The 2025 National Football League (NFL) preseason rolls on with three more games on the schedule for Friday night. The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons lock horns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, while the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers square off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. That game will be televised on the NFL Network. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots meet at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Let’s build our bankroll with our best NFL preseason picks and bets for Friday, August 8th’s game Commanders vs. Patriots.
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Friday’s Best NFL Preseason Picks & Bets: Commanders vs. Patriots
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Washington Commanders (+230) at New England Patriots (-280) | O/U 34.5 (-120/+100)
The Commanders and Patriots meet in the debut for Mike Vrabel at the helm of New England’s sideline.
We won’t see quarterback Jayden Daniels for Washington, and Marcus Mariota is nursing an injury, so we’re likely to see Sam Hartman before turning it over to Josh Johnson.
For New England, Drake Maye is expected to see at least a series or two, so that’s an advantage for the Patriots. Fourth overall rookie draft pick Will Campbell is expected to start, as he tries to find a little bit of consistency, with rookie Jared Wilson also getting a long look.
The Patriots have a solid group of receivers with Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins, with Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker also vying for jobs. They’re pretty deep at the skill positions.
New England is expected to take this one a little more seriously with starters, while Washington will have way more reserves. While the home team is expected to win, take the road team catching the big points and go low on the total, based on the Commanders using a rookie and a journeyman under center.
Picks: Commanders +6.5 (-110) & Under 34.5 Points (+100)
