NFL PRESEASON: SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEWS & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

We’re not done yet. We have two more days of preseason football this week and these might be the most interesting of the bunch.

Thankfully, even though we’ll be watching to curb our NFL addiction, we can still make some money thanks to the odds, lines and totals available.

SATURDAY

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS (-3.5, O/U: 37.5)

It’s time for the Will Leis crapshow in Tennessee to officially begin as we’ll get to see the rookie second rounder out of Kentucky (and potential killer of Mike Vrabel’s career with the Titans) in this match up with the Bears. Since this is probably Ryan Tannehill’s last go-round with Tennessee, he’ll probably see a little action here before the ball is tossed to Malik Willis and Levis, but he’s not the show. Nor is DeAndre Hopkins, who I think probably won’t even suit up. As for Chicago, they have to be concerned about any dumb injury to Justin Fields right now. While their fanbase might have unrealistically high expectations for Chicago in 2023, there’s no reason to toss them into the woodchipper in August. PJ Walker is a solid backup and Jon Gruden’s former adopted son Nathan Peterman shows up as No. 3 on the depth chart, ahead of camp arm Tyson Bagent. Walker and Peterman have both won games in this league. Willis technically has too, but he was more of a bystander in the process. I’m rolling with Chicago and I like the spread. Bears 20, Titans 13

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT BUFFALO BILLS (+4, O/U: 38)

I’m not sure there’s a more exciting preseason game on the docket than this one as we’ll get to see Colts first round quarterback, Anthony Richardson, in action for the first time. Gardner Minshew will probably get the start and a series or two for Indianapolis, but I expect to see Richardson play a couple of quarters at least with the ones and twos. Richardson is the epitome of the “high risk, high reward” philosophy, because, if he develops into an NFL quarterback, you have a Cam Newton/Lamar Jackson hybrid. But the chances he does that? Honestly? About 30 percent and that might be high. Sam Ehlinger isn’t a complete disaster at No. 3. For the Bills, I wouldn’t let Josh Allen even step foot on the sideline in street clothes, but they might use him for a couple of series. After that, it’s Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley. Again, not the worst set up, but Indy feels as if it has the advantage. Though, and here’s a fun fact, back when Barkley was starting his college career at USC, he was considered one of the best NCAA prospects on the planet. Weird how things work out. Colts 24, Bills 20

NEW YORK JETS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (-3.5, O/U: 37)

With absolutely everything to lose and nothing to gain, Aaron Rodgers will once more pace the sideline in his long sleeve T-shirt and headset in this game. I do not expect to see him suit up at all in the preseason, for every single reason you could come up with. I predicted early on, which honestly it wasn’t much of a prediction, that the Jets would be the Hard Knocks team, but I have to say. The first episode of this season was the best episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks in its entire history. It did what you want the show to do — actually feature the coaches and star players predominantly. We didn’t see some UDFA practice squad scrub show up until literally the final 10 minutes. And for all the very warranted fears that Rodgers would go all conspiracy theory the second a camera was put in his face, he’s been super cool. The image rehab was almost instantaneous for our nation’s preeminent Ivermectin spokesman. But, we’re picking a game here and while Zach Wilson is apparently thriving under Rodgers’ tutelage (and performing well on the field), the other two QBs (Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler) have left much to be desired. Streveler, in fact, is on IR and won’t play at all. The Panthers, on the other hand, have an absolutely loaded quarterback room. Rookie No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will probably play a quarter. Andy Dalton and Matt Corral are behind him. Dalton is a former Pro Bowl QB and Corral was a guy I liked a lot as a potential starter coming out of Ole Miss last year. Jake Luton is the No. 4 and will likely mop up at the end, but Carolina should take care of this one easily. Panthers 26, Jets 17

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (+3.5, O/U: 38)

I’m kind of surprised at this line. The Jags are a talented team, but I would not be shocked if head coach Doug Pederson kept Trevor Lawrence in his workout wear the whole game. CJ Beathard is a fine back up. I have no idea about No. 3 Nathan Rourke, but neither guy is as good as Dak Prescott’s reserve pitcher Cooper Rush, who I’m betting plays most of the way. Will Grier is Dallas’ third stringer and, again, he’s not the worst option there. Plus, the Cowboys at home and even playing their scrubs, should see a solid turnout. Cowboys 17, Jaguars 13

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (-4.5, O/U: 36)

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say if either Jalen Hurts or Lamar Jackson take the field in this one, someone on each coaching staff should lose their job. I have no idea what each of these guys would have to prove at this point, and considering the contracts they just signed and the salary cap those deals are eating, I’d do everything I could to keep these guys in bubble wrap. Yes, the Ravens are installing a new Todd Monken professional football offense, replacing the Greg Roman Pop Warner Shoney’s kid’s menu playbook, but I’d still not risk it. Marcus Mariota is more than capable of playing the first half well for Philly, with Ian Book and Tanner McKee taking over in the second half. For Baltimore, Tyler Huntley might be the best back up quarterback in the league and plays pretty much like a store brand Lamar Jackson, so they’ll be fine with him. Josh Johnson, for whatever reason, continues to be employed by NFL teams, but seems to be a waste of a roster spot. Anthony Brown doesn’t feel like the worst option as the eventual No. 3 or emergency quarterback. I don’t think it’ll be as lopsided as the spread says, but I like Baltimore. Ravens 23, Eagles 20

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (-3, O/U: 33.5)

The Battle of Los Angeles is upon us and neither of these head coaches, Brandon Staley or Sean McVay, will let a single key starter put on a helmet in this game. Both have far too much to lose. That being said, the Rams do have a young and rookie heavy roster, with some stuff to figure out, especially on the offensive line. So, you will some “starters” in this one simply because the home team doesn’t know who’s going to start yet, especially at center and left tackle. For the first time since maybe 2018, the Rams have a solid back up QB rotation, led by rookie Stetson Bennett from Georgia and Brett Rypien, who started games for the Broncos last season. Justin Herbert is backed up by Easton Stick, again, a human I’m shocked is real, and TCU rookie Max Duggan. This will probably be the most seriously McVay has ever taken the preseason and, as such, it should reflect on the scoreboard. It’ll also be fun to see Duggan and Bennett face off again in the same stadium they played for the National Championship back in January. Rams 23, Chargers 13

SUNDAY

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3, O/U: 37.5)

Andy Reid is not nearly as careful with his Lamborghini quarterback in the preseason as I’d like, so Patrick Mahomes will at least see a series. After he hits the bench (the earlier the better), they’ll go with the very capable Blaine Gabbert, before Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun take over. New Orleans will probably need to see a little extra out of Derek Carr, who just joined the team this offseason. So two to three series wouldn’t surprise me. After he puts on the sideline cap, Jameis Winston takes over before internet meme sensation, rookie Jake Haener, steps onto the turf and maybe a quarter from Taysom Hill. The Saints should win this one pretty easily. Saints 27, Chiefs 16

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (+3.5, O/U: 36)

It’s a reunion for Jimmy Garoppolo as he unites with his former team whose fanbase hated him and whose coaching staff continually tried to replace him. As he’s just now been cleared from his foot injury, there’s no way even someone as dumb as Josh McDaniels will toss him out on the field in this game, so he’ll be riding the pine. That means we’ll get Brian Hoyer, Aiden O’Connell and Chase Garbers for Vegas in this one and, if you’re anything like me, this is the first time you’ve learned that a “Chase Garbers” is a real person. The 49ers have their own issues to solve. Brock Purdy is the presumed starter, but he again hasn’t been fully healthy and shouldn’t put on a helmet here. Which is a good thing, because head coach Kyle Shanahan needs to see what the first string offense looks like run by former No. 3 overall pick and the worst draft day trade in NFL history, Trey Lance (minus Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, I’m guessing). Sam Darnold will take over and then Brandon Allen is the camp arm at No. 4. The Niners should win this one in a walk. 49ers 31, Raiders 19

Last week

Straight up: 1-0

Against the spread: 1-0

Preseason

Straight up: 1-0

Against the spread: 1-0

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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