NFL Preseason Picks & Predictions: Week 2 (Friday)

Get comfy on the couch because Week 2 of the NFL preseason continues with three games on Friday night. It's a time when positional battles are fought, and players hidden on the depth chart make a name for themselves. As unpredictable as preseason action can be, there's still betting value to be found. Here's a look at three of my favorite NFL preseason picks for Friday's slate.

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Friday's Best NFL Preseason Picks

(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

While the Steelers opened as a 2.5-point favorite on Friday, they have since flipped to an underdog. That is because head coach Mike McCarthy announced that quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph will not suit up.

Second-year pro Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar will split the snaps. The duo combined to complete 17-of-22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns last week. Allar also displayed keen awareness when he snuck through a gap in the defense for a three-yard rushing score.

On the other side, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has hinted that his starters will see some action. It remains to be seen if that includes quarterback Geno Smith, who didn’t play against the Buccaneers due to an ankle injury.

Take note that New York scored just six points after the first quarter in a loss to Tampa Bay, as its reserve signal-callers couldn’t sustain momentum. They suffered four sacks and threw two interceptions. That doesn’t inspire hope ahead of facing a Pittsburgh defense that stresses physicality.

I’m going to zig when the oddsmakers are zagging. The Steelers possess underrated quarterback depth and will have the home fans on their side. Bank on them emerging victorious.

Pick: Steelers Moneyline (+110)

Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars

This is an intriguing matchup as both squads are expected to roll out their starters at EverBank Stadium.

The Panthers employed the same strategy in a Week 1 preseason loss to the Bills. It didn’t go well, as they punted after a three-and-out on all three drives led by starting quarterback Bryce Young. Carolina finally reached the end zone via a Kenny Pickett passing touchdown with 29 seconds left in the first half. Defensively, the Panthers surrendered 396 total yards and a whopping 5.8 yards per rush attempt.

Friday is a great opportunity for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to build chemistry with players like Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington.

Lawrence is coming off an excellent campaign, eclipsing 4,000 passing yards and posting 38 total touchdowns. The Jaguars scored the first touchdown in 12 of their 17 regular-season games in 2025. Meanwhile, the Panthers scored the first touchdown in a disappointing seven of their 17 regular-season contests. Grab Jacksonville to find pay dirt first.

Pick: Jaguars to Score the First Touchdown (+101)

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos

Talk about an impressive streak. The Broncos have tallied at least 24 points in each of their past eight preseason battles. A 97-yard pick-six by cornerback Jahdae Barron and a five-yard receiving touchdown from running back Jaleel McLaughlin highlighted Denver’s latest 27-7 win over the Falcons.

Fans are in for a treat on Friday as starting quarterback Bo Nix will be on the field for the first time since suffering a fractured right ankle in the playoffs. Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger will follow him.

The Packers’ defensive performance versus the Steelers left a lot to be desired. They allowed the Steelers to rack up 28 points on 385 total yards. Pittsburgh converted on seven of its 13 third-down attempts and scored a touchdown on four of its five trips to the red zone.

Whether or not quarterback Jordan Love shines isn’t going to impact what happens on the defensive side of the ball. Counting on a consistent Denver offense instead of a shaky Green Bay defense is the move to make. Lock this team total bet in with confidence.

Pick: Broncos Team Total Over 23.5 Points (-115)