NFL Preseason Picks: Our Best Bets For Thursday's Week 2 Games
The Panel's 2024 NFL Preseason Week 2 Picks
Our team of experts dive into the second week of the NFL preseason, focusing on insights and odds from top football betting sites.
With our extensive knowledge and know-how, we will cover key matchups, highlighting players to watch, positional battles and potential surprises.
We’ll also offer a comprehensive look at where the smart money is going, break down each game while offering our own strategies and analysis.
Keep reading for The Panel's detailed coverage and expert predictions for the early portion of the second week of this NFL preseason.
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Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots - (O/U 35.5, Patriots, -2.5)
This week's opening NFL preseason game features the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday night.
Does Drake Maye see more action this week? Maye played one series last week against Carolina and a few concerns were raised as Bailey Zappe featured the most out of the Patriot quarterbacks.
Will we see a bit more of Jalen Hurts and the first-team offense? The Eagles’ coach has played his starters less in Weeks 1 and 2 the last couple of preseasons and New England will be expected to play more of their first units on both sides of the ball.
New England have been covering well against the spread with NFL betting apps.
The Patriots won that battle in four of the last five regular-season games and typically do well in preseason contests.
With Jerod Mayo in their ranks, New England can potentially go to 2-0 in this preseason and Thursday night is a good time to side with the Patriots once again.
The Panel Pick 1: New England Patriots -2.5 Points - DraftKings -110
Are We Going Over Or Under?
This Week 2 tilt has a distinctly defensive feel.
Jerod Mayo wants to play games with more of a defensive edge and over the final five games of 2023 he started to get more active in his coaching role as the transition from Bill Belichick began early.
Yes, New England only won four games last year, but its defense was a strength. Carolina quarterbacks were sacked five times in its 17-3 Week 1 victory.
The number of sacks paled in comparison to the pressures and hurries the New England front seven generated against the Carolina offensive line.
New England are almost a field-goal favorite and are looking to build an identity in the preseason, which will be centered more on the defensive side of the ball.
That doesn't mean the offense and Maye will be ignored. However, the chances of a lower-scoring game keep increasing.
Philadelphia played Kenny Pickett and their backups for more of the game last week and while a few more starters could see some action, the expectation is that it won't be much.
Our pick with Super Bowl betting sites is for the defenses to dictate the pace at Gillette Stadium once more.
The Panel Pick 2: Philadelphia & New England Under 35.5 Points – BetMGM -105
Moneyline Trending Toward New England
The New England Patriots are watching the moneyline trend in their direction and some sportsbooks have fanned out to -145 with Caesars.
Meanwhile, BetMGM had moved to -140 and though there may be a subtle shift or two between now and Thursday evening, it won't be much.
This is the only game on Thursday night and that focuses more eyes than usual while bettors and Philadelphia fans are curious to see what the Eagles look like.
The Eagles' defense is ripe for the picking but they are fortunate to be facing a Patriots team who are not strong offensively. That said, New England will be keen to improve slightly over Week 1.
This is why the Patriots, even at that moneyline, is expected to win this Week 2 matchup.
The Panel Pick 3: New England Patriots To Win On The ML - -140 With FanDuel
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