After the Hall of Fame game from last week, we finally get a full slate of games. Granted it’s only preseason but we’ve turned to our AI Model to find three plays for the first week of the NFL preseason. Check them out and let us know if you are tailing our NFL computer picks.
Picks Summary
- Cardinals (+180) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Bills (+175) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Ravens -6 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals
Friday, August 11, 2023 – 10:10 PM EDT at State Farm Stadium
Our AI Model believes that the Arizona Cardinals will earn a 24-21 win over the Denver Broncos in the first game of the preseason. The Cardinals are +180, so there’s certainly some value there.
We won’t see Russell Wilson under center for the Broncos in this game. Instead, we’ll watch Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci at the QB position for this one. Stidham will likely get the first half, and DiNucci will get the second half. Both quarterbacks have NFL experience but are still backups for a reason. They haven’t exactly shined as starters.
Youth In Line
Meanwhile, the Broncos have a lot of youth on the offensive line with their second and third units. If the Broncos give the rookies playing time in the second half, that could be bad news for DiNucci in the second half.
On the other hand, the Cardinals will likely give Clayton Tune a fair chance in this one. Tune is a former Houston Cougars quarterback who had some incredibly impressive seasons. He also has a lot of potential. Some believe he’ll be good enough to start for the Cardinals in a few years.
Let’s take our chances with Arizona as +180 underdogs.
NFL Pick: Cardinals (+180) at Caesars Sportsbook
Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills
Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 01:00 PM EDT at Highmark Stadium
Our AI Model believes the Buffalo Bills will earn a 29-19 win over the Colts on Saturday. With the Bills at +175, there’s plenty of value in taking Buffalo in this game.
The Colts have three solid quarterbacks on their depth chart heading into the preseason. It’s unclear if their first pick, Anthony Richardson, will play in Week 1 of the preseason or the regular season. But he’ll eventually get reps.
The Colts will likely give Josh Downs many reps at wide receiver, and with Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger as the other two options, the Colts look great offensively.
Stopping the Heard
However, the defense probably won’t get many stops.
The Buffalo Bills have veteran quarterbacks on their depth chart. Josh Allen won’t play, but Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley will get reps. Both of those quarterbacks are viable preseason options. They’ll likely throw the ball to Justin Shorter and Dalton Kincaid for a few drives, which would be fun.
Therefore, we’ll back the Buffalo Bills. They’ve got solid young talent mixed with veteran quarterbacks.
The AI Model is onto something.
NFL Pick: Bills (+175) at Caesars Sportsbook
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens
Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at M&T Bank Stadium
The AI Model suggests that the Baltimore Ravens will earn a 33-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. The Ravens are -250, but the spread is at -6. There’s certainly value there.
The reports are out there. Since signing with them in the offseason, Marcus Mariota has struggled with the Eagles. It’s unclear if the Eagles will roll with Mariota or just see what Tanner McKee and Ian Book are capable of.
Tanner McKee is a former Stanford quarterback who didn’t win much. But it wasn’t his fault. He played well but never had reliable targets.
Lacking Potential
Philadelphia doesn’t have much young talent on offense. They’ll likely give Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks reps at running back and will provide Joseph Ngata with reps at wide receiver.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have Tyler Huntley, Josh Johnson, Anthony Brown, and Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Any of those quarterbacks can put together a solid drive for the Ravens.
Baltimore could give Zay Flowers some reps. This team also has Sean Ryan and Dontay Demus as rookie wideouts. Baltimore has Melvin Gordon as their fourth running back. Even he might get in on some of the preseason action.
Baltimore has a lot of newer faces and a lot of potential with those new players. Let’s take the Ravens to earn a massive win over the Eagles in this one.
The AI Model has predicted a significant win. Take the Ravens at -6 before it goes to -7, a key number when it comes to NFL odds.
NFL Pick: Ravens -6 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
