This is the biggest day of NFL preseason football that we'll see this year. There are 13 games with big names like rookies Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels featuring throughout the slate.
Get our NFL preseason picksand best betsfor this massive day of football.
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Sam Farley's Bengals vs. Bears Best Bet: Chicago Has Been Dominant
Saturday, Aug. 17
1 p.m.ET
NFL Network
Bears -6.5 (-110, DraftKings)
The Patrick Mahomescomparisons are a tad too hyperbolic, but Caleb Williams looked very impressive in his NFL preseason debut last week. He made a handful of highlight reel throws while completing 4-of-7 passes for 95 yards.
However, it isn’t just Williams who has impressed this preseason. The rest of the Bears quarterbacks have also done well, which is a big reason why Chicago is averaging 27 points per game between its wins over the Texans and Bills.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is resting its starters, unlike last week when Joe Burrowsaw his first action since last year’s season-ending wrist injury. Also, backup quarterback Jake Browning is going to miss this game.
While laying 6.5 points is a bit steeper than I’d prefer, I’m aligned with the publicin believing the Bearswill do just that. The Bears against the spread have the second-highest percentage of tickets this week (79%), and it’s also getting sharpaction.
Pick: Bears -6.5 (-110)
Ricky Henne's Giants vs. Texans Best Bet: Back New York Early
Saturday, Aug. 17
1 p.m.ET
FOX
Giants 1Q +0.5 (-142, ESPN BET)
The Giantsare 1-0 in this year's preseason and face the Texansafter getting some positive news regarding Daniel Jones, with the quarterback cleared to play this weekend.
Jones himself has said that he's "ready to play," and it's expected that he'll get the start alongside the rest of the first-string offense. That should also include Malik Nabers, who has been in practice following an ankle injury.
That duo being available will be a huge boost for the Giants offense, which should start strongly and avoid an early deficit after the first 15 minutes.
Pick:Giants 1Q +0.5 (-142)
Sam Farley's Vikings vs. Browns Best Bet: Minnesota Hopes To Remain Healthy
Saturday, Aug. 17
4:25 p.m.ET
NFL+
Browns -3 (-105, FanDuel)
You really have to feel for Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell with news that J.J. McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season after tearing his meniscus.
Not only that but wide receiver Jordan Addisonwas last season on crutches and with his foot in a boot. Now, the Vikingsjust need to make it through preseason without any more injuries. Minnesota can't afford more if it wants to compete this season.
O'Connell is surely going to limit the amount of time new QB1 Sam Darnoldsees against a strong Brownsdefense, which means we should see plenty of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. The Browns are stacked defensively and have quarterbacks in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley who have real NFL experience under their belts.
Pick: Browns -3 (-105)
John LanFranca's Commanders vs. Dolphins Best Bet: Preseason Underdog Worth Your Pick
Saturday, Aug. 17
7 p.m.ET
NFL+
Commanders +5 (-110, ESPN BET)
I was trying to make sense of this number, and I cannot get how the Dolphinsare substantial favorites.
The Commandershave much more incentive to play their first string for longer. Jayden Daniels not only led a touchdowndrive last week against a Jetsdefense that had not allowed a first-quarter preseason touchdown since 2022, but he has also carved up the Dolphins in joint practices according to witness reports.
While I wouldn't expect Washington's staff to risk Daniels for long, it's also worth noting that while mixing in more than the starters, the Commanders seem to have consistently won the battle at the line of scrimmage this week against Miami. That bodes well for protecting their new franchise QB.
When it comes to the backup quarterbacks who will play the majority of this game, the edge may go the Miami. The edge in terms of playmakers in the passing game, though, swings back toward the Commanders. Washington has competition for targets entering this season with a receiving corps made up of Terry McLaurin. Dyami Brown,Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Another small edge to the Commanders side will be the kicking game, as it has been said Riley Patterson has been drilling 50-yarders at will in practice.
Five points is way too many in this spot, as I'd make this line this closer to a pick'em.
Pick: Commanders +5 (-110)
John LanFranca's Jets vs. Panthers Best Bet: Don't Expect Points
Saturday, Aug. 17
7 p.m.ET
NFL+
Under 31.5 (-110, FanDuel)
Both of these teams lack depth on the offensive line. In fact, at the end of the first preseason game for Carolina, there were only five healthy linemen dressed to play. The Panthershad to make roster moves this week to make sure they had enough bodies up front for this game.
While Dave Canales has been silent on whether he'll get his starters any playing time, I get the sense he doesn't want to risk any more injuries.
Jack Plummer played under center for the Panthers for the majority of the game against the Patriotslast week, followed by Jake Luton. Both should get extended looks again in this game as they compete for the QB3 spot after averaging a combined 4.1 yards per attempt last week.
In 21 attempts, Plummer completed just one pass for 10+ yards on 21 attempts, while Luton had zero gains of more than 10 yards.
It should be all backups for the Jets offense again this week, as Aaron Rodgersand the rest of the key players are in bubble wrap. The Panthers defense allowed only 4.3 yards per play last week, so we're looking at a boring slog of a football game.
Pick: Under 31.5 (-110)
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More must-reads:
- Commanders vs. Dolphins prediction, pick, odds for NFL Preseason Week 2 game, Sat. 8/17
- Vikings vs. Browns prediction, pick, odds for NFL preseason Week 2 game, Sat. 8/17
- The 'Last QB to win a playoff game for each team' quiz
