2024 Week 2 NFL Preseason: Low Totals This Week
Expect to See Starters a Little Bit More
Week 2 NFL Preseason: Varying Team Strategies Unfold
The second week of the NFL preseason is here and teams have different approaches. Some will treat the game how Week 3 was treated during the four-game preseason schedules. The starters will play into the second quarter. Other coaches are content with practice and joint scrimmages to play primarily backups. Don’t be surprised to see some 2024 Week 2 NFL preseason line moves as the week progresses and teams make their intentions clear.
Discover NFL Week Preseason updates and insights. Don’t miss out!
Eagles vs Patriots 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Philadelphia -2.5
Total: 35.5
The Eagles opened as 2.5-point favorites over New England in a game between teams that won their opening game. Philadelphia played its starters for a series against Baltimore and will likely get them in the game a bit here. The Patriots had an easy time with Carolina, but the Eagles should prove a tougher matchup. Still, there’s a rationale in taking the Patriots as a small home underdog in this one.
Falcons vs Ravens 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Atlanta -1.5
Total: 36.5
Both teams were on the losing end last week, with John Harbaugh’s preseason magic seemingly going out the door with the move to the three-game preseason schedule. Michael Penix played a fair amount for the Falcons and will likely see more time here. The Ravens went through the motions in last week’s 16-13 loss to the Eagles. We have to give a slight lean to Baltimore as a home underdog.
Bengals vs Bears 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Chicago -3 (+100)
Total: 37.5
Caleb Williams had a decent debut last week and will likely see a bit more action in this one, but probably not too much. The Bears aren’t taking any chances with their prized rookie. The 2024 Week 2 NFL preseason odds have Chicago -3 over a Bengals team more interested in starting the season with a healthy Joe Burrow than anything. It makes sense for the Bears to be favored here. The Bears clobbered Buffalo last week and might be looking to keep the momentum going.
Giants vs Texans 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Houston -3
Total: 39.5
The Texans are good-sized favorites here, even though the Giants have a decent QB rotation for the preseason, with all quarterbacks having some starting experience. The Texans had the advantage last week of having played in the Hall of Fame Game. This tends to help teams entering the first week of the preseason. They won’t have that in this one, so you can make a case for taking the Giants.
Lions vs Chiefs 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Kansas City -3.5
Total: 38.5
If this were a regular season game, there would be plenty of wagering on the NFL prop bets today. It’s not, however, so it’s unlikely we’ll see Patrick Mahomes or Jared Goff much, if at all. Both teams are well set at quarterback and there’s nothing for either to prove in the preseason. There were 30 points scored in the first half of Kansas City‘s preseason game with Jacksonville, but just nine in the second half. The Lions mailed it in early in a 14-3 loss to the Giants. They’ll put more effort into this one, but probably not too much.
Vikings vs Browns 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Cleveland -3
Total: 37.5
JJ McCarthy made some nice plays in his debut and he’s challenging for the starting job, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Minnesota‘s two quarterbacks play a fair amount here. Sam Darnold is the starter right now, but McCarthy could take over sooner than later. Cleveland’s running game wasn’t impressive at all in its opener. The NFL team stats show just 56 rushing yards and a long gain of nine yards. The Browns could work on the ground game here, which could help the under.
Seahawks vs Titans 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Tennessee -2.5 (-120)
Total: 38.5
The Seahawks rushed for 156 yards in their preseason opener, with the defense taking care of business on their end. Sam Howell didn’t play badly in his Seattle debut. Tennessee held off the 49ers, who were more interested in getting Joshua Dobbs playing time than anything else. The total is about where you would expect it to be.
Cardinals vs Colts 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Indianapolis -3.5
Total: 37.5
The Colts are favored by a hair over a field goal. It’s unlikely we’ll see much of Kyler Murray here if he plays at all. Arizona probably isn’t going to take any chances. The Colts were on the losing end of a 34-30 game with Denver, but things probably won’t be as exciting in this one.
Bills vs Steelers 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Pittsburgh -2
Total: 36.5
Buffalo was dismal in its preseason opener, while the Steelers didn’t do a whole lot themselves. Justin Fields looked good for the Steelers and Kyle Allen didn’t play badly. Pittsburgh was sloppy with the ball, fumbling four times, but recovering three. That’s something it needs to work on. We will have to side with the Steelers in this one.
Commanders vs Dolphins 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Dolphins -1.5
Total: 36.5
The NFL odds are tentative on this game as the sportsbooks wait to see how long Jayden Daniels will play. The second-overall pick looked good last week and has received plenty of good reviews during training camp. Miami ran the ball well in its opener, but the passing game left something to be desired.
Jets vs Panthers 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: New York -3.5
Total: 33.5
The Jets are 3.5-point road favorites and Aaron Rodgers won’t be playing. Carolina was dismal in its opener, getting trounced by New England. The Panthers will probably look to make a better impression on the home fans in this one and are probably one of the best NFL bets this week.
Rams vs Chargers 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Rams -1
Total: 33.5
The Rams are the slightest of favorites and the total lets you know not to expect to see a lot from the starters. Both teams were in low-scoring games last week and the sportsbooks expect more of the same this week.
Buccaneers vs Jaguars 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Jacksonville -3
Total: 37.5
Both teams were winners in their season openers and the Jags are field-goal favorites here. Tampa Bay ran the ball well last week and that’s the biggest team need. The 2024 Week 2 NFL preseason odds are a little high on the total and believe the under is probably the way to go here.
Cowboys vs Raiders 
⏰Day/Time: 🏈Odds: Las Vegas -4.5
Total: 36.5
The Raiders lost in the final minute to Minnesota in a game where both quarterbacks, Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell looked decent. Both could play extended minutes here, so it makes sense for the Raiders to be favored by more than a field goal. Dallas could go through the motions, so taking Las Vegas makes a bit of sense in this one.
Packers vs Broncos 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: Denver -4.5
Total: 38.5
Sunday’s schedule has an interesting one in Denver, as the Broncos scored 34 points in their opener. Bo Nix looked good at quarterback. Jordan Love didn’t play much in the opener but could see more time in this one. He isn’t quite established enough to sit out the entire preseason. The total is still on the high side to take the over.
Saints vs 49ers 
⏰Day/Time:
🏈Odds: San Francisco -2.5
Total: 35.5
The Saints edged the Cardinals late, while the 49ers came up short in their opener. San Francisco will probably get Dobbs more playing time here, while Derek Carr will likely make a short appearance for New Orleans. He didn’t impress last week but will be ready for the season opener. The over could be worth a look here.
2024 NFL Preseason Odds
For NFL picks, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
