With Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason upon us, what are our picks and predictions for all 16 games? Let’s take a look at this week’s betting odds and how we think the games will go, including our picks and predictions against the spread — as well as moneylines — based on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Week 2 NFL preseason predictions and picks against the spread
Week 2 is sure to feature plenty of surprises, making predictions a little tougher than typical in-season games. That said, based on the presence of rookies and depth-chart battles, we can assess the probability of certain game scripts, which are more likely than not to lead to particular outcomes.
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) vs. Chicago Bears
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 18
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Week 2 opens up with two teams staring at potential sub-.500 seasons. The Bears are rebuilding, though that process has hit a snag with questions surrounding Justin Fields as a franchise QB. The Seahawks probably should be rebuilding, but are gearing up for a massive QB upgrade in 2023.
Tonight’s contest hinges on how much we see of Fields and Trevor Siemian vs. Geno Smith. A Nathan Peterman vs. Jacob Eason battle could go either way. But if Smith gets plenty of run (with Drew Lock sidelined), then Seattle holds the advantage . . . unless Fields and Siemian lead the Bears for most of the game. My money is on Chicago to bring just enough firepower to overwhelm a Seahawks franchise already slowed by injuries.
Against the spread: Bears
Moneyline: Bears
New England Patriots (-2.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
- Date: Friday, Aug. 19
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
After last week, the Patriots have now lost only four preseason games since Aug. 31, 2017, and three of those defeats came against the Giants. I trust head coach Bill Belichick to bounce back. Not that this game matters in the standings. But he’s a master of week-to-week corrections. Expect better execution and more snaps from the guys he hopes will help carry this team to the playoffs.
Against the spread: Patriots
Moneyline: Patriots
Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. New Orleans Saints
- Date: Friday, Aug. 19
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
New Orleans has finished with a better record than Green Bay only twice in the last eight seasons. But this year’s Saints might be their best unit on both sides of the ball since 2013. While Romeo Doubs could continue to light it up for the Packers, I’m anticipating a strong showing for New Orleans in a game where we might see their starters the most until Week 1.
Against the spread: Saints
Moneyline: Saints
Los Angeles Rams (-2) vs. Houston Texans
- Date: Friday, Aug. 10
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET
Dameon Pierce has been a great story, while Davis Mills and Brandin Cooks exceeded most expectations last year. But even if the Rams play their backups for most of Friday’s faceoff, it’s hard to envision Houston mounting enough of a challenge to overtake the Super Bowl champions. I’m expecting more from Kyren Williams, Lance McCutcheon, and Tutu Atwell.
Against the spread: Rams
Moneyline: Rams
Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. Denver Broncos
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
How many snaps will the starters get? It’s a familiar question, and it means even more in a matchup of two Super Bowl contenders with stacked offenses. Two extra drives for Denver’s starters easily could mean a two-touchdown victory. This is truly a toss-up game, and the Broncos have more work to do to get their prized offseason acquisition (Russell Wilson) gelling with his offense.
Against the spread: Broncos
Moneyline: Broncos
Indianapolis Colts (+1.5) vs. Detroit Lions
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
See Bills vs. Broncos above. Not that the Lions are Super Bowl contenders (yet). But the Colts are built to make a push this year, while Detroit’s offense should be vastly improved over last year’s when injuries undercut any hopes of a surprising win total.
My tiebreaker concerns the Colts’ QB battle at the No. 2 spot, where Nick Foles is trying to hold off Sam Ehlinger. I expect these two to face off again, leading to more scoring drives as they try to outdo each other.
Against the spread: Colts
Moneyline: Colts
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) vs. Washington Commanders
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 4 p.m. ET
The Chiefs have more new faces on offense than we’ve seen in years. But even if we barely see their starters, they should win this one. Their rookies alone can do enough damage to help carry Kansas City to a preseason win. However, I expect Washington to keep it close, as Brian Robinson continues to push for starter’s snaps alongside the (temporarily?) stumbling Antonio Gibson.
Against the spread: Commanders
Moneyline: Chiefs
Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
The Jaguars continue to play with seemingly nothing to lose. Of course, injuries to their No. 1 WR and (likely) No. 1 RB last preseason demonstrated that, actually, they have a lot to lose.
So I expect to see a surprisingly talented unit get enough run to put 20+ points on the board, and I also expect Pittsburgh’s fierce three-way QB battle to bring out the best in at least two of the Steelers’ play-callers. This could be a close game and a very high-scoring one.
Against the spread: Steelers
Moneyline: Jaguars
Miami Dolphins (+1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Skylar Thompson vs. Jarrett Stidham and Nick Mullens? Let’s remember that this is Game 2 for the Dolphins and Game 3 for the Raiders. We might see more from fourth-string Vegas QB Chase Garbers than any of his QB teammates.
Although the Raiders still face some serious depth-chart questions, most of these can be answered during the season. There’s more pressure on Miami to start some of their key guys, test out plays, and round into form ahead of a make-or-break season.
Against the spread: Dolphins
Moneyline: Dolphins
Tennessee Titans (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
A fully healthy Titans might have won the Super Bowl last year. It’s easy to forget that they were a few minutes — and one fourth-and-1 conversion — away from likely beating the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
Tennessee’s No. 1 priority this month is to get healthy and stay healthy. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, had their own late-season injury miseries, so this game is a battle between two teams that might play things a little safer than usual. I prefer the Bucs’ depth.
Against the spread: Buccaneers
Moneyline: Buccaneers
Minnesota Vikings (-4.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
I don’t understand this point spread. This game appears to be another toss-up, as we don’t yet know which starters will face off on each side. As it stands, the Niners’ backfield is loaded with prove-it players such as Jeff Wilson and Trey Sermon, and their receiving corps includes one of my favorite DFS starters from last week, Danny Gray.
All of them should see work, even if they’re not heavily involved in Week 1 of the regular season. And I trust Trey Lance is a better bet to get more work (he probably needs it) than veteran Kirk Cousins.
Against the spread: 49ers
Moneyline: 49ers
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET
If this were the regular season — and if Michael Gallup and James Washington were healthy — I’d be comfortable picking the Cowboys to cover the spread. Although, in that scenario, the spread might be a pick ‘em.
Both of these teams have the offensive weapons to post 40+ points with their starters. Since this is the preseason, I’m intrigued by the Chargers’ backfield battle for the coveted No. 2 job. Joshua Kelley appears to have leapfrogged Isaiah Spiller, but don’t count out Spiller just yet.
Against the spread: Chargers
Moneyline: Chargers
Cleveland Browns (+2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 21
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
How much will Deshaun Watson play, and will it even matter? More to the point, how much of a distraction is he for a team that thought they were playoff bound when they acquired him?
This game is about two franchises going in different directions. Philly is on the rise, and we should see enough usage from Kenneth Gainwell, Quez Watkins, and other impressive tertiary options to give them the edge.
Against the spread: Eagles
Moneyline: Eagles
New York Giants (-5.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 21
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Cincinnati has little to prove, and their most important offensive depth-chart battle remains Chris Evans vs. Samaje Perine. Assuming we see a lot more from Brandon Allen and Jake Browning, this should be a fairly conservative offense on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Giants are facing more questions than answers. But I’m expecting more from Wan’Dale Robinson and remain impressed with Jashaun Corbin — my longtime pick to back up Saquon Barkley. The Giants should throw enough at Cincy to get the win.
Against the spread: Bengals
Moneyline: Giants
Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 21
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
I pushed Isaiah Likely last week, and he looked the part in his first NFL action. He, Mike Davis, Tyler Badie, and other non-starters should do enough to overwhelm an Arizona team that might not see much from their starters. And any work from Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley would be icing on the cake, as their second team might be among the best in the AFC.
Against the spread: Ravens
Moneyline: Ravens
New York Jets (+2) vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Date: Monday, Aug. 22
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Zach Wilson’s injury throws the Jets into a bit of turmoil. Last year, Wilson missed four games, Michael Carter missed three, Elijah Moore missed six, and Corey Davis missed eight.
I’m anticipating a play-it-safe contest for a youthful franchise that’s playing more for 2023 and 2024. On the other hand, a fun depth-chart battle between the Falcons’ Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder should give Atlanta enough points to claim victory comfortably.
Against the spread: Falcons
Moneyline: Falcons