Two-minute drill: The final dress rehearsal before kickoff brings juicy storylines, moving Vegas numbers, and one undeniable headliner. With Caleb-fueled Chicago buzz meeting the champs in Arrowhead, and star absences shaping edges across the slate, this week is where depth and coaching philosophy cash tickets. Let’s rip through every matchup, the odds, and the angles that matter — with one Hot Game circled in red.
HOT GAME OF THE WEEK: Bears at Chiefs (Fri 8:20 PM, NFL+) — KC -1.5
Hype meets hardware. Chicago’s preseason glow has the internet buzzing, but multiple
voices (and recent segments) have cautioned against overreacting to the Bears’ summer sizzle.
Kansas City, even in August, tends to be crisp situationally at home. The line is short — and
that’s telling.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Bears 16 (KC -1.5)
Steelers at Panthers (Thu 7:00 PM, NFLN) — PIT -4.5
Mike Tomlin’s teams typically show up in August, and Pittsburgh’s depth looks organized.
Carolina’s offensive rhythm remains a work-in-progress; this is a trenches-and-special-teams
game.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Panthers 16 (PIT -4.5)
Patriots at Giants (Thu 8:00 PM, AMZN) — NYG -6.5
New York’s camp chatter around Daniel Jones has trended optimistic in headlines, but
preseason is about units 2 and 3. The Giants’ depth and Daboll’s situational work should tilt this
at home.
Prediction: Giants 24, Patriots 13 (NYG -6.5)
Eagles at Jets (Fri 7:30 PM, NFL+) — NYJ -1.5
Headline watch: Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing in preseason, so New York’s backups carry
the load. That evens the playing field against an Eagles rotation that’s been steady.
Prediction: Eagles 17, Jets 16 (PHI +1.5, Eagles ML sprinkle)
Vikings at Titans (Fri 8:00 PM, CBS) — TEN -4.0
Jordan Addison had a midweek scare but is without limitations moving forward. Minnesota
still figures to throttle back key reps; Tennessee’s physicality and RB room depth can grind this
out.
Prediction: Titans 20, Vikings 14 (TEN -4.0)
Falcons at Cowboys (Fri 8:00 PM, NFLN) — DAL -2.5
Micah Parsons remains a spectator amid contract friction, but Dallas’ defensive depth is
still live. Expect efficient scripted drives from both sides before the backfields take over.
Prediction: Cowboys 23, Falcons 17 (DAL -2.5)
Ravens at Commanders (Sat 12:00 PM, NFL+) — BAL -2.5
Lamar Jackson left practice midweek after a teammate stepped on his foot —
precautionary vibes. Baltimore’s preseason DNA is well-known: organized, explosive depth, and
a defense that communicates.
Prediction: Ravens 19, Commanders 13 (BAL -2.5)
Colts at Bengals (Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+) — CIN -2.5
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins aren’t slated to play, per local reports. That swings the QB
room advantage to Indy’s side in the second half.
Prediction: Colts 21, Bengals 17 (IND +2.5, Colts ML)
Rams at Browns (Sat 1:00 PM, NFLN) — CLE -6.5
League-best pass rush chatter features Myles Garrett at the top — and that front is deep.
Cleveland’s rotation versus Rams’ young OL is the mismatch.
Prediction: Browns 24, Rams 13 (CLE -6.5)
Texans at Lions (Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+) — DET -1.5
Houston’s trajectory is strong, but these reps favor Detroit’s cohesiveness at home. Expect
a clean Jared Goff-led script and steady RB rotation.
Prediction: Lions 23, Texans 20 (DET -1.5)
Broncos at Saints (Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+) — DEN -5.5
New Orleans continues sorting QB depth (with public odds talk around the Week 1 starter).
Big spread for a road favorite in August — market likely over-tilted. Take the points.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Saints 17 (NO +5.5)
Seahawks at Packers (Sat 4:00 PM, NFLN) — GB -1.5
Lambeau energy, plus Packers’ developmental pipeline, makes this a late-game lean
green. Keep an eye on WR/CB camp battles — that’s where this gets decided.
Prediction: Packers 22, Seahawks 20 (GB -1.5)
Jaguars at Dolphins (Sat 7:00 PM, NFLN) — MIA -3.0
Tyreek Hill (oblique) and De’Von Achane (calf) missed midweek sessions; Darren Waller
was activated from PUP. With stars limited or out, Jacksonville’s QB rotation and WR depth
become the edge.
Prediction: Jaguars 21, Dolphins 20 (JAX +3, Jaguars ML)
Bills at Buccaneers (Sat 7:30 PM, NFL+) — BUF -3.0
Baker Mayfield won’t play, per local radio reporting. Buffalo’s depth QBs and defensive
front should control script and field position.
Prediction: Bills 24, Buccaneers 13 (BUF -3.0)
Chargers at 49ers (Sat 8:30 PM, NFL+) — LAC -2.5
San Francisco’s WR room is thinner with Demarcus Robinson facing a three-game
suspension. Chargers’ second-unit offense has the explosives to separate late.
Prediction: Chargers 20, 49ers 17 (LAC -2.5)
Raiders at Cardinals (Sat 10:00 PM, NFLN) — LV -1.5
Vegas’ RB/WR depth and special teams juice swing close August contests. Arizona’s
youth movement shows flashes but consistency late is the question.
Prediction: Raiders 23, Cardinals 20 (LV -1.5)
| Matchup | Status (Time/Network) | Location | Odds (Spread/Total) | My Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers @ Panthers | Thu 7:00 PM, NFLN | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | PIT -4.5, O/U 35.5 | PIT 23-16 |
| Patriots @ Giants | Thu 8:00 PM, AMZN | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | NYG -6.5, O/U 37.5 | NYG 24-13 |
| Eagles @ Jets | Fri 7:30 PM, NFL+ | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | NYJ -1.5, O/U 34.5 | PHI 17-16 |
| Vikings @ Titans | Fri 8:00 PM, CBS | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | TEN -4.0, O/U 37.5 | TEN 20-14 |
| Falcons @ Cowboys | Fri 8:00 PM, NFLN | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | DAL -2.5, O/U 35.5 | DAL 23-17 |
| Bears @ Chiefs | Fri 8:20 PM, NFL+ | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO | KC -1.5, O/U 41.5 | KC 23-16 |
| Ravens @ Commanders | Sat 12:00 PM, NFL+ | Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD | BAL -2.5, O/U 35.5 | BAL 19-13 |
| Colts @ Bengals | Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+ | Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | CIN -2.5, O/U 35 | IND 21-17 |
| Rams @ Browns | Sat 1:00 PM, NFLN | Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH | CLE -6.5, O/U 39.5 | CLE 24-13 |
| Texans @ Lions | Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+ | Ford Field, Detroit, MI | DET -1.5, O/U 34.5 | DET 23-20 |
| Broncos @ Saints | Sat 1:00 PM, NFL+ | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | DEN -5.5, O/U 39.5 | DEN 20-17 |
| Seahawks @ Packers | Sat 4:00 PM, NFLN | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | GB -1.5, O/U 37.5 | GB 22-20 |
| Jaguars @ Dolphins | Sat 7:00 PM, NFLN | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | MIA -3.0, O/U 37.5 | JAX 21-20 |
| Bills @ Buccaneers | Sat 7:30 PM, NFL+ | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | BUF -3.0, O/U 37.5 | BUF 24-13 |
| Chargers @ 49ers | Sat 8:30 PM, NFL+ | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | LAC -2.5, O/U 35.5 | LAC 20-17 |
| Raiders @ Cardinals | Sat 10:00 PM, NFLN | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | LV -1.5, O/U 37.5 | LV 23-20 |
Previous Week’s Articles:
