The final audition for all of those clinging to a roster spot has arrived. Let’s check out our top NFL picks against the spread, moneyline, and total as we put a bow on the 2022 NFL preseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Jacksonville Jaguars
The lowly Jacksonville Jaguars can’t even win in the preseason as evidenced by their 0-3 straight-up and ATS record. However, they have one more bite at the apple when they travel to Atlanta to face another rebuilding club in the Falcons.
The Jags are one of only two teams to have a four-game exhibition season and thus far they have dropped a 27-11 decision to the Raiders, a 24-13 loss to the Browns, and last week fell 16-15 to Pittsburgh.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have split their first two exhibition games with a 27-23 win over the Lions followed by a 24-16 loss to the Jets.
This will be their first preseason game at home and will pin their hopes on backup quarterbacks, Desmond Ridder and Feleipe Franks, to get the job done on Saturday afternoon in front of the fan friendlies.
Pick and Prediction
Desmond Ridder, the third-round draft pick out of Cincinnati, is poised to be the heir apparent in Atlanta and has acquitted himself well in the preseason.
Last week he was 10-of-13 for 143 yards while the incumbent, Marcus Mariota, was 6-of-10 for 132 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ loss to the Jets.
I suspect we will see more aerial heroics this week against a porous Jags defense so lay the small number with Atlanta.
Predicted Score: Falcons 26 – Jaguars 17
NFL Pick: Falcons -1 (-110) at BetMGM
Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at M&T Bank Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are 0-2 straight up and against the spread with losses to the Panthers (23-21) and Chiefs (24-14).
The fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina, Sam Howell, has gotten much of the work and is listed as the No. 3 man on Washington’s depth chart. However, he could be inching towards the No. 2 role if he continues his solid performances while veteran Taylor Heinicke could be used as trade bait.
Carson Wentz has also gotten snaps under center and we will likely see him again on Saturday.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have fashioned wins over the Titans (23-10) and Cardinals (24-17) and have covered the number in both games.
Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown have done the honors under center while Lamar Jackson has remained on the sidelines. Both Huntley and Brown were stunningly accurate in the last game, combining for 23-of-27 for 220 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception.
Pick and Prediction
The Ravens have won an unprecedented 22 consecutive preseason games dating back to the 2016 season, which was only interrupted by a canceled 2020 exhibition schedule due to Covid. Therefore, it’s not entirely surprising that the best sportsbooks are dealing Baltimore as a whopping -280 home favorite in this game.
But even a freight train stops and as impressive as their record is, it’s still the preseason and these games are meaningless. The only purpose they serve is to sort the wheat from the chaff and create a roster of the best 53 players.
The price on the Commanders at the NFL odds is too tempting not to take a shot and we believe Washington can pull the upset.
Predicted Score: Commanders 22 – Ravens 16
NFL Pick: Commanders ML (+235) at Caesars Sportsbook
Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, August 28, 2022 – 04:30 PM EDT at Acrisure Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Detroit Lions
If you’ve been watching HBO’s Hard Knocks then you’ve had a front-row seat into the maniacal mind of the Lions’ head coach, Dan Campbell.
What we have seen so far is a team whose offense is scoring but whose defense has been lagging. The Lions suffered a 23-20 loss to the Falcons but rebounded last week with a 27-26 win over the Colts in Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are turning the page on the Ben Roethlisberger era and have handed the reins of the offense to their first-round pick this year, Kenny Pickett, for a good portion of the preseason.
The young gun has performed well and so too have veterans Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. The triumvirate has yet to throw an interception this preseason and has combined for 6 touchdown passes over two games.
Pick and Prediction
Both offenses can cook, at least in the preseason, and this should be a game where we see plenty of passing against overmatched defensive backs.
The total here is 38 ½ and the Lions’ two games have gone Over while the Steelers are 1-1 O/U. We expect the offenses on both sides to ramp up and blow away this total.
Predicted Score: Steelers 23 – Lions 21
NFL Pick: Over 38 ½ (-110) at FanDuel
