Week 1 of the NFL returns, with the first full week of preseason. Let’s take an inside look at Friday and Saturday’s matchups.

Denver at Atlanta (ESPN Unlimited), 7pmET: 

Odds: Denver -5.5

Total: 40

Line Moves:  Denver opened at 5.5 and moved to -6.5 on Thursday at 4:39pmET. 

Notes: Sean Payton (Denver) is 36-33 SU in preseason, but is 6-0 his last 6 games. Kevin Stefanski (Atl) was 7-7 in Cleveland.

QB Rotations: Tua Tagovailoa will start for Atlanta, though the starters will play just one series. Michael Penix is coming off a knee injury and is not going to play. Expect Cooper Rush and Jack Strand to play most of the game. Denver will go with backup Jarrett Stidham as the starter with Bo Nix expected to play some in Weeks 2 and 3. Sam Ehlinger will be the backup.

Tampa Bay at NY Jets, 7pmET (NFL Network):

Odds:  NY Jets -6

Total: 36.5

Line Moves: Jets opened at -1 on Aug 10, while moving to -6 on Aug. 13.

Notes: Todd Bowles is 13-16 SU overall but 6-3 SU his last 9 preseason games. Aaron Glenn was 1-2 SU in his first preseason.

QB Rotations: Baker Mayfield is sitting out for Tampa Bay, and with Jake Browning (back) injured, Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels should play the entire game. The Jets will play their starters in every game according to HC Aaron Glenn, including Game 1. That means Geno Smith will get some run, including Cade Klubnik, the fourth-round pick from Clemson.

Miami at Washington, 7pmET. 

Odds: Washington -3

Total:  36.5

Line Moves: Washington opened at -1 on Aug 7 and moved to -3 on on Aug. 11, where it remains.

Notes: Dan Quinn is 7-19 SU in preseason and 2-16 SU in his last 18. Jeff Hafley is a new coach.

QB Rotations: Dan Quinn announced that Jayden Daniels will not play so Marcus Mariota should play the first half. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis could see time in the second half for Washington. Miami is expected to start Malik Willis, who is entrenched as the starter. . However, Miami backup Quin Ewers has had an uneven camp but is still the backup based on experience. If he struggles, they might decide to trade for another backup QB.

Saturday, Aug 15

Carolina at Buffalo, 1pmET: 

Odds: Buffalo -3

Total: 38.5

Line Moves: Buffalo opened at -2.5 and moved to -3 on Thursday night.

Notes:  Joe Brady is a new coach for Buffalo, but a former OC. Dave Canales and Carolina won last week in the HOF game, but he’s still just 2-4 SU in the preseason.

QB Rotations: Bryce Young did not play last week and will likely sit again for this one. RB Chuba Hubbard is injured and won’t play. Buffalo will play their healthy starters including Josh Allen, but expect Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele to get the most run.

Cleveland at Chicago, 1pmET (NFL Net):

Odds: Cleveland -3.5

Total: 40

Line Moves: The line opened at Chicago -1 on Aug 7 and jumped to Cleveland -3 on Aug. 13.

Notes: Cleveland NC Todd Monken, former OC in Baltimore, is coaching his first preseason game. HC Ben Johnson was 2-0 SU last season in his first preseason.

QB Rotations: Cleveland will start Deshaun Watson, and Shedeur Sanders will play the 2nd half. Chicago will start backup Tyson Bagent, and veteran Case Keenum is available for the second half. Caleb Williams will sit this one out.

Minnesota at NY Giants, 1pmET (ESPN Unlimited)

Odds: NY Giants -1.5

Total: 41.5

Line moves: The Vikes opened as a 3-point favorite on Aug 10 and moved to the Giants -1.5 on Aug 13 at 9:05pmET. 

Notes: New Giants HC John Harbaugh is 48-16 overall in preseason, including winning 23 straight at one point with Baltimore. Kevin O’Connell is 4-8 SU in preseason.

QB Rotations: With Minnesota naming Kyler Murray as the starter, expect to see a lot of J.J. McCarthy, who might be on the trade block. Expect most of the Giants starters to sit out, including WR Malik Nabers. However, the spotlight will be on Odell Beckham Junior’s return to the Giants for the first time since 2018 as he fights for a roster spot. Expect a lot of Jameis Winston in the first half with Brandon Allen cleaning up in the second half.

LA Rams at Kansas City, 4pmET (NFL Network):

Odds: Kansas City -2.5

Total: 36.5

Line Moves: KC opened at -1.5 on Aug 7 and moved to -2.5 on Aug 11, which remained there.

Notes: Andy Reid is 46-53 SU in preseason and 0-6 SU in the last two seasons. Sean McVay is 11-16 SU overall and 4-2 SU in his last 6. 

QB Rotations: Patrick Mahomes normally plays a series or two in preseason. But considering he’s coming off a knee injury, the Chiefs will go with new backup Justin Fields, followed by Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun. The Rams will go with Stetson Bennett as the starter, sitting Matthew Stafford. Rookie Ty Simpson, the 13th overall pick, will see action, likely in the second half. 

Jacksonville at New Orleans, 4pmET (ESPN Unlimited).

Odds: Jacksonville -1.5

Total: 35.5

Line Moves: The Saints opened at -2 on Aug 10 and moved to Jacksonville -1.5 on Aug 13. 

Notes: Kellen Moore was 0-2 SU in his first preseason in 2025. Liam Coen (Jax) was 0-2 SU in his first preseason in 2025. 

QB Rotations: Spencer Rattler will start for New Orleans as most starters are expected to be held out according to Moore. That means starter Tyler Shough will sit, and Zach Wilson along with Hunter Dekkers should get some time. Trevor Lawrence will not play, along with all key starters. Backup Carter Bradley is expected to get extensive playing time, with Nick Mullens and Joe Aguilar also potentially getting reps.

Philadelphia at Baltimore, 7pmET (ESPN Unlimted):

Odds: Philadelphia -1.5

Total: 37

Line Moves: Philly opened at -2 on Aug. 7 and has moved up and down before settling at -1.5 on Thursday afternoon. 

Notes: Nick Sirianni is 5-8 SU overall in preseason and 4-2 his last six games. This is Jesse Minter’s first preseason game for Baltimore. 

QB Rotations: Neither starter will go. That means Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton will get plenty of time for the Eagles. New OC Sean Mannion will get his first live action. For Baltimore, it’s Tyler Huntley in the first half. Baltimore has a brand new coaching staff and a 30-year-old OC in Declan Doyle. Rookie Joe Fagnano and veteran Austin Reed could see time in the second half.

Dallas at Seattle, 8pmET (NFL Network):

Odds: Seattle -2.5

Total: 39.5

Line Moves: The spread opened at Seattle -2.5 and remained there on Aug. 13 at 4:38pmET.

Notes:  HC Brian Schottenheimer was 1-2 SU in 2025 in his first season for Dallas. Mike Macdonald is 3-2 SU in preseason in five games. 

QB Rotations: No game plan has been announced for either team late Thursday night, so check status on Friday. But expect this to be a backup game for Dallas. Veteran Dak Prescott doesn’t need a preseason. He has Joe Milton III and Sam Howell behind him. Sam Darnold has Drew Lock, who should play the first half and Jalen Milroe in the second half. But Darnold might play at some point in preseason.

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Week 1 of Preseason Football starts this TONIGHT! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 15 from Philadelphia: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry. Wins FIVE straight weeks. Average clients up over $8,250!
  _____________________________________________________________________

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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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Week 1 of Preseason Football starts this TONIGHT! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 15 from Philadelphia: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry. Wins FIVE straight weeks. Average clients up over $8,250!
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Bettors beware. There’s nothing wrong with accumulating all the information available, even in training camp. If you play the games in preseason, it’s crucial to know every little tidbit about each team. Even if you wait until the regular season, injuries do happen in training camp. Let’s go over some of the key situations over the last week in training camp.

Arizona: HC Mike LeFleur said that the Cardinals’ starters will play 1-2 series in their second preseason game.

Atlanta: Michael Penix Jr. still has not been cleared for 11-on-11 work, so Tua Tagovailoa will likely get the starting QB job. 

Baltimore: The Ravens nearly lost starting CB Nate Wiggins for a length period in practice on Tuesday, but it turned out there was no structural damage to his knee. No timetable was mentioned for his return.

Buffalo: DC Jim Leonhard mentioned that starters will play Saturday in the preseason opener, but didn’t mention how long. 

Carolina: The Panthers added third-string QB Kyle Trask to replace the injured rookie Haynes King. WR Ja’seem Reed has been a standout so far. 

Chicago: Safety Coby Bryan will be out 4-6 months after undergoing knee surgery. Bryant was a free agent pickup from Seattle, who had four picks for the Seahawks last season.

Cincinnati: The Bengals will play their starters briefly on Thursday, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and new DT Dexter Lawrence II. 

Cleveland: The Browns haven’t announced whether QB Deshaun Watson will play on Saturday against the Bears, but they did list “Watson OR Shedeur Sanders” at starting QB on the official depth chart. Some say it is Watson’s job to lose, but Sanders could make a statement with a strong preseason.

Denver: There is competition for the backup QB job. Sam Ehlinger has moved the offense in drills and is pushing Jarrett Stidham, who is listed as No. 2.

Detroit: Backup RB Isiah Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in practice. Don’t expect him to play in the preseason and the Lions hope he’s ready for the regular season.

Green Bay: Good news as WRs Matthew Golden (toe), Jayden Reed (ankle) and TE Josh Whyle (neck) have returned to practice. 

Indianapolis: Despite having issues in camp, QB Anthony Richardson will start on Thursday for the Colts against the Patriots. He’s considered a trade candidate, so the Colts are possibly showcasing him. 

Jacksonville: Head coach Liam Coen said that the starters will not play in their preseason opener against the Saints on Thursday. 

LA Chargers: LT Rashawn Slater has been dealing with a knee flare-up, and while it might not be a major issue, it’s something worth keeping an eye on considering the Chargers’ issues on the O-line last season.

LA Rams: They are dealing with key injuries, as DE Myles Garrett (knee) and Puka Nucua (unknown) are sidelined, but the injuries 

Las Vegas: HC Klint Kubiak said that the starters will play on Thursday in their opener against Arizona. Even though Kirk Cousins is expected to be the starting QB during the regular season, rookie Fernando Mendoza is likely to see plenty of time in the opener, possibly in the first quarter behind the first-team O-line. 

Minnesota: Kyler Murray was named starting QB before the first preseason game was played. That means that J.J. McCarthy will get a chance to showcase his skills in preseason. 

NY Jets: It’s just camp, but it could be another long season in Jetsland. Geno Smith threw 3 picks in a joint practice with Tampa Bay on Tuesday, including a pick-six. Expect Smith and the starters to play on Friday against Tampa Bay. 

San Francisco: Christian McCaffrey is once again dealing with tightness in his hamstring. Check status but surely he won’t play in the preseason.

Tampa Bay: Jake Browning (back) was reportedly injured in practice on Tuesday. He was expected to start against the Jets on Friday, but if he’s not ready to go, then the Bucs will have to go to third-string Connor Bazelak.

Tennessee: HC Robert Saleh said that he’s basically going to play everyone in their preseason opener on Thursday against the 49ers, including the starters for a couple of series. 

Washington: LT Laremy Tunsill (triceps) will miss most of the season. K Jake Moody has really struggled in practice, missing 11 field goal attempts in four practices. 

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Week 1 of Preseason Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 15 from Philadelphia: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry. Wins FIVE straight weeks. Average clients up over $8,250!
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When it comes to preseason football, knowledge is power. Trends are not always applicable in the regular season because teams change in the NFL, but in the preseason, coaches (who return) usually have a philosophy when it comes to the preseason. Some want to win, some don’t care and most just want to get through without major injuries. Let’s take a look at the current coaches minus new guys with no experience: Joe Brady (Buffalo), Todd Monken (Cleveland), Klint Kubiak (Raiders), Jesse Minter (Baltimore), and Jeff Hafley (Miami).

Arizona: Mike LaFleur 0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS

Atlanta: Kevin Stefanski 8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS

Chicago: Ben Johnson 2-0-1 SU, 1-1-1 ATS

Carolina: Dave Canales 2-5 SU, 1-6 ATS.

Cincinnati: Zac Taylor 4-14 SU, 4-14 ATS

Dallas: Brian Schottenheimer 1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS.

Denver: Sean Payton 36-33 SU, 36-33 ATS

Detroit: Dan Campbell 6-10 SU, 7-9 ATS

Green Bay: Matt LaFleur 9-10 SU, 9-10 ATS

Houston: DeMeco Ryans 7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS

Indianapolis: Shane Steichen 5-4 SU, 5-4 ATS

Jacksonville: Liam Coen 0-2-1 SU, 0-3 ATS

Kansas City: Andy Reid 46-53 SU, 47-50-2 ATS.

LA Chargers: Jim Harbaugh 13-10 SU, 13-10 ATS

LA Rams: Sean McVay 12-16 SU, 15-11-1 ATS

Minnesota: Kevin O’Connell 4-8 SU, 5-7 ATS

New England: Mike Vrabel 9-8 SU, 7-8-2 ATS

New Orleans: Kellen Moore 0-2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS

NY Giants: John Harbaugh 47-17 SU, 47-17 ATS

NY Jets Aaron GLenn 1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS

Philadelphia: Nick Siriani 5-8-2 SU, 6-8-1 ATS

Pittsburgh: Mike McCarthy 31-32 SU, 30-33 ATS

Seattle: Mike Macdonald 3-2-1 SU, 3-3 ATS

San Francisco: Kyle Shanahan 14-12-1 ATS, 15-11-1 ATS

Tampa Bay: Todd Bowles 13-15 SU, 15-13 ATS

Tennessee: Robert Saleh 10-2-1 SU, 10-3 ATS

Washington: Dan Quinn 7-20 SU, 7-19-1 ATS 

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Week 1 of Preseason Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 15 from Philadelphia: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry. Wins FIVE straight weeks. Average clients up over $8,250!
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We’re finally here. That’s Week 1 of preseason, and unlike the regular season, these games can be odd at times, which is why having a strategy before betting on these games is crucial to winning.

1)Quarterback Depth. Unlike the regular season, you really don’t need to know who Josh Allen or Matthew Stafford’s backup is. But in the preseason, those guys aren’t playing, so not only are their backups key, but the third-stringers as well. Some starters will play a series or two, so it’s important to find that information. Here are a couple of recent stories about QBs in the preseason.

A)Kyle Trask was signed by Carolina because rookie Haynes King injured his hamstring in the Hall of Fame Game last week. King was the third-stringer behind Kenny Pickett and Trask, who has familiarity with OC Brad Idzik, seems to be the second-half QB with King likely out of preseason.

B)In Detroit, Teddy Bridgewater has retired again, so the Lions signed veteran Joshua Dobbs to be Jared Goff’s backup.  Dobbs was Drake Maye’s backup last season in New England.

C)In Indianapolis, Anthony Richardson Sr. is having issues in camp, which means he’s fighting to be the backup behind Daniel Jones. That means Riley Leonard has a chance to win that job if he plays well in camp and preseason.

2)Find out who actually wants to win the game. Coaching philosophy isn’t that difficult to figure out except for the new coaches. But many will give out their game plan during the week when they mention these factors:

• How many snaps starters will receive (1 quarter or less is normal)
• Whether the coach has historically played aggressively in preseason
• Whether the team is evaluating a QB competition
• Whether young players are fighting for roster spots
• Whether the team has a joint practice schedule instead.

3)Offensive line depth. If there is a QB battle (Minnesota for example), most of the key offensive linemen might play early on just to make sure the QBs have time to throw. Some teams have awful depth on the line, and if that’s the case, it will be tough for them to produce anything offensively. There are plenty of sites that rate each line, including PFF.

4)Totals can be tricky. Most are low, but they’re sensitive to personnel. 

The under is usually the play unless there is a QB competition or the defensive depth is weak or the backup QBs are experienced and nearly as good as the starters. 

A mediocre offense can be an under candidate if you’re looking at two teams likely to cycle through inexperienced QBs. 

5)Wait to bet until key information is available. Wednesday for Thursday games, Thursday for Friday games, etc. Rushing to bet even if the lines are soft may not be wise. Wait until you know:

• QB Rotations
• Expected Start snaps
• Injuries
• Players being rested
• Comments from the coach
• Beat-reporter observations
• Whether key rookies will play

If you don’t know these factors about each team, skip the game.

6)Key rules of betting preseason games

A)Don’t bet without knowing the QB rotation.

B)Don’t automatically bet the under just because it’s fashionable.

C)Look for teams with three playable QBs.

D)Shop for the best number as every half point matters.

E)Keep stakes smaller than regular season wagers.

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Week 1 of Preseason Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
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Let’s take a look at the top sporting events to bet on this weekend, and let’s remember that this is the last weekend with no football until February of 2027. 

1)Baseball is back as the pennant races get tighter. In the American League, Texas (57-58) will meet Baltimore (56-59) with Seattle, Cleveland, Detroit, the Orioles, Twins, and Rangers within 1.5 games of the final wild card spot. The National League is not as tight, with Arizona (61-54) trying to pull away with a 2-game lead over San Diego for the final wild card spot. 

Another big series will feature Atlanta (69-45) at the NY Yankees (64-51).  Cleveland (57-59) will face the White Sox (59-54) on the road. 

In interleague action, Houston (59-57), who leads Texas by 1.5 games in the AL West, will travel to San Diego to take on the Padres (59-56). Finally, the LA Dodgers (69-46) face Arizona (61-54) in NL West action.

The Dodgers are +160 to win the World Series, followed by the Yankees (+700), Brewers (+950) and the Braves (+950). 

2)UFC Fight Night on Saturday, August 7 from Las Vegas. The main event starts around 9pmET but probably later. The feature is a lightweight bout between Mateusz Gamrot (+120) vs. Quillan Salkilld (-142). 

3)WNBA action starts to heat up. Las Vegas (22-9) visits league-leading Minnesota (25-6) on Saturday. This features MVP Aj’a Wilson against rookie sensation Olivia Miles. Wilson is -450 to win the league’s MVP, while Miles is +700 and Caitlin Clark is +1200.

Honorable Mention:

MLS, NASCAR Iowa Corn 350 (Sunday), Grand Prix of Portland (IndyCar Series), which goes August 7-9, are other top sporting events you can bet on this weekend. 

*-odds from DraftKings

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Hall of Fame Game (Aug 6). Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
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 On Thursday night, we finally get to witness the return of the NFL in preseason form with Carolina meeting Arizona at 8pmET from Canton, Ohio, in the Hall of Fame Game

Odds: Carolina -1.5

Total: 35.5

Moneyline: Carolina -118/Arizona -103

In this matchup, we’ve got both backup quarterbacks listed as the starters. Arizona will go with third-string rookie Carson Beck against journeyman Kenny Pickett.

Trends: Underdogs of +1 to +3 have covered at a 60% clip since 2015. Since 2013, Underdogs are 8-2-1 ATS and 7-4 SU in the HOF game. 

The Carolina Panthers (8-9 SU, 10-7 ATS, 7-10 O/U) made the playoffs last season thanks to winning the NFC South over Tampa Bay (8-9) and Atlanta (8-9). They were leading the Rams in the wild card game before falling in the last minute 34-31. Coach Dave Canales helped Bryce Young live up to his potential last season, though he still has room for improvement (3,011 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs). He will sit this one out for the well-traveled Pickett, along with starting WR Tetairoa McMillan. The Panthers went 0-3 SU and ATS in last year’s preseason against Pittsburgh (19-10), Houston (20-3) and Cleveland (30-10). 

Injuries: Six-foot-five rookie receiver Chris Brazzell II (torn LCL) and Edge Nic Scourton (ACL) are out for the season. OT Taylor Moton (blood clots) and OT Ikem Ekwonu (knee), and DL Tershawn Wharton (neck) are out trying to rehab their injuries.

The Arizona Cardinals (3-14 SU, 6-11 ATS, 11-6 O/U) were horrific last season, and that allowed them to grab the No. 3 pick in the draft, where they took speedy RB Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. Love will not play in this game, but that position is loaded now with Love, veteran James Conner and Tyler Allgeier in the mix. Wide receiver is a concern as Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t lived up to his potential. New coach Mike LeFleur has his work cut out for him. At quarterback, Jacoby Brissett takes over after a reworked contract behind a shaky offensive line. Having Love in the backfield can’t hurt, but he won’t play in this game. All eyes will be on the rookie Carson Beck, a third-round pick from Georgia. Beck should get plenty of time as he attempts to take the backup job from veteran Gardner Minshew.  The Cardinals went 2-1 SU/ATS in preseason last year.

Injuries: RB James Conner (foot) and LB Josh Sweat (knee) are out.

(odds from DraftKings)

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Hall of Fame Game (Aug 6). Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
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When it comes to betting preseason football, there’s nothing more important than having knowledge of the quarterback. But unlike the regular season, the most important position in the preseason is the backup quarterbacks. Second-string quarterbacks will get most of the action in the first half of these games, while the second half will see mostly third- and fourth-stringers.

Since there is only so much time in the day, let’s take a brief look at all 32 NFL backup quarterbacks.

Arizona: Gardner Minshew. He’s a steady veteran who has been through it all. Gets the ball out quickly. Has 47 career starts.

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. Looks like Tagovailoa will be the starter, as Penix is coming back from a knee injury. Tagovailoa could see some brief time this preseason. The Falcons just signed veteran Cooper Rush, who should see a lot of time this preseason. He played well at Dallas two seasons ago but struggled in Baltimore.

Baltimore: Tyler Huntley. “Snoop” fits the Baltimore offense well last season and in the past, but they have a new coordinator in Declan Doyle. Solid intermediate passer. Good athlete who can run, but not like Lamar Jackson.

Buffalo: Kyle Allen. Allen has played eight seasons and started 12 games for the Panthers in 2019. Hasn’t done much since. Does have a big arm and some mobility. Isn’t a great option if Josh Allen goes down. 

Carolina: Kenny Pickett. Pickett has 27 career starts and will get the nod on Thursday against Arizona. Doesn’t have a lot of upside, except for playing for four previous teams.

Chicago Bears: Tyson Bagent. He was undrafted in 2023, but he might be one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. He went 2-2 as a rookie, but has three TDs and six INTs in 2023 when Justin Fields was injured.  

Cincinnati: Joe Flacco. Flacco is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who still has the big arm and poise. His lack of mobility is a concern if he has to play long-term. It will be interesting to see how much he pays in the preseason considering his age of 41.

Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders. Who knows what this situation will be in the regular season? Sanders should improve under new coach Todd Monken after showing flashes as a rookie. But why did Kevin Stefanski have him as the third string behind Dillon Gabriel? Monken likely could play all three quarterbacks this summer, including Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played in nearly two years.

Dallas Cowboys: Joe Milton III. Milton has a lot of tools, but he has struggled with accuracy in three preseason starts. Great arm with good size.

Denver Broncos: Jarrett Stidham. Struggled in the AFC title game, but came back to the Broncos because he has Sean Payton’s trust. He also knows his offensive concepts but has limited arm talent.

Detroit: Teddy Bridgewater. Very experienced and accurate quarterback. Former high school coach who is like a coach on the field.

Green Bay: Tyrod Taylor. A gutsy journeyman who started for three seasons with Buffalo from 2015-17 and never threw more than six picks. Also, can still run the football.

Houston: Davis Mills: Solid backup with starting experience. He did win three games last season when C.J. Stroud was out with a concussion. He’s a game-manager, which is what a defensive team like Houston needs if Stroud goes down again.

Indianapolis: Anthony Richardson Sr. Has the size (6-4, 244) and arm talent with great athletic ability. Has 15 career starts, and he might be playing for the Colts’ career. Not the most accurate QB, but some team will take a chance if Indy wants a steadier backup to Daniel Jones.

Jacksonville: Nick Mullens. It’s tough to get on the field when you are playing behind the durable Trevor Lawrence. Is a rhythm passer who can move the ball downfield. Limited athleticism. Can be turnover-prone at times.

Kansas City: Justin Fields. Nice pick up by the Chiefs in the offseason. Fields is one of the best running QBs in the league and has improved his passing. Playing for Andy Reid might be the best move he made in his career, though he won’t play in the regular season behind Patrick Mahomes.

LA Chargers: Trey Lance. Lance has not lived up to his potential, but he might be playing for Jim Harbaugh. In four seasons, Lance has six career starts with five TDs and five INTs.

LA Rams: Ty Simpson. The rookie from Alabama is expected to take over for Matthew Stafford whenever he retires. Will get tested in preseason.

Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza. The top pick in the draft will be given the keys at some point this season. In the preseason, he should get enough time to show his skills, and he does need the experience. Has all the tools.

Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers. He’s in a tough situation with their limited talent. Can make all the throws, but consistency has been a problem along with accuracy.

Minnesota: J.J. McCarthy. Assuming Kyler Murray is the starter, McCarthy could be one of the top backups in the game. Has first-round talent with good arm and mobility. But accuracy (57.6%) was subpar in 10 games as a starter last season. 

NY Giants: Jameis Winston. Might be the best backup in the NFL with a big arm and solid running ability. In 2019, led the league in passing yards and interceptions. 

NY Jets: Cade Klubnik. Athletic qb who can move. He can throw accurately on the move. He’s fighting with Bailey Zappe for the No. 2 job behind Geno Smith. The fourth-round pick from Clemson played 49 games during his four years there and should get plenty of time in preseason.

New England Patriots: Tommy DeVito. DeVito rose to prominence with the Giants in 2023 when he went 3-3 as a starter (8TDs/3 INTs). Is streaky as a passer and is better when teams can use his mobility to make plays outside the pocket.

New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler. Tyler Shough will start and that means Rattler, who lost 12 of his 13 career starts, will be the backup. Perhaps he elevates his game with less pressure, and the experience will help him produce well in the preseason.

Philadelphia Eagles: Andy Dalton. Dalton will be 39 this season, but understands his job. Has 169 career starts, but is a savvy veteran who knows his role behind Jalen Hurts.

Pittsburgh: Mason Rudolph. He has played for the Steelers for seven years, so he knows his way around the locker room. Has a 9-9-1 record in 19 career starts. But with rookie Drew Allar and second-year QB Will Howard, this could be a very interesting preseason for the Steelers with solid competition.

San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones. Wasn’t a great starter, but with San Francisco, he’s in a solid situation with some solid weapons. He went 5-3 filling in for injured Brock Purdy last season. One of the best backups in the league.

Seattle: Drew Lock. The Super Bowl champs return Drew Lock, who struggled in five starts for the Giants in 2023. He has made 28 career starts, so he’s pretty much what you want in a backup behind Sam Darnold. Has a big arm and solid mobility. Good physical tools, but hasn’t translated into solid production.

Tampa Bay: Jake Browning. Doesn’t have great intangibles, including average arm strength at best. Struggled filling in for Joe Burrow last season. But does have starting experience.

Tennessee: Mitch Trubisky. Yes, he’s still in the league. Good athlete and experienced starter. Has 57 career starts and was a former No. 2 pick in 2017. He’s no threat to Cam Ward and should be able to help him get to the next level, because he never got there.

Washington: Marcus Mariota. The former No. 2 pick has 82 career starts and is 36-46. Still an excellent runner, though his speed isn’t what it once was, but has never been a good starter and was always limited as a pure passer.

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Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Hall of Fame Game (Aug 6). Football starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
• Baseball Second Half projected to win 150+ units after a strong finish the last 10 weeks (discounts are available with football).
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You may hear why you should not wager on preseason football and it’s not for everyone, but there are also many benefits as we get closer to Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game (Arizona/Carolina). 

1)Oddsmakers have less information. There are so many variables, including roster battles and constantly changing depth charts, that it makes it harder to price than normal NFL games.

2)It’s all about playing time. There are just three preseason games (save for Carolina and Arizona), and coaches want to avoid serious injuries, so they will keep most starters out. Knowledge of the backups, especially the quarterbacks, is crucial to winning. 

3)First-Half bets could be the answer. Unless you have a quarterback competition (Cleveland? Atlanta?), starting quarterbacks might play a quarter at most. So it’s important to know not only the game plan, but the quality of the backup quarterback. In the second half, you’ll see mostly third and fourth-string quarterbacks. So betting first-half spreads/totals can sometimes make more sense than full-game bets. How many times have you bet a preseason game, where the game is lost in the fourth quarter because teams are playing mostly scrubs who will never play in the NFL?

4)Roster battles matter. Players who are fighting for starting jobs or roster spots have more incentive to play hard. A team with multiple competitive position battles may approach a preseason game differently from a team simply trying to get through it.

5)You can learn things in preseason. Just watch the first game, and you’ll find that new coaches (there are six) have a certain philosophy after their first game. I’d be careful about taking games where Joe Brady (Buffalo), Mike LaFleur (Arizona), Jesse Minter (Baltimore), Todd Monken (Cleveland), Klint Kubiak (Las Vegas), and Jeff Hafley (Miami) coach in their first game.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Hall of Fame Game (Aug 6). Training camp starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
• Baseball Second Half projected to win 150+ units after a strong finish the last 10 weeks (discounts are available with football).
  _____________________________________________________________________

It’s football week, and while we’ve gone over some of the factors of winning in preseason, team angles are nearly as important as things like quarterback rotations and almost as important as getting the game plan.

Let’s take a look at some of the hottest trends by team. Here are some key general trends from preseason.

*Totals that close at 37 have gone over 60% of the time over the last 15 years.

*Underdogs of +1 to +3 have covered 60% since 2015. 

*Road underdogs of +2.5 or less have gone 75-38 ATS over the last decade.

*-new coach this season.

Arizona: * 2-5 ATS last 7 games and 0-6-1 SU.

Baltimore: * 2-7 ATS last 9 games.

Chicago: 10-2 ATS last 12 games and 9-2-1 SU. They are also 8-4 Over last 12.

Cincinnati: 1-9-1 SU and 4-7 ATS last 11 games.

Dallas: 7-24 SU and 9-21-1 ATS since 2008. Also 19-12 Under last 31.

Detroit: 2-9 SU last 11 home games and 8-3 Over last 11 at home.

Houston: DeMeco Ryans is 1-9 Under last 10 games. The Texans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 preseason road games.

Indianapolis: Shane Steichen is 8-1 Over in nine games. 

Kansas City: Andy Reid is 49-36-3 Over in his career.

LA Chargers: 1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS last 10 home games.

New England: 15-7 Under last 22 games.

NY Giants: John Harbaugh (all with Baltimore) was 42-21 ATS in preseason.

NY Jets: 8-2 last 10 preseason road games. 

Seattle: 9-5 Under last 14 games.

Tampa Bay: Todd Bowles is 10-21-1 O.U record.

Washington: 3-7 ATS last 10 home games. Dan Quinn 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming and Current Events at ATS:

• Hall of Fame Game (Aug 6). Training camp starts this week! Preseason NFL action begins as ATS enters its 34th football season. Early Bird discounts are still available!
• UFC Fight Night on Aug. 8 from Las Vegas, featuring Gamrot vs. Salkilld. UFC wins FOUR straight weeks. Average clients up over $7,500!
• Baseball Second Half projected to win 150+ units after a strong finish the last 10 weeks (discounts are available with football).
  _____________________________________________________________________