Now that Week 1 of the NFL preseason is officially in the books; we have one set of data points to extract some betting value from for the second set of exhibition contests. As a result, we've pinpointed three spots on the Week 2 preseason NFL betting card where betting value exits.
Below, we'll look at BetMGM's current odds on Week 2 of the preseason, detailing our three favorite wagers for this weekend's action on the gridiron.
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NFL preseason Week 2 best bets
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Giants vs. Panthers odds
- Spread: Giants -3 (-110); Panthers +3 (-110)
- Over/Under: OVER 39.5 (-110); UNDER 39.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Giants -160; Panthers +135
Best Bet: UNDER 39.5 (-110)
The Panthers' offense couldn't muster much of anything against the Jets in their preseason opener, putting up just 165 total yards on 3.4 yards per play in a 27-0 loss. The offensive line allowed five sacks, posting the fifth-lowest pass-blocking grade per PFF (54.2), and neither Bryce Young nor Matt Corral could move the sticks on third down, as Carolina converted only three-of-11 third downs.
We expect a better offensive output from Carolina this time, but we don't think it results in the Panthers and Giants combining for more than 40 points. Per PFF, the Giants and Panthers offenses both graded out as bottom-28 offenses last week, with their defenses posting top-10 grades.
While Bryce Young's likely to play more than two series as he did last Saturday, Daniel Jones and the Giants' first-team offense likely won't play more than a series or two. Expect a low-scoring, defensive-oriented contest in this one.
Colts vs. Bears odds
- Spread: Colts -3.5 (-110); Bears +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: OVER 40.5 (-110); UNDER 40.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Colts -175; Bears +145
Best Bet: Colts -3.5 (-110)
Sure, Justin Fields posted a perfect passer rating (3/3, 129 yards, two TDs) thanks to D.J. Moore and Khalil Herbert housing two screen passes against Tennessee last week, but outside of those two chunk plays from the first-team offense, the Bears reserve offense didn't do much. 129 of their 237 passing yards came on those two plays, as reserve QBs P.J. Walker, Nathan Peterman, and Tyson Bagent all posted sub-100 passer ratings.
Given Fields and the first-team offense don't score a TD each drive on Saturday night, Bears backers have to rely on Walker, Peterman, and Bagent to manufacture scoring drives, which shouldn't exude much confidence.
Although the Colts fell to the Bills in their preseason opener, we trust their QB room comprised of Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, and Sam Ehlinger more. Yes, Richardson threw an interception in his first drive, but his performance wasn't as poor as some made it out to be. Alec Pierce dropped a would-be touchdown on a perfectly placed touch pass from Richardson, but that play wasn't properly reflected in the box score.
Some bettors might do a double-take on this spread when looking at last week's results, but we'll gladly lay the 3.5-points to back the home favorites.
Commanders vs. Ravens odds
- Spread: Ravens -3 (-110); Commanders +3 (-110)
- Over/Under: OVER 38.5 (-110); UNDER 38.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Ravens -155; Commanders +130
Best Bet(s): Commanders +3 (-110) and moneyline (+130)
How could someone bet against the Ravens in the preseason? Well, for starters, while Baltimore extended their preseason winning streak to 24 games, they failed to cover the closing spread of seven points. Fourth-string QB Anthony Brown's crucial fourth-quarter pick-six almost ended their winning streak, but the Ravens' defense held firm on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, escaping with a narrow 20-19 win over the Eagles.
Additionally, Baltimore entered the locker room trailing 13-10 but put together a 13-play, 75-yard opening touchdown drive with last season's preseason MVP, Tyler Huntley, running the offense. With Huntley under center, the Ravens' offense looked just as crisp as it did last preseason. Unfortunately, Huntley pulled up with a hamstring injury on a scramble attempt and has yet to practice this week.
He looks like a longshot to play on Monday night, which isn't a good sign of the Ravens' chances to extend their preseason winning streak to 25 games. With Brown likely getting a ton of run in the second half of Monday night's game, we don't think the Ravens will generate enough offense to leave FedEx Field with a "W". Brown struggled immensely as a passer, going three of eight for seven yards, good for a passer rating of 6.3. We expect Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, and Jake Fromm to help lead Washington to the "upset" win.
