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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