Week 1 of the NFL returns, with the first full week of preseason beginning on Thursday, featuring six games. Let’s take an inside look at all six matchups.
Green Bay at Pittsburgh (NFL Network), 7pmET:
Odds: Green Bay -1.5.
Total: 40.5
Aaron Rodgers is well past 40 and will sit this one out. The Steelers are banged up in the secondary right now with Joe Porter Jr. (back) out along with Jalen Ramsey (knee), but they should return by the regular season. Star Edge Micah Parsons (ACL) will likely miss the first month of the regular season, while TE Tucker Kraft (ACL) is questionable. Green Bay is a slight favorite because QB Jordan Love is expected to play, but expect maybe a series at most as he sustained a thumb injury in last year’s preseason opener. Either way, head coach Matt LaFleur indicated that many starters will play. As for the Steelers, even though Rodgers isn’t playing, they have a pretty good QB rotation of backups. New coach Mike McCarthy hasn’t mentioned whether Mason Rudolph will play, but he could just use second-year QB Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. However, McCarthy seems to be hedging on what to do since the offense has been struggling with the new system.
Line Moves: Pittsburgh opened at -2 on Aug. 7 and moved to Green Bay -1.5 at 5pmET
Notes: Mike McCarthy was 3-6 SU in his last 9 preseason games. LaFleur is 6-3 SU in his last 9 preseason games.
Detroit at Cincinnati, 7pmET:
Odds: Cincinnati -6.5
Total: 37.5
Cincy is the favorite as their key starters, including Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and new DT Dexter Lawrence, are expected to see some snaps. Burrow played nearly a 1/4 of the preseason snaps last season. But he wound up suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2 and was never the same. Detroit is not expected to play any strarters. They also have injury issues with safety Kerby Joseph (knee) out with an injury and personal issues. He and Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch (Achilles) are expected to miss the first few games. QB Joshua Dobbs is back with Detroit after backup Teddy Bridgewater decided to retire again. Luke Altmyer is expected to get heavy snaps on Thursday with Dobbs probably getting some reps as the backup.
Line Moves: Opened at Cincinnati -4 on Aug 7 and is -6.5 at 10:30pmET on Aug 12.
The total has remained steady at 37.
Notes: Cincy coach Zac Taylor is 4-14 SU and 1-7 the last 8 in preseason. Dan Campbell is 5-10 overall SU in preseason and 2-4 his last 6, including 0-3 last season.
Indianapolis at New England, 7:30pmET.
Odds: Indy -2.5
Total: 37.0
The Colts have an interesting backup QB situation. Daniel Jones won’t play as expected, but Anthony Richardson Sr., who has been rumored to be in potential trade talks, is starting the first half. That means that Riley Leonard, who is pushing for the backup role, will start the second half, and next week will start the first half against Atlanta with Richardson replacing him in the second half. The Patriots won’t play Drake Maye on Thursday at QB. He’s getting plenty of action in practice this week against the Colts in a joint practice, throwing to his new receiver A.J. Brown. Expect a lot of Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton at QB.
Line Moves: New England opened at -1.5 on Aug. 7 and moved to Indy -2.5 on Aug 12.
Notes: Both coaches are around .500 in preseason. Vrabel is 7-4 SU in his last 11 games.
Arizona at Las Vegas, 8pmET (ESPN Unlimited):
Odds: Las Vegas -2.5
Total: 41
Arizona opened last week with a 33-30 loss to Carolina on a last-second TD run from Haynes King. Rookie Carson Beck was a revelation with 188 yards passing on 15 of 18, while backup Kedon Slovis was 9 of 10 for 106 yards. Jacoby Brissett and the starters are expected to get some time on Thursday. The Raiders are expected to play the starters in this one, but all eyes will be on first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to see some time with the starting offensive line.
Line Moves: Vegas opened at -1.5 on Aug 7 and moved to 2.5 on Aug 12 at 7:36pmET.
Notes: Klint Kubiak is coaching his first preseason game for the Raiders while Mike LeFleur is coaching his second preseason game with Arizona.
LA Chargers at Houston, 8pmET:
Odds: Houston -1
Total: 36.5
Jim Harbaugh needs to solidify some offensive line spots, so he’ll start some key players, but rest Justin Herbert and most of the starters. New OC Mike McDaniel may hold back some of his offensive tricks, but you never know with him. He and Harbaugh will be looking to solidify the left guard spot with at least three players in the mix. The Texans will rest most of the starters or play them very little. Rookie center Keylan Rutledge and second-year players WR Jayden Higgins and LT Aireontae Ersery could see some time.
Line Moves: Line has remained steady at Houston -1. The total opened at 37 on Aug 10 and moved to 36.5 at 11:17pmET on Aug 12.
Notes: Jim Harbaugh is 13-10 overall in preseason SU and 3-4 with the Chargers. DeMeco Ryans is 7-3 SU in preseason.
Tennessee vs. San Francisco, 9pmET (NFL Network).
Odds: Tennessee -5
Total: 40
The 49ers at home, but considering their injury past (CMAC) and even Kyle Shanahan’s rough off-season (car accident), this is more about building depth for them. Mac Jones is as good a backup as there is in the league. He should get some snaps, but they might not want to risk him playing too long with Brock Purdy’s injury history. As for Tennessee, Robert Saleh usually plays to win and the offense has to get used to new OC Brian Daboll. Cam Ward is expected to start with a four-man rotation at QB. Because the offense struggled in a joint practice against the 49ers and especially the O-line, Daboll might want to see at least a quarter of the starters
Line Moves: Tennessee opened at -2.5 on Aug 7, while fluctuating from -6 at 10:04pmET on Aug 12 to landing at -2.5 at 11:21pmET.
Notes: Robert Saleh takes over at Tennessee. He was 10-2 SU in preseason with the Jets. Shanahan is 14-12 SU overall in preseason.
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