NFL Preseason Week 2 Betting Preview
Since last season the Baltimore Ravens have been one of the top picks for NFL preseason bettors. Can the Ravens keep that up Thursday night when they visit the Miami Dolphins?
Baltimore opened the preseason last week with a 23-3 drubbing of the Washington Redskins as a 2-point underdog. Starting quarterback Joe Flacco didn’t play a snap due to a back injury that is expected to keep him out the entire preseason. Ryan Mallett saw the most time behind center, completing nine of 18 passes for 58 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Miami also posted a win last week, topping the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 as a 1-point favorite. New QB Jay Cutler didn’t see action, nor did starting RB Jay Ajayi who continues to make his way back from a concussion. Unknown David Fales made the most impact at QB with a pair of TD passes, including a 99-yard strike to Damore’ea Stringfellow. The latest reports out of Dolphins camp suggest Cutler could start Thursday night, but it hasn’t been confirmed.
The Ravens have won five in a row straight up and sixth straight against the spread in the preseason. In their last 13 preseason games Baltimore boasts an impressive 10-3 record SU and 11-2 mark ATS. Miami is 4-5 SU and ATS in their last nine preseason games and haven’t won back-to-back games in the preseason since 2014.
The odds at the Bovada Sportsbook peg the Dolphins as a 3-point favorite. Baltimore and Miami don’t have any preseason history, but in the regular season Baltimore has dominated the matchup with six straight wins ATS.
Looking ahead to Saturday, two Week 1 losers clash when the Houston Texans face the New England Patriots.
The Patriots opened as a 1.5-point favorite, but at the Bovada Sportsbook the line has shifted and Houston is now 1-point chalk.
The Texans lost to the Carolina Panthers 27-17 as a 2-point underdog last week despite a strong debut from rookie QB DeShaun Watson. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards while rushing for 24 yards and a score after relieving starter Tom Savage. The loss snapped Houston’s four-game preseason winning streak SU and ATS.
New England fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-24 as a 3-point favorite last week. Tom Brady didn’t see the field, which allowed Jimmy Garoppolo to pass for 235 yards with two touchdowns.
Being listed as the underdog may be the difference-maker for New England this week. In their last five as a favorite in the preseason the Patriots are 1-4 ATS. As the underdog they’ve won three in a row SU and ATS.