ad_1]
By Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports activities NFL Analyst
The ultimate weekend of NFL preseason video games is upon us. It looks like we had been simply watching the NFL Draft yesterday. And now right here we’re, T-minus two weeks till the common season kicks off.
As excited as all of us are, there’s nonetheless some exhibition soccer left to play earlier than we will get to the primary occasion. Saturday, particularly, can be jampacked with eight contests. However I am specializing in three video games from this remaining preseason week, with picks that can hopefully earn us all some money.
Let’s dive into my wagers for Week 3 of this NFL preseason, with all odds via FOX Bet.
THURSDAY
Packers @ Chiefs (8 p.m. ET, NFLN)
Each groups are going to have hassle scoring Thursday night time. The Packers will not be enjoying Aaron Rodgers or any of their starters. Heck, Inexperienced Bay may not even play backup quarterback Jordan Love, and he has gotten a majority of the quarterback reps for the staff this preseason.
Kansas Metropolis will not play its starters, both. However the Chiefs’ beginning items did carry out exceptionally properly in opposition to the Commanders in a matchup they gained 14-0. Nonetheless, when the Chiefs don’t play their starters on offense within the preseason, they don’t rating.
The Chiefs have solely scored a mixed 36 second-half factors over their previous 5 preseason video games. As I’ve said earlier than, Andy Reid’s major aim for preseason video games is getting his first-team offense able to play whereas the backups are simply working a generic offense. With the backups, Reid would not try to script for max success like he does with those.
So the Chiefs gained’t rating on this recreation. And with the Packers’ backups enjoying all recreation, I’d anticipate the identical low-scoring output from them as properly.
PICK: Under 36 points scored by both teams combined
FRIDAY
Seahawks @ Cowboys (8 p.m. ET, NFLN)
I do know the Seahawks have been pungent this preseason, however they want this recreation greater than the Cowboys. Seattle continues to be going by a quarterback battle, and I might anticipate Drew Lock — who didn’t play in Week 2 due to COVID-19 — to get loads of the reps for the Seahawks.
Due to the QB battle, the Seahawks will deal with this recreation with extra respect and preparation than their counterparts. Dallas, by the way in which, is coached by Mike McCarthy, and his preseason document in opposition to the unfold (ATS) is below 50%. On the opposite facet is Pete Carroll, who — regardless of not protecting the primary two video games of this preseason — continues to be 62% ATS within the preseason.
PICK: Seahawks (-7 at FOX Bet) to win by more than 7 points
SATURDAY
Commanders @ Ravens (7 p.m., TV TBA)
The Ravens have gained 22 straight preseason video games, they usually’ve lined in 19 of these 22 matchups. I do know it appears wild, however there’s a proof.
Ravens’ opponents don’t put together for his or her offense within the preseason, and the Ravens are typically a technically sound staff. They don’t flip the ball over they usually play good protection. Additionally, Baltimore’s backup quarterbacks have crushed the preseason. Tyler Huntley has accomplished an superior 29 of 32 passes (91%) and rookie Anthony Brown has gone 20 of 28 (71%).
The Commanders don’t play the Ravens this common season, so there’s little to achieve from spending any actual devoted time making ready a recreation plan for this remaining preseason recreation. It is also value noting that the Commanders have spent many of the preseason being blah. They wanted 15 factors within the fourth quarter in opposition to Carolina of their first preseason recreation to complete with a two-point loss. In opposition to Kansas Metropolis, they solely scored seven factors within the second half.
Ravens are the simple wager right here.
PICK: Ravens (-6.5 at FOX Bet) to win by more than 6.5 points
Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior yr. He’s an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
Download the FOX Super 6 app to your likelihood to win 1000’s of {dollars} on the largest sporting occasions every week! Simply make your picks and you could possibly win the grand prize. Download and play today!
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra.
