighty good out there. If anything were to happen to Tannehill during the season it will be Willis’ time to shine.
This is a game that we could possibly see some starters early and then backups see the field after a drive or two. Hard to really gage who gets the job done as this should be closely contested throughout.
Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5) vs. Miami Dolphins (-3.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 7:00 PM ET, TBA
Odds Courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
The Philadelphia Eagles let Gardner Minshew and co. shine in their last preseason game. He has a full grasp on the offense as well as the backup job for Jalen Hurts. His presence will definitely help Hurts grow as the season progresses.
The Miami Dolphins is still working out the kinks with all the new pieces that they added to their offense this offseason. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has shown pose during the preseason but has yet to really air it out so it will be interesting to see him during the first regular season game of the season.
Both teams should be playing a mix of their starters and backups, but it is the Dolphins depth that stands out the most in this contest. Along with having the homefield advantage helps the cause.
Washington Commanders (+6.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 7:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Washington Commanders have been giving newly acquired QB Carson Wentz some playing time this preseason to get acclimated to the new offense. He has shown some poise that had him as one of the top QBs not too long ago but his tendency to get stuck in the pocket is still apparent.
The Baltimore Ravens live for the preseason, as they have now won 22 straight preseason games. They have been giving their backups a ton of playing time to hone their skills and shine like rookie TE Isaiah Likely.
It is hard to buck a trend like winning 22 straight preseason games, especially for the backups for the Commanders, should be a close game otherwise though.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) vs. Indianapolis Colts (-3)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 7:30 PM ET, WFLA
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping their most prized possession Tom Brady on the shelf and for good reason coming up to the kickoff of the regular season. They were still able to put up a good showing against the Titans their last time out.
The Indianapolis Colts are also looking towards the regular season opener than caring about what happens in the preseason. The Colts let their backups do their thing, get some reps in and have their chances to shine before it is all said and done.
Both teams are winless during the preseason which leaves little consensus on who should get the job done. In a matchup where anything can happen, it is hard to not take the points.
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) vs. Denver Broncos (+1.5)
How To Watch: Saturday, August 27, 9:00 PM ET, NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
New Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell is trying to get his feet wet in his first season as a head coach. By doing so he is keeping his starters away from potential injury and keeping them sidelined which is never a bad strategy.
The Denver Broncos also has a new HC in Nathaniel Hackett who is making his backups work for their roster spots. The healthier the better for that starting core of players for the Broncos and you can expect more of the same in this preseason matchup.
It’s going to be the battle of the backups and it seems to me that the Broncos just have a bit more depth than the Vikings do at this point.
New York Giants (+3) vs. New York Jets (-3)
How To Watch: Sunday, August 28, 1:00 PM NFL Network
Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
It’s the battle of who’s the best team in New York as the New York Giants take on the New York Jets. The Giants are undefeated during the preseason and have shown glimpses of promise during their playing time. QB Danny Jones has been progressing and we may see the best version of himself and the Giants offense this season.
The New York Jets have been getting extended look at backup QB Joe Flacco, in due part of starting QB Zach Wilson still recovering from a knee procedure. This could be the case where Flacco gets the job outright due to an injury from Wilson at some point during the season.
Both teams should be playing a mixture of starters and backups throughout this game which should keep this close and a hard one to really predict to get the job done.
Detroit Lions (+4.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5)
How To Watch: Monday, August 29, 4:30 PM ET, CBS
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Detroit Lions may not be the most talented team in the league, but they are one with a ton of heart and grit and HC Dan Campbell instill that in his team. The Lions have the pieces to be one of the more surprising teams to watch this upcoming season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have found their QB of the future with Kenny Pickett and he has sure been shining in his moments throughout this preseason. The Steelers have built a great supporting cast to help the transition to big leagues seamlessly for the rookie.
This is the case of which backups come to play harder and it is hard to write off the Lions especially when they are getting points in the last and final preseason game.
