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This is an 8* O/U PUNI$HER on the OVER Steelers/Lions.

Playing the preseason is about playing "situations" in my opinion. Once again the starters will see little to no playing time in this one, but for a number of different "situational" reasons, I like the way this one sets up to be more of a "shootout" rather than a lower-scoring defensive battle.

Pittsburgh has a few things still to work on, most only on the offensive end, as it enters the final preseason game at 0-2 SU/ATS, having scored just 15 total points between the two losses. 

And for Detroit, it's 1-1, falling 14-3 at the Giants, before then holding on for the 24-23 win at KC last week as a 9.5-point dog. 

But now back at home for the first time this year, the Lions will also look to push the pace.

Pittsburgh still has plenty of question marks heading into the regular season. The three QB's of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen haven't instilled much confidence.

Pittsburgh's defense has been its strength so far in the preseason, but now on the road in this meaningless contest, we can expect the starting unit to sit this one out.

Detroit still has battles going on at several offensive backup positions. Once again Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker will be fighting for QB2. There is also several players battling for WR spots. The Lions allowed 23 points last weekend, and with nothing to prove here, we can expect the backups for the home side to see 99% of the time tonight as well.

With each team pushing the pace offensively like I suspect, while not putting an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball at the same time, I'm going to suggest a play on the OVER in this one.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the OVER 49ers/Raiders.

I think the conditions are right for a higher-scoring affair here between the 49ers and Raiders on Friday night.

As per usual, starters will see little to no playing time whatsoever in this one.

Las Vegas still has a lot to work on. It's important to not read TOO much into preseason results, but at 0-2 SU/ATS, so far the Raiders have left everything to be desired. 

They were competitive in Minnesota falling 24-23, but fell apart at home 27-12 at home to Dallas last week. 

Both Raiders totals so far in the preseason have been in the 40-point range, making this the lowest by far so far. And it's a little TOO low in my opinion.

San Fran is 1-1, playing to two tight and lower-scoring battles. 

But with each team opening things up offensively like I anticipate, everything points to this total flying OVER the number sooner, rather than later in my opinion.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the OVER Dolphins/Bucs.

I think the conditions are right for a higher-scoring affair here between the Dolphins and Bucs on Friday night.

As per usual, starters will see little to no playing time whatsoever in this one.

Betting totals is about betting "situations" and this one sets up to be a much more offensive affair than what the oddsmakers are leading us to believe in my opinion.

Miami is 2-0 SU/ATS, and both games have gone UNDER the number. But with the team hitting the road for the first time so far this season, I say it's finally the defense which takes a "back seat" for the Fish.

The top priority will be to get out of Tampa without any significant injuries. 

Tampa is 1-1 SU, with both games going UNDER.

It lost 20-7 at Jacksonville last week, and both games have come on the road. Now back at home for the first time, we can expect the offense to push the pace.

Everything points to this total flying OVER the number sooner, rather than later.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the OVER Jags/Falcons.

I think the conditions are right for a higher-scoring affair here between the Jags and Falcons on Friday night.

As per usual, starters will see little to no playing time whatsoever in this one.

The Jags are 2-0 SU/ATS to open the pre-season, and both games have gone UNDER the number. But now here playing their first road game of the season, I'm expecting the defense to take a major step back here.

The Falcons are 0-2 SU and both games have gone UNDER the number. Both games were on the road. Now back at home the Falcons will be the hungrier side here as they look to have something positive to build off of heading into the regular season.

Everything points to this total flying OVER the number sooner, rather than later.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* BOOKIEKILLER on Kansas City.

Betting the NFL preseason is all about betting "situations." And that's especially true in the final week.

The defending champs are 0-2 SU/ATS in the preseason. Once again, the starters will see little, to absolutely NO playing time in this one. For both sides.

KC will still be taking this Week 3 game considerably more seriously than their counterpart though, as the Bears will look to just "go through the motions" and get out of this game without any significant injuries.

The Bears are already 3-0 SU/ATS so far in the pre-season, and really have very little left to work on. 

The Chiefs have nothing to prove, but look for the home side's backups to play with a little more pride here and while I clearly believe an outright win is a possibility, in the end I'll recommend to grab as many points as you can with KC.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* PUNI$HER on the Bengals.

These games are meaningless, but at 0-2 so far in the preseason, the Bengals will look to close out with something positive to build off of.

Indianapolis is 1-1 after pulling away for the 21-13 victory at home over Arizona. The Colts played their first two games at home, but now on the road I'm expecting the visitors to just "go through the motions" here.

Starters will once again see little to no playing time here. No time of any real significance, that's for sure.

But the overall situation in my opinion favors the home side and while the outright is clearly not out of the question, in the end I'll recommend to grab as many points as you can.

The play is CINCINNATI.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* NFC NON-DIV GOW on the 49ers moneyline.

After a slim 16-14 road win at Arizona last week, unable to cover the three points, I think that the Saints will stumble here in their second straight road NFLX contest.

San Francisco will be more motivated here to bounce back after a 17-13 loss at Tennessee, the 49ers however going on to cover with the six-points they were afforded in that one.

I'll recommend bypassing the spread option and instead, just take the home side to win this game outright. 

New Orleans' starters saw little action last week, and that'll again be the case here. After a decent first game, the Saints will be looking to get out of San Fran without any significant injuries being their No. 1 priority. 

San Fran once again has big aspirations this season. Now back home for their first game of the season, and with the starters scheduled to see more playing time in this one, I say the correct call for sure is the 49ERS on the MONEYLINE option.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* NFLX GOY on the Raiders.

I wasn't quick enough to get down on the Raiders right away, as there has been quite a bit of line movement on this one since it very first opened. But still under a TD worth of points to cover here is way too good to turn down in this situation in my opinion.

Both teams played and lost last week, but Las Vegas looked a lot better and here in Week 2, I believe they'll keep the foot on the gas from start to finish.

Dallas lost 13-12 at the Rams as a 5.5-point favorite. Backup Trey Lance was an unremarkable 25 of 41 for 188 passing yards, which works out to about 4.8 YPP. The Raiders fell 24-23 on the road at Minnesota.

Gardner Minshew was 6 of 12 for 117 yards and a TD for the Raiders last week, which was 9.8 yards per pass. There's a QB battle going on between Minshew and Aidan O’Connell and this is a big reason why I like LAS VEGAS to cover the spread at home in Week 2 of the 2024 NFLX season.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the Jaguars.

For a couple of different reasons, I feel the value here is to bypass the spread option and instead to just lay the price for Jacksonville to win this game straight-up.

Both teams enter Week 2 at 1-0. Both teams also finished 9-8 last year. Last week the Bucs won a satisfying 17-14 victory over the Bengals and I think they're now primed for ac classic letdown in their performance here in Week 2. Kyle Trask will once again see most of the snaps for the Bucs this week, but I anticipate him struggling.

The Jags hammered KC 26-13 last week. Former Patriot Mac Jones is going to see the majority of ths time in this one, as this is his big opportunity to showcase his skills for his new team after being on a short-leash in New England the last two years.

Jones is a high-level backup QB and I expect him to be a difference-maker in the outcome of this contest for the hoem side.

The play is JACKSONVILLE on the MONEYLINE option.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the Colts.

I'm going to suggest bypassing the spread option, and instead just play Indianapolis to win this game straight-up.

Arizona is off the 16-14 loss at home to New Orleans, and I believe it'll have an even more difficult time moving the ball here in Week 2 on the road. 

Indianapolis lost 34-30 at home to Denver and while the Colts were unable to cover the spread in Week 1, I say they're in line to get their first victory of the season here on Saturday night.

Arizona QB Kyler Murray isn't playing in the preseason, so we'll see Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder continue to battle for the backup spot. They looked poor overall last weekend.

The Colts defense catches a break this week, and Anthony Richardson and the rest of this Indianpolis offense will step up and find a way to deliver their first victory of the season.

The play is the COLTS on the MONEYLINE option.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* play on the Browns.

I'm going to suggest bypassing the spread option and instead to just play the home side to win this game straight up, and to therefore take the Browns on the moneyline.

The Browns fell 23-10 at home to Green Bay last weekend, but I'm going to cautious reading too much into that result. 

Minnesota on the other hand held on for the 24-23 home win over Las Vegas as a three-point dog, but now on the road here in Week 2, I expect the visitors to take a step back.

Dorian Thompson Robinson is going to get plenty of playing time here once again under center for the Browns and I think he'll be the difference-maker in the outcome of this contest.

Lay the price, the play is CLEVELAND on the MONEYLINE option.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* TOP TOTAL on the OVER Eagles/Patriots.

Betting the preseason is about betting "situations," as it's now less predictable than it's ever been with just three games, instead of four.

Either way, I think this is a "great" situation here on Thursday night to play the total, and after each side comes into Week 2 off a low-scoring victory, I'm anticipating a much more wide-open offensive affair here in Week 2.

Philly hung on for the 16-13 outright win in Baltimore, while the Pats pulled away for the 17-3 win at home over Carolina.

The Eagles' backups looked decent last week, with Kenny Pickett throwing for 89 yards and a TD. 

Bailey Zappe threw for 108 yards for the Pats, while Joe Milton III was 4 of 6 along with a TD.

These teams have lots to work on in the pre-season, but I say the stage is set for some offensive fireworks, so the play is the OVER.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* TOTAL $IZZLER on the UNDER Cowboys/Rams.

Betting the preseason isn't easy. I'm "primarily" a situational capper, and so I definitely "pick and choose" my spots.

I thought the NFL preseason was more "predictable" when it had four games. The third game saw the starters play for the majority of the contest, and there was a "week-to-week" sort of "pattern" that each team followed.

But the preseason has now become even more unpredictable with just the three games.

Both the Rams and the Cowboys had pretty good seasons last year, but they each stumbled in first round of the playoffs.

The Rams had a great second half and QB Matt Stafford put up at least 28 points in five of LA's last seven games. But he won't be under center in this one, meaning we'll get a heavy dose of Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn. 

LA went 0-3 in the preseason last year, and each game went OVER the number. LA allowed 22.2 PPG in the regular season last year. The Rams strength was on the defensive side of the ball and I expect that to be much more of a concern in the 2024 preseason. Combined with these sub-par backups under center, I think the Rams will have a difficult time moving the ball effectively on the offensive end.

Dallas averaged 29.9 points with Dak Prescott, while conceding 18.5. The Rams went 1-2 in the preseason last year, with all three games also going OVER the number.

Cooper Rush and Trey Lance will also struggle to move the ball against what I predict will be a decent Rams defense in this one though, as this game will ultimately be decided by field position once it's all said and done.

With each team putting an added emphasis onto the defensive side of the ball like I suspect, the UNDER is the correct call as far as the total is concerned in my opinion.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* NFLX TOY on the UNDER Saints/Cardinals.

These teams should do better than they did last year, but here in Week 1 of the presason, it'll just be the backups and wannabe's participating. I have no faith in either team's backup QB's.

The Saints are $99.6 million over the Salary Cap, so New Orleans is desperately looking for lower-paid fringe players to fill the gaps. It's an important pre-season for New Orleans as it looks to fill these holes, but actually winning games is the furthest thing from the Saints' minds right now. 

Derek Carr isn't expected to see much or any time for New Orleans under center, meaning that it's wide open for the No. 2 spot still between Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Nathan Peterman. 

The Cardinals struggled last year on both sides of the ball, but the offense should be better with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. And that's if QB Kyler Murray can stay healthy. I dont' have a lot of faith in his backups Desmond Ridder or Clayton Tune either.

Also not, that Arizona has 12 rookies to deal with this year, meaning that the Cards also have plenty to work on the preseason, and actually winning games at this moment just isn't a top priority.

I think this will be an awkward back and forth contest, one that ends well UNDER the posted number once it's all said and done.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* MASTERPIECE on the Ravens moneyline.

I suggest laying the reasonable mid-sized price for the Ravens to win this game outright.

Philadelphia made the Super Bowl and started 2023/24 by going 11-1, but then the Eagles slipped and lost six of seven brutally. Philly focussed on the defensive side of the ball in the off-season, but the starters here for each side will see limited time.

The Ravens' biggest move was acquiring bruising RB Derrick Henry. Again, neither likely will see any time here.

Up until last year, John Harbough and the Ravens had a 24-game NFLX win streak going, and now they'll look to start their new run here in Week 1. Harbough plays to win in the preseason, and that's the reason I have no issues at all in laying this reasonable mid-sized price.

The play is BALTIMORE on the MONEYLINE option.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* SIDE WINNER on the Giants.

The preseason is all about picking and choosing spots. Quite Frankly, there isn't a lot of value in these games over the next three weeks, with the majority of starters not seeing much or ANY time whatsoever.

But here's a great spot bet. This is the biggest spread on the Week 1 NFLX board, but not big enough in my opinion.

Detroit is expected to give Hendon Hooker extended time under center and the second year QB did not play at all during the preseason last year, and he's apparently already been struggling in OTA's this season (possibly due to injury again.)

The Giants will counter mostly with Drew Lock, who has massive potential and many want him to replace starter Daniel Jones.

Look for NEW YORK to not only win this game, but to do so in blowout fashion.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* BOOKIEKILLER on the Seahawks.

I like Seattle to keep the foot on the gas here at home vs. "America's team" and to not only win this game, but to do so in blowout fashion.

The Cowboys are just going to go through the motions once again in my estimation after coming up short at home vs. Jacksonville in last week's 28-23 setback. 

Dak Prescott isn't scheduled to see any time, and if he does, it'll be for only a series. Regardless, this Dallas offense looks impotent without Prescott directing the show, and now dealing with the absence of Ezekiel Elliot.

Seattle fell behind Minnesota early last week, but then put the foot on the gas and won 24-13. QB Drew Lock had 191 passing yards, two TD's and an INT. 

Dallas on the other hand turned the ball over three times last week. 

With Seattle expected to work more of its starters into the rotation in Week 2, I'm expecting a complete blowout here.

Lay the points, the play is SEATTLE.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* BEST OF THE BEST on the GIANTS on the MONEYLINE.

Carolina lost 27-0 to the Jets in its opener, and now I think it'll have its hands full here with the other New York team on Friday night.

Instead of worrying about the spread option though, I'm going to recommend just playing New York on the moneyline option.

The Giants are off a 21-16 loss at Detroit.

The old eye test though reveals that Carolina sure looked like garbage though overall. Bryce Young was 4 of 6 for 21 yards. His offensive line was terrible.

The defense was the brigh tspot in the 27-0 loss. 

New York essentially sat out all of its offensive starters last week, with QB Tommy DeVito seeing the bulk of the time by going 15 of 24 for 155 yards and a TD.

New York has the better defense is playing at home.

Lay the price on the GIANTS on the MONEYLINE.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* TOW on the UNDER Browns/Eagles.

The Browns are 1-1 and the Eagles are 0-1 so far in the preseason.

Philly went OVER the number in its last game with 39 points, but the Browns have seen an average of 33.5 PPG so far over their first two games. 

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles first offense will see their very first action of the year, and it won't be a lot. 

And with the Browns expected to concetrate on the run game while on offense, the sharp move as far as the total is concerned is indeed on the UNDER in my opinion.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* BOOKIEKILLER on the 49ers.

The bottom line here is that San Fran has a QB battle going on, and it will throughout the preseason. Brock Purdy is expected to be the No. 1 guy, but there will be a fight for the No. 2 spot between Trey Lance and Sam Darnold.

The 49ers also play to win the preseason, as Kyle Shanahan is 7-3 in his last ten preseason games.

On the flip-side, Raiders' coach Josh McDaniels is just 6-6 in his preseason career. 

Las Vegas is thin, especially at the QB position where its backup is 37-year old Brian Hoyer. 

I'm banking on San Fran not only winning this game, but doing so by a sizeable margin.

The play is the 49ERS.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* NFLX GOY on the Saints MONEYLINE.

If this were the regular season, I'd be leaning KC here, but it's not and the Saints have plenty of things working in their favor here in Week 1 of the preseason. 

Andy Reid and the Chiefs are the defending champs, but there's plenty of concern heading into the season because of line-up changes. Chris Jones is a hold out, and Charles Omenihu is suspended for the first third of the seasOn. 

There's also plenty of young receiving talent that will need to see time to "get up to speed" with the pro game.

The Chiefs aren't expected to play their starters much, or at all in this one, while the Saints are going to play their starters.

That works in favor of Derek Carr to give him a chance for a few reps with the first-team offense. And then having Jameis Winston as a back-up QB is a huge bonus for the Saints obviously.

The Chiefs have issues to deal with, and nothing to play for here. This is a bigger deal for the Saints, and they have a lot of different situational factors working in their favor.

Forget the spread, the play is NEW ORLEANS on the MONEYLINE.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* EXPRESS on the RAVENS on the MONEYLINE.

The Ravens don't lose in the preaseason, and I'm banking on that streak continuing here, but instead of worrying about the spread, I'm going to just lay the price on the moneyline. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles will be hoping that they don't suffer a Super Bowl letdown as the loser often does the following year after they lost 38-35 to the Chiefs. The offense and defense look great for both teams. The Ravens finished 10-7 and fell to the Bengals 24-17 in the Wildcard. Baltimore is 23-0 SU in its last 23 preseason games, and all signs point to another SU victory here. Lay the price, the play is BALTIMORE on the MONEYLINE.

Good luck, NP

This is an 8* SITUATIONAL DESTRUCTION on the JAGUARS on the MONEYLINE.

The preseason comes down to head coaching and motivation. Because at the end of the day, no one cares if they win or lose. Finding little angles that you can take advantage of is also key, and in this contest, the Jags are expected to give all their starters some game-time action in this one, and because of that, I like Jacksonville to post a SU victory (note, the Jags won 34-14 when these teams met in the preseason last year.)

Good luck, NP