We are heading into Week 2 of the 2024 NFL preseason, and we saw plenty of intriguing action last week. However, when it comes to picks and predictions for this week’s matchups, we can throw out a good amount of what we saw last week, as teams will have very different game plans at different times during the preseason.
This week and next week tend to be when we see the majority of starting quarterbacks take snaps. For example, last year, the Miami Dolphins did not give Tua Tagovailoa any snaps in Week 1 of the preseason but then had him play a role in each of the next two weeks as he tuned up for the season.
Let’s examine the biggest storylines that could impact Week 2 of the 2024 preseason and make our picks and predictions for what we may see. Please note that all picks given in this article are extremely low-unit plays. At most, I’m putting a unit on each pick, and more likely a little less, unless I feel really strongly about any particular play.
Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets for Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason
Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens (-1)
- Moneyline: Falcons +100; Ravens -120
- Total: 35.5
It appears that the Baltimore Ravens will not take risks with Lamar Jackson this week, as John Harbaugh announced he won’t play against the Atlanta Falcons. This matches what happened last week when we saw the Ravens’ offense limp to 13 points against the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, this week, they face a Falcons defense that struggled against the Dolphins’ backups last week. Atlanta gave up 17 points in the first half against a Skylar Thompson-led offense. That makes me believe Baltimore should be capable of getting somewhere close to that 13-point mark again this week.
The Falcons’ offense also will not take major risks with Kirk Cousins; there’s just no reason to. That means it will likely be the same showing as last week when they scored 13 points against Miami.
I’m not expecting either offense to light it up this week, so the under is in play. As for the spread, this feels like it could be a one-score game either way, so I’m staying away from that.
Prediction: Ravens 14, Falcons 13
Pick: Under 35 total points
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears (-6.5)
- Moneyline: Bengals +225; Bears -278
- Total: 36.5
The Chicago Bears appear to be one of the more aggressive teams this preseason in terms of playing their starters, which makes sense when trying to bed in a rookie. They scored 33 points last week, albeit 21 of those came in the fourth quarter. They also had 21 points through three quarters in the Hall of Fame Game.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense allowed 17 points to a Kyle Trask and John Wolford-driven offense last week, which doesn’t fill me with confidence for this week. The Bears should be capable of getting back to that 20-point region if they continue riding with their starters.
On offense, the Bengals also used their starting QB last week, but are planning to sit most of their starters this week. That should make this a pretty one-sided affair unless Chicago’s defense completely capitulates.
Prediction: Bears 23, Bengals 10
Pick: Bears -6.5
New York Giants vs. Houston Texans (-2.5)
- Moneyline: Giants +136; Texans -162
- Total: 40
Last week, the New York Giants scored 14 points without any of their starters suiting up, which makes it intriguing, given that we could see Malik Nabers, Daniel Jones, etc., in Week 2. The Houston Texans’ defense struggled against the Bears in the Hall of Fame Game but did better last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Texans played some of their starters last week, but not all of them, and they scored 17 points in the first half. If the trend of Houston playing its starters holds, then the Texans giving the points makes a lot of sense. Given Jones’ injury history and Nabers’ already-existing injury in training camp, it would be a surprise if either plays many snaps.
The under feels in play here, but this game has 23-20 or 20-17 written all over it, so it could just sneak into the over. I would avoid the total and play the Texans -2.5 if you’re looking for some action.
Prediction: Texans 23, Giants 17
Pick: Texans -2.5
Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-7)
- Moneyline: Lions +260; Chiefs -325
- Total: 39.5
The rematch of last year’s season opener is fun in Kansas City this weekend. However, based on what we are hearing from the coaches ahead of the game, this looks to be a major mismatch in terms of their starters.
Andy Reid told reporters that his starters will get a half, and history tells us that Patrick Mahomes will play at least a quarter and maybe a little of the second quarter. In contrast, Dan Campbell said his starters are unlikely to play, outside of maybe some of the defensive linemen.
That leaves this as a fairly comprehensive game in favor of the Chiefs. The Lions scored just three points against the Giants last week, and while Kansas City was hardly much more successful with just 13 points, Mahomes played significantly less in that game.
The total here feels way too high at 39.5. Unless the Chiefs’ starters go crazy in the first half, it’s hard to comprehend how two teams that combined for 16 points last week suddenly more than double that number. I don’t love laying seven points on KC, but -4.5 in the first half is much more intriguing.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Lions 9
Picks: Chiefs -4.5 1H; Under 39.5
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns (-3)
- Moneyline: Vikings +140; Browns -166
- Total: 35
With J.J. McCarthy ruled out for the season, the Minnesota Vikings are understandably looking to play things safe with Sam Darnold in preseason. Throw in the injury for Jordan Addison, and there is little chance we’ll see much of the Vikings’ starters on offense in this game.
The Cleveland Browns are also not expected to play their starters, so this game will likely be low-scoring overall.
With McCarthy and Darnold, the Vikings scored 24 points last week, while Cleveland only managed 10 points with their backups. Jameis Winston will likely be the best quarterback in this game, and that tells me all I need to know — especially if Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy don’t play.
This game has a 10-9 or 13-10-type scoreline written all over it. Therefore, I’ll avoid the spread and just ride the under when it comes to the total.
Prediction: Browns 13, Vikings 10
Pick: Under 35
New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers (-1)
- Moneyline: Jets -108; Panthers -112
- Total: 31.5
The New York Jets weren’t completely terrible last week, given that none of their best players suited up, but they did need 10 fourth-quarter points to get to 20 for the game. That outcome is likely again this week, with the main starters unlikely to see the field much, if at all.
Dave Canales was fairly non-committal about the Carolina Panthers, but the general feeling around the media covering the team is that Bryce Young won’t play. Chuba Hubbard also had an injury scare in practice this week, so we don’t expect to see much of him either.
All told, this has the feel of a low-scoring game. The Panthers managed just three points last week, and if Andy Dalton isn’t going to play significant snaps, I don’t see that changing. The total feels a little bit risky that low, so I may just avoid this game altogether.
Prediction: Jets 13, Panthers 10
Pick: Lean Under 31.5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Cardinals +120; Colts -142
- Total: 36.5
The Indianapolis Colts went to town last week, scoring 30 points in an exciting game against the Denver Broncos. Indianapolis used Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco for a little bit of the game but still only scored 10 points in the first half. Their score was boosted by a fumble return TD and a late touchdown pass.
We know that Kyler Murray won’t see the field in preseason, which leaves the Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder show for the Arizona Cardinals. Last week, they scored 14 points, all of which came in the second half against the Saints. Now, they’re facing a defense that gave up 34 points last week.
The Broncos held nothing back against the Colts last week, which led to a weirdly high-scoring game. If Indianapolis gives up 30 points to Tune and Ridder, then it could raise serious questions about its defensive depth. I expect a lower-scoring game than that barn burner, but 35-40 points are very much in reach.
Prediction: Colts 20, Cardinals 17
Pick: No Play
Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins (-5)
- Moneyline: Commanders +190; Dolphins -230
- Total: 38
The indication coming out of Miami is that we will see Tua Tagovailoa and most of the starters this week. Whether that will extend to Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle is an intriguing question.
Last year, in Week 2 of the preseason, we saw a little of everyone, so that might be the case again this time around.
Jayden Daniels looks set to play for the Washington Commanders, but we have no idea how much. It’s likely a similar amount to last week or a little more but in a relatively safe version of the offense. He did use his legs to score a touchdown, but the Commanders still could only muster 10 points in the first half.
The Dolphins should be the better team, but we have no idea how long everyone is playing for. A full half of Daniels would change this entirely, so I’m avoiding any play here.
Prediction: Dolphins 21, Commanders 17
Pick: No Play
Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5)
- Moneyline: Bills +205; Steelers -250
- Total: 37.5
You might not believe it from the 33-6 scoreline last week, but the Buffalo Bills did actually play some of their starters last week. They didn’t play much, and they likely won’t again this week, plus the Bills’ backups got boat-raced by the Bears in the second half last week.
The Steelers hope to have Russell Wilson on the field this week so we could see all three of their quarterbacks. Pittsburgh scored all 12 of its points in the second half last week and has a lot still up for grabs when it comes to that offense, especially. This could be another tough second half for Buffalo.
My gut instinct is to go under 19.5 for the first half and then look to take the Steelers and them over at halftime if I’m looking for some more action. If both teams use starting units in the first half, this is likely a cagey opening before bursting into life in the second half.
Prediction: Steelers 20, Bills 17
Pick: Under 19.5 1H Points
Seattle Seahawks (-1) vs. Tennessee Titans
- Moneyline: Seahawks -125; Titans +105
- Total: 35.5
We’ve heard from Brian Callahan that the Tennessee Titans won’t play their starters this week, and yet, oddly, the line barely moved. It shifted a little, but not by what you would expect for some other teams — which basically sums up the Titans.
Tennessee scored 17 points last week with its starters and then managed just three points in the final 44 minutes of the game.
The Seahawks didn’t use Geno Smith last week and managed 16 points, which gives them a nice floor. They have a fun little QB battle between Sam Howell and PJ Walker, which should keep things competitive there. The Seahawks only giving a point feels odd here, so I would lean towards them.
These two combined for 33 points last week, and I think the Titans get a little worse without starters. Therefore, the under is also in play.
Prediction: Seahawks 17, Titans 10
Pick: Seahawks -1; Under 35.5
Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5)
- Moneyline: Rams +120; Chargers -142
- Total: 33.5
The Los Angeles Rams are taking preseason rest a step further than the rest of the NFL and are resting their head coach. Nope, that’s a new one for me as well. How that plays out is tough to call because Aubrey Pleasant may want to make a little statement within the confines of the parameters given to him.
That shouldn’t be too difficult against a Los Angeles Chargers team that we know won’t have Justin Herbert. The Chargers’ offense was woeful last week, and I don’t see it getting much better. I cannot work out why the Chargers are favored here after scoring three points last week.
I don’t picture this being an exciting game, and the total feels way too high, even in the low 30s. I don’t expect the Chargers to be as poor, but the value here is with the Rams and the under.
Prediction: Rams 13, Chargers 10
Pick: Rams ML; Under 33.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
- Moneyline: Buccaneers +124; Jaguars -148
- Total: 37
The Jacksonville Jaguars looked pretty good last week in scoring 26 points. All three quarterbacks played a solid game, and they scored 20 points in the first half. They also did well on defense, and it was all very lovely, even if a little meaningless in the grand scheme of the NFL. However, it does have meaning for Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t use Baker Mayfield and likely won’t give him significant playing time this week, either. They scored 10 of their 17 points in the second half but also restricted the Bengals’ backups to just seven points in more than three quarters.
Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard are engaged in a relatively fierce battle, which should make the Jaguars an offensive threat throughout the game. I would lean towards Jacksonville covering here and push on the total. This has the makings of a 20-17 or 23-17 type of game.
Prediction: Jaguars 23, Buccaneers 17
Pick: Lean Jaguars -2.5
Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-6.5)
- Moneyline: Cowboys +225; Raiders -278
- Total: 39
It basically sums up the Las Vegas Raiders’ plight that they are playing their starters and the Dallas Cowboys are not. Yet, I have little faith in them even winning the game.
The Raiders’ starters are not great, outside of Davante Adams, who I do not expect to do too much. However, they did score 23 points last week, while the Cowboys limped to 12.
I don’t expect we see much more from Dallas than that, but can Vegas get to 20? I’m not sure enough to bet them to cover, so my focus here is once again on the under for this game.
Prediction: Raiders 17, Cowboys 13
Pick: Under 39
New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers (-1)
- Moneyline: Saints -108; 49ers -112
- Total: 38.5
The New Orleans Saints head into San Francisco after an unconvincing preseason opener. Derek Carr played a little, but it took 10 second-half points to get to 16 for the game. Spencer Rattler was merely fine, and Jake Haener was efficient but unspectacular. Defensively, they held up fine against the Cardinals’ backups.
The 49ers were hardly more exciting. They scored touchdowns in the first and fourth quarters but did very little in between. On defense, they largely restricted a very mediocre Titans offense to 14 points in the first half and 17 in the game.
The two teams combined for 29 points last week and allowed a combined 31. I don’t see that changing significantly this week, so avoid the spread or moneyline and take the under.
Prediction: 49ers 14, Saints 13
Pick: Under 38.5
Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos (-7)
- Moneyline: Packers +260; Broncos -325
- Total: 39
Everything about the lines here respects what happened last week for both teams. The Green Bay Packers scored an early touchdown on a deep shot, had 17 points in the first half, and then went into cruise mode with little to prove after that point. They only allowed 10 points, but they were playing a Browns team with little to prove and without most of its main options.
The Denver Broncos scored 34 points last week and went hard throughout the game. They had 13 points at halftime and added 21 in the second half. All three quarterbacks on this roster want to start, which means they’ll play hard all game on offense. Denver also has things to figure out at RB and WR, so there’s a lot going on here.
I don’t want to lay the seven points in this game, but the Broncos have more motivation to keep going, and Jordan Love is not playing at all. I will take the Broncos -7 and lean to the over because I believe they could score close to 30 again.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Packers 13
Pick: Broncos -7; Lean Over 39