Week 2 of the NFL preseason is rolling on Saturday, and there are a few betting angles worth circling before the full slate gets underway.
Preseason wagering is never simple. The trick is sorting through who’s actually playing, then weighing that against how each coach tends to handle these August games. That’s where the edges usually live.
One spot that stands out is Atlanta getting 3.5 points against Indianapolis. The Falcons’ opener was ugly, but preseason results can swing fast from week to week, and that kind of spread feels like an overreaction when starters won’t be on the field for either side. Based on what Richardson and Leonard showed at quarterback for the Colts in Week 1, it’s hard to see Indianapolis creating enough separation to cover that number against Atlanta.
The Rams are another team worth backing, especially after what Sean McVay’s preseason approach usually produces. He rarely leans on his starters, which often leaves Los Angeles catching points, but his teams still have a knack for covering anyway.
That showed up in Week 1 when the Rams were underdogs and still beat the Chiefs outright. After Ty Simpson’s performance last week, it’s tough to go against Los Angeles here.
If Simpson plays well again against the Saints, and Stetson Bennett gives them steady work too, the Rams should be in position to cover.
For the total in Cardinals-Cowboys, the lean is to the over. Arizona has already been involved in high-scoring preseason games, with 63 points in the Hall of Fame Game and 41 points in its game against the Raiders.
That kind of scoring doesn’t come as a shock when you consider how shaky the Cardinals’ defense is expected to be this season. Dallas just turned in a 17-7 win over the Seahawks, but that doesn’t change the bigger picture for me.
The Cowboys’ roster hasn’t changed enough from last year to convince me their defense has taken a real step forward, and I’m expecting more of the same: offense first, defense later.
Even with backups on the field, this is a game I expect to go over.
In Other News...
Cardinals Roster Bubble Just Got Tougher After Ugly Cowboys Loss
With most of the starters resting, the Cardinals preseason loss to the Cowboys did not carry the usual weight on the scoreboard, but it still mattered for the players fighting to survive the final roster trim. Arizona fell 34-13 in a game that was more about evaluation than outcome, and there were a few encouraging signs mixed into an otherwise uneven night. Leota flashed enough to stand out, while a handful of others needed a cleaner showing to strengthen their cases.
Mike LaFleur said the staff is still sorting through player development and roster considerations as the cuts approach, which is where this kind of game can become unforgiving. Robinson and Ojulari were among the names that did not do much to separate themselves, and that leaves the bubble looking tighter than it did before kickoff. For players on the fringes, the next few days may matter even more than the final preseason score. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Tough Tip Reiman Decision Before Cutdown Day
The Cardinals got a useful roster update with cornerback Garrett Williams coming off the PUP list and back into practice, but the more complicated injury watch still centers on Tip Reiman. The second-year tight end remains on the PUP list after breaking his ankle, and with Week 1 looming, the team is still sorting through what his availability will really look like when the season opens.
Mike LaFleur said Reimans status is uncertain, which leaves Arizona with a decision to make as cutdown day approaches. For a team trying to finalize its roster, the question is not just whether Reiman can return soon, but whether the Cardinals can afford to carry him while waiting for that recovery to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Defense Just Made A Cowboys Quarterback Battle More Interesting
Joe Milton took a significant step in the Cowboys preseason quarterback competition against Arizona, making the most of his start with a sharp, efficient showing. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns and also added a rushing score as Dallas rolled to a 34-13 win, moving to 2-0 in exhibition play. For a team trying to sort out the depth chart behind Dak Prescott, it was the kind of outing that can force coaches to pay closer attention.
Brian Schottenheimer singled out Miltons control and decision-making after the game, and that matters because the backup job is still very much up for grabs. The Cardinals, meanwhile, became part of a performance that sharpened the conversation around Dallas quarterback room, with Milton giving himself a real case to keep building on when the preseason continues. [Read more 🡒]