The final game of the exhibition season is on tap this week and we have our best NFL picks against the spread, on the moneyline, as well as the top total on the board.
This is our last chance to make some cash before the regular season begins so let’s go!
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at FirstEnergy Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Chicago Bears
The Bears are a perfect 2-0 straight up and against the spread in the preseason, courtesy of a 19-14 over the Chiefs at home and a 27-11 road win over the Seahawks.
Last week’s triumph in Seattle wasn’t even as close as the 16-point margin of victory suggests as the Bears led 24-0 with only minutes remaining in the final quarter.
Justin Fields led a field goal-scoring drive while backups Nathan Peterman and Trevor Siemian got the majority of the work.
Cleveland Browns
It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Browns and it has seeped into the preseason with the circus surrounding Deshaun Watson’s off-field exploits grabbing headlines.
Aside from a 1-of-5 outing in Cleveland’s first game, the snaps have been reserved for backups Joshua Dobbs and Josh Rosen. We expect more of the same on Saturday as Watson faces an 11-game suspension.
Pick and Prediction
Justin Fields has looked sharp in the time he has led the offense and his backups are both battle-tested veterans.
The Bears appear to be the sharper of the two units headed into this one and I like the fact that the NFL odds over at Caesars are giving us a 4 ½ point head start versus 4 ½ at other shops.
Predicted Score: Browns 24 – Bears 21
NFL Pick: Bears +4 ½ (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at Nissan Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals enter Saturday night’s matchup in the Music City with a 1-1 straight up and ATS record with a 36-23 win over the Bengals followed by a 24-17 loss to the Ravens last week.
Backup quarterback Trace McSorley was 18-for-34 with 229 passing yards, no touchdowns, and a pair of picks in last week’s contest. Lamar Jackson has yet to see any preseason action and we suspect it will stay that way in their meeting with the Titans.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee also lost to the Ravens, 23-10, but rebounded last week with a 13-3 victory over the Bucs.
Malik Willis, the rookie out of Liberty the Titans snagged in the third round, has shown flashes of brilliance coupled with moments of indecision. He looked better last game when he connected on his first touchdown pass, a six-yard toss to Chigoziem Okonkwo.
Pick and Prediction
I like the Titans at home and the fact that of all the backups that will be playing in this one, Malik Willis has the best chance to become a starter at some point in this league.
We should also note that the Titans would prefer to keep two quarterbacks on their roster and will likely give Willis every opportunity to secure the backup position. Willis knows it and if he is ever going to put on a show then Saturday night’s the night.
Predicted Score: Titans 24 – Cardinals 22
NFL Pick: Titans ML (-160) at PointsBet
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 07:30 PM EDT at Lucas Oil Stadium
Teams’ Preseason Analysis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady is back in the fold but unlikely to see any action on Saturday. Thus far the Bucs are winless in the preseason and are 1-1 in terms of the Over/Under.
Last week they could muster only a field goal in their 13-3 loss to the Titans but if we are looking for a silver lining, the Bucs’ defense was relatively stout.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been involved in two shootouts this season but both resulted in losses. A 27-24 loss to the Bills coupled with a 27-26 loss to the Lions shows them at 0-2 both straight up and against the number.
Third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger was a surgical 10-of-11 last week with 88 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Pick and Prediction
I like this total very much. The public will see that the Bucs only scored 3 points last week and immediately lean towards betting the Under but that’s why the total is relatively low in this one.
The best sportsbooks understand the betting habits of Joe Q. Public and will set a number that’s advantageous to them and not the masses. However, we will turn the tables and go high in this one.
The Colts’ offense has been clicking while their defense has been lagging. And don’t expect to see a lackluster offensive effort by the Bucs this week. They will redeem themselves from last week’s dearth of scoring and get their share on a susceptible Colts’ defense. Fly high in this one!
Predicted Score: Colts 31 – Bucs 20
NFL Pick: Over 40 (-110) at FanDuel
