NFL Preseason Week 2 expert predictions, odds & best bets | Pickswise

Following a long and eventful offseason, the 2024 NFL campaign is just around the corner. Training camp has already produced a myriad of storylines across the league, and the preseason has started in earnest after last week’s full slate of games. 

Our preseason best bets column went 1-1 last week, as we cashed an under ticket in the Panthers vs Patriots game. This week, all 32 teams will take to the field once again for the second of a trio of preseason games, as each team looks to ease back into game shape while giving some run to its younger players and those looking to compete for a roster spot.

With Week 2 of the preseason kicking off on Thursday and rolling into the weekend, let’s take a look at the odds, plus my picks and best bets for the second week of NFL preseason action. 

Atlanta Falcons first half ML over Baltimore Ravens (+105)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.

For our first preseason Week 2 best bet, let’s take the Atlanta Falcons to win in the first half over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. As I mentioned before last week’s Games, John Harbaugh has long been known as a proven commodity both straight up and against the spread in the preseason in his career, even going undefeated for a whopping 6 consecutive seasons in the preseason. However, this Ravens teams is just 1-3 straight up and 0-4 against the spread since the start of the 2023 preseason, which might represent a change in the mentality of Harbaugh and his coaching staff in recent years. While I still believe in the culture that Harbaugh and company have created in Baltimore, it’s clear that the market has caught up a bit to this Ravens team. 

On the other side, the Falcons didn’t get a victory in their preseason debut against the Dolphins, but Atlanta did come out strong in the opening half of that contest. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looked very solid in his first taste of NFL action, and I expect that to continue in this matchup. I don’t like targeting the full game with Penix, as it’s very possible that he’ll sit in the second half, so let’s back the Falcons money line in the first half at plus money for our first best bet. 

Cleveland Browns -4.5 over Minnesota Vikings (-105)

Odds widely available at time of publishing.

For this second and final preseason Week 2 best bet, I’m going to target the Cleveland Browns to win and cover against the Minnesota Vikings. For those following along closely during training camp, it’s been a tumultuous last week or so for the Vikings, as they’ve suffered a number of difficult injuries including losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the season due to a torn meniscus. Minnesota has already lost 5 of the 7 preseason Games they have played under head coach Kevin O’Connell by 6 or more points, and given the injuries suffered over the past week or so, I suspect that the Vikings main goal in this contest will be to rest the majority of their starters and get out of the Game unscathed. Conversely, the Browns quarterback duo of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley is one that brings plenty of experience in this preseason setting. Cleveland should do enough on offense to build an early lead, and the Vikings might pack this one in by halftime given recent events.