NFL PRESEASON WEEK 2: THURSDAY & FRIDAY PREVIEWS & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

We are underway with our NFL Preseason Schedule, and this week we might see starters, for some teams, a little more. As for us at home and in the stands, we have the odds, lines and totals with which to make viewing these exhibition contests a little more interesting.

THURSDAY

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-3, O/U: 39)

The Browns and Eagles are the only game in town Thursday night, so they have the entire nation to themselves, if not the continent, since the CFL plays its first game of the weekend on Thursday. Either way, this one will probably be more entertaining. Since he’s yet to really look all that great at any point, Cleveland will probably trot out Deshaun Watson and his aching glutes for about a quarter in this one before tossing the keys to Joshua Dobbs and, ultimately, to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Kellen Mond might get some time in there before the team ultimately cuts bait on him. As for the Eagles, they lost a tough one last week to the Baltimore Ravens, who have not lost a preseason game since 2015. I can’t believe Jalen Hurts will suit up for this one, so it’ll be Marcus Mariota for a while, before Ian Book and Tanner McKee take over. Either way, the Browns have the deeper QB room. Browns 23, Eagles 16

FRIDAY

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (-3, O/U: 36)

I’m seeing a lot of rending of garments and gnashing of teeth after the Panthers were shut out in their first preseason game and Bryce Young didn’t look especially great. I’ll just say it’s early, he’s learning and all the reports out of camp and practice are positive. Carolina is a team that could finish all over the place, record-wise, this season, but the smart bet is a losing record and a Top 15 draft pick in 2024. So, relax and enjoy the ride. The Giants dropped their preseason opener too, to the Detroit Lions, but will probably have less trouble here with Tyrod Taylor doing most of the heavy lifting. Giants 20, Panthers 13

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (-5, O/U: 38.5)

The Falcons are fully invested in the preseason and it shows. When you’re a bad team coming off multiple losing seasons, you have to be. The Bengals, on the other hand, are just trying to sim to the regular season and keep all their key players healthy. Joe Burrow, once again, should not even be allowed on the sideline. I mean, a guy could run into him. He could trip over a cable connected to one of those giant listening dishes that they pay a dude to point at the field. Frankly, I wouldn’t even let him in the stadium. As for Atlanta, you’ll probably see everybody, even first round pick Bijan Robinson for a series or two. Trevor Siemian or Jake Browning will start for Cincinnati and Siemian has won NFL games before. But Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke should give the Falcons an advantage all the way to the end. Falcons 24, Bengals 19

Last week

Straight up: 8-8

Against the spread: 7-9

Preseason

Straight up: 9-8

Against the spread: 8-9

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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