NFL Preseason Week 2 Updated Winning Picks

NFL Preseason Week 2 Updated Winning Picks

Written by on August 14, 2017

Interesting news out of Kansas City as the team already has promoted rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes from No. 3 on the depth chart to No. 2 behind Alex Smith. The Chiefs still don’t want to play Mahomes at all this year, but obviously now he’s just an injury away from doing so.  Although the latest preseason odds for Week 2 aren’t out yet, here are two picks for this weekend’s NFL preseason action.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Updated Winning Picks

Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys

When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 7 PM ET Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington TV: NFL Network Radio: 107.5 FM The Fan (Indianapolis) / 105.3 The Fan (Dallas) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Preseason Lines: TBA

No Luck Again

The Colts lost their preseason opener 24-10 at home to Detroit without starting QB Andrew Luck and he’s not playing this one, either. You aren’t going to see him at all this preseason and there are whispers he might not be ready for the regular season off shoulder surgery. The Colts are denying that. Well, the coaches were denying it. Owner Jim Irsay has hedged a bit. “I don’t want to act that it is a foregone conclusion that he’s not going to be starting out there [against the Rams],” Irsay said Sunday. “I mean, he could but also could not. We don’t see an extended delay, but we’re not going to put a timetable on it. We will not put any pressure on this decision.” Luck’s backup is Scott Tolzien and he completed 2-of- 5 passes for 24 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions Sunday in the Colts’ preseason loss to the Lions. Tolzien was mostly off the mark, only completing a four-yard screen to Jack Doyle and a 20-yard strike over the middle to Brandon Williams. Also missing Sunday’s game were center Ryan Kelly (foot), guard Joe Haeg (burner), safety Clayton Geathers (neck), linebacker Jon Bostic (finger), linebacker Antonio Morrison (groin) and receiver Phillip Dorsett (hamstring).

NFL Preseason Week 2 Sure Winners

Cowboys in 3rd Game

Because Dallas played in the Hall of Fame Game, this is the Cowboys’ third preseason game. That should mean the starters play here. The team is 1-1, winning the HOF Game 20-18 over Arizona and then losing Saturday at the Rams, 13-10. Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant and Ezekiel Elliott were among several starters sitting out for the Cowboys vs. the Rams, who didn’t manage a first down until the second quarter and got just nine first downs all game. Elliott was given a six-game suspension by the NFL on Friday for injuring his girlfriend in July 2016. But that doesn’t affect his preseason status. Darren McFadden rushed six times for 28 yards in Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams, adding a five-yard reception. He likely will be the team’s starter in the games Elliott misses.

NFL Preseason Betting Trends

  • Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
  • Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 7:30 PM ET Where: FedEx Field, Landover TV: Local only (NFL Network replay) Radio: 620 WTMJ (Green Bay) / WTEM 980 AM (Washington) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Preseason Lines: TBA

Will Rodgers Play?

Green Bay won its preseason opener 24-9 over the Eagles playing without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It’s not clear if Rodgers will play here; if he does, it surely won’t be much. Brett Hundley started vs. Philly and finished 8 of 15 for 90 yards before sitting out the second half. The Packers got some bad news, though, as cornerback Damarious Randall suffered a concussion so you won’t see him here. It’s an unfortunate start for a player who missed six games last season because of a groin injury. Penciled in as a starter for 2017, Randall will be replaced in the meantime by rookie Kevin King. The injury occurred Thursday night, when Philadelphia Eagles receiver Bryce Treggs delivered a blow to his head. Meanwhile, guard Don Barclay left the game with an ankle injury. Are the Packers a safe bet in Week 2 of the NFL Preseason? The running game really struggled vs. the Eagles. The starter, Ty Montgomery, carried the ball three times for zero yards (minus-3, plus-5 and minus-2), and fumbled on the 5-yard gain. The top rookie, fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams, carried four times for 14 yards with a long gain of 5. Fifth-round pick Aaron Jones, earned two carries for zero yards. The starting offensive line played only the first quarter, so that could be partly why.

Redskins Need Improvement

Washington played a terrible preseason opener, losing 23-3 in Baltimore. Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins went three-and- out on his two possessions, completing 1 of 2 passes. Washington managed only 47 yards on 27 plays while falling behind 13-0 at halftime. “It was a good wake-up call for us. We need to play better,” Cousins said. To make matters worse, linebacker Trent Murphy tore his ACL and MCL. Murphy, who notched a career-high nine sacks in 2016, will miss the season. He already was suspended for the first four games because he violated the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. By league rules, Murphy can serve the suspension while on injured reserve, so he will be clear to return for Week 1 of the 2018 season. Safety Cravens, expected to start at strong safety, will miss two or three weeks after suffering a knee injury vs. the Ravens. Cravens has a history of knee issues. WR Josh Doctson (hamstring) is expected to miss another 4-5 days of camp. He’s been out since August 6. Doctson will likely miss the Redskins’ next preseason game.

NFL Preseason Betting Trends

  • Redskins are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
  • Home team is 3-1- 1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

Expert NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions

No Luck for sure so back the Cowboys. Perhaps no Rodgers so also lean Washington.