We've got a busy day of NFL preseason action. I'm talking about eight games, starting at 1:00 p.m. EST with the Giants and Bills and ending at 8:30 p.m. EST with the Broncos and 49ers. From a betting perspective, there are several good opportunities. But which ones are the best? That's never an easy question to answer, but it becomes even more challenging during the preseason since winning is not a priority. But that doesn't stop us from separating the best NFL preseason picks and bets from the rest.
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Saturday’s Best NFL Preseason Picks & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Giants (+3) vs. Buffalo Bills (-105) | O/U 36.5 (-105/-115)
Giants head coach Brian Daboll has said starters will see playing time, but has not divulged how much. However, it would be surprising to see Russell Wilson plan more than a series or two. That would leave Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart and Tommy DeVito to get the bulk of the snaps.
As for the Bills, the first-string offense minus Josh Allen will play potentially around a quarter. Mitchell Trubisky is set to start, but we'll probably see Mike White and Shane Buechele quite a bit. Sean McDermott (Bills) has a 15-9 record in preseason play; Brian Daboll has a 4-5 mark.
A win would benefit Daboll more than McDermott; coaches on losing teams often like to take advantage of good teams when they don't put their best foot forward.
Without their QB1 at the helm, I don't have much confidence in either offense getting the ball moving, and even if they do, the scoring will stop once the backups get in.
Pick: Under 36.5 Points (-115)
Houston Texans (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (-170) | O/U 38.5 (-105/-115)
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has said that J.J. McCarthy will play versus the Texans, but it would be a little surprising to see many of the team's first-string skill position players, if any. Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson are both listed as questionable.
However, seeing as McCarthy suffered the injury that ended his rookie season before it began in the preseason opener last year, he may not see more than a series or two. As for the Texans, they are already dealing with quite a few injuries in camp and will not want to add to the list in this game.
Houston's camp injuries and the desire to keep McCarthy healthy will translate into a lack of offense in this game and a relatively low score.
Pick: Under 38.5 Points (-115)
Denver Broncos (-6.5) vs. San Francsico 49ers (+240) | O/U 34.5 (-115/-105)
We can expect to see Bo Nix play for about a quarter for the Denver Broncos; head coach Sean Payton has said his starters will play. But this being the first preseason game, fans shouldn't expect to see them for long. San Francisco has not provided specifics as to who or how long starters will play.
Kyle Shanahan is 12-11-1 straight up (SU) in preseason games and 13-10-1 against the spread (ATS). Sean McDermott went 3-0 last season, his first in Denver, but has a 33-33 all-time preseason record.
This is a pretty low total, but I don't expect to see Nix for long. Once he's gone, the Broncos’ chances of producing on offense will go away, too. With Brock Purdy out and several key players listed as questionable, we will not see many - if any stars (or offense) - for the 49ers.
Pick: Under 34.5 Points (-105)
