NFL Preseason Week 2 Picks and Predictions: Ravens Look for New Streak, Will Joe Milton Impress Again?

• The Chargers and Rams scored a combined 16 points last week

• The Lions and Chiefs will play a rematch of the opening night of 2023

• The Broncos gave up 30 points last week and face the explosive Packers in Week 2

The NFL preseason is back for Week 2 as all 32 teams continue their preparation for the regular-season campaign, which begins in three weeks.

The preseason was shortened from four to three weeks, meaning teams are about to cross the halfway point in their final tune-ups. The top rookie quarterbacks impressed in Week 1, while sixth-round pick Joe Milton also stood out as one of the top performers.

Here are our best bets for Week 2 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Picks 

• Atlanta Falcons -1.5 (-105) @ Baltimore Ravens

• Minnesota Vikings +3 (-115) @ Cleveland Browns

• Miami Dolphins -1.5 (-205) vs. Washington Commanders

Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM

NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions and Odds

Odds for NFL Preseason Week 2 are sourced from BetMGM. Use our promo code WSNSPORTS at BetMGM and claim up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!*
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Eagles vs. Patriots - Thursday, August 15, 7:00 p.m. ET 

Spread: Eagles +1.5 (-110), Patriots -1.5 (-110)

Money Line: Eagles (+100), Patriots (-120)

Total: Over/under 35.5 (-115/-105)

The Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-3 in their first bit of preseason action as Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton both produced solid performances. On the other side, the Eagles beat the Baltimore Ravens behind a conservative offensive effort but solid defense. Milton potentially looks like a preseason star, so we like him to lead the Patriots to a win here.

• Eagles vs. Patriots pick: Patriots -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Falcons vs. Ravens - Saturday, August 17 @ 1:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Falcons -1.5 (-105), Ravens +1.5 (-115)

Money Line: Falcons (-120), Ravens (+100)

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

Rookie Michel Penix Jr. showed his poise and explosiveness in a solid debut, though Nathan Rourke and Taylor Heinicke were a combined 7/24 for 48 yards. The Ravens’ loss ended their 24-game preseason win streak as they too suffered from poor quarterback play. Since it is the preseason, and we expect Penix to get more reps, we’ll take him as the presumptive best quarterback in the game and the Falcons to win.

• Falcons vs. Ravens pick: Falcons -1.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Giants vs. Texans - Saturday, August 17 @ 1:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Giants +3.5 (-110), Texans -3.5 (-110)

Money Line: Giants (+155), Texans (-190)

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

Tommy DeVito reminded Giants fans why he was a cult hero last year as he led his team to a 14-3 win over the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener. Unfortunately for him and the G-Men, they’re facing a Texans squad with depth and energy, and one that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-12 last week. It will be tough for NY to pull out a win, but we like them catching three-and-a-half points.

• Giants vs. Texans pick: Giants +3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Bengals vs. Bears - Saturday, August 17 @ 1:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Bengals +3 (-120), Bears -3 (+100)

Money Line: Bengals (+125), Bears (-150)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-110/-110)

The Bengals’ QBs did their jobs in preseason Week 1, but they still found themselves on the losing side of a 17-14 contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They’ll face Caleb Williams and the Bears, who looked like the team many envisioned when they signed a host of new talent during the offseason. Cincy knows that it needs to keep Joe Burrow healthy and that it likely won’t play him or their other important players many snaps, and we like what the Bears showed.

• Bengals vs. Bears pick: Bears -3 (+100) at BetMGM

Lions vs. Chiefs - Saturday, August 17 @ 4:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Lions +3.5 (-105), Chiefs +3.5 (-115)

Money Line: Lions (+165), Chiefs (-200)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-115/-105)

A rematch of opening night a year ago, the Lions looked terrible in their first game, though we still have a soft spot for second-year pro Hendon Hooker. The Chiefs also didn’t look great, though their quarterback play was solid. We’ll take the Lions since they get the significant number of 3.5 and because Dan Campbell’s intensity should demand an improved performance, even in the preseason.

• Lions vs. Chiefs pick: Lions +3.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Vikings vs. Browns - Saturday, August 17 @ 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Vikings +3 (-115), Browns -3 (-105)

Money Line: Vikings (+135), Browns (-165)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-110/-110)

J.J. McCarthy showed the ups and downs of his game as he helped the Vikings beat the Raiders 24-23, while the defense did a solid job by preseason standards. The Browns did not play terribly but only scored 10 points against the Packers in their 13-point loss, leaving much to be desired by the final score. Cleveland is more established, but McCarthy looked solid, and the Packers had no problem lighting up Cleveland’s defense, which is why we like the underdogs.

• Vikings vs. Browns pick: Vikings +3 (-115) at BetMGM

Commanders vs. Dolphins - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Commanders +1.5 (-115), Dolphins -1.5 (-105)

Money Line: Commanders (+105), Dolphins (-125)

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

Jayden Daniels had the best play of any rookie QB on a sweet 42-yard connection with Dyami Brown, though Washington lost to the New York Jets by three points. Meanwhile, the Dolphins beat the Falcons despite getting next to nothing from their QBs by dominating the ground. Washington is still very new and is resting lots of veterans, and their weakness at corner could be an issue against a speedy Miami team.

• Commanders vs. Dolphins pick: Dolphins -1.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Bills vs. Steelers - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Bills +2 (-110), Steelers -2 (-110)

Money Line: Bills (+110), Steelers (-130)

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

Buffalo got demolished by the Bears and only managed 200 yards of total offense in a 33-6 loss. On the other side, Kyle Allen and Justin Fields did their jobs despite the Steelers falling 20-12 to a hungry Texans squad. We like the quarterback depth that Pittsburgh offers in the preseason with both Fields and Allen being established players, so we like them to win and cover in this instance.

• Bills vs. Steelers pick: Steelers -2 (-110) at BetMGM

Seahawks vs. Titans - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Seahawks +2.5 (+100), Titans -2.5 (-120)

Money Line: Seahawks (+135), Titans (-165)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-110/-110)

The Mike MacDonald era of defensive football got off to a bang as the Seahawks limited the Los Angeles Chargers to three points in the first week of preseason football. Will Levis, meanwhile, led the Titans on two touchdown drives as Tennessee, which heavily invested in its roster during the offseason, beat the Niners 17-13. This game should be close, but we’ll side with defense since that’s what wins championships (and, occasionally, preseason games).

• Seahawks vs. Titans pick: Seahawks +2.5 (+100) at BetMGM

Cardinals vs. Colts - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Cardinals +3.5 (-110), Colts -3.5 (-110)

Money Line: Cardinals (+155), Colts (-190)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-115/-105)

The Cardinals have some solid preseason pieces such as Michael Carter and Trey Benson, though they fell to the New Orleans Saints 16-13 last week. The Colts are coming off one of the highest-scoring preseason games in recent memory, a 34-30 offensive explosion during which they played five quarterbacks. We know the Colts can score, and we haven’t seen anything from the Cardinals over the past two seasons to make us believe they can.

• Cardinals vs. Colts pick: Colts -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Jets vs. Panthers - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Jets -3.5 (-110), Panthers +3.5 (-110)

Money Line: Jets (-190), Panthers (+165)

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-110/-110)

The Jets, as they so often have, relied on their defense to get them through a preseason win against a Washington team that outperformed their offense. They face the Panthers, who only scored three points and were ravaged by a Patriots squad that has the best odds to finish with the worst regular-season record in preseason Week 1.

• Jets vs. Panthers pick: Jets -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Rams vs. Chargers - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:05 p.m. ET

Spread: Rams +1 (-110), Chargers -1 (-110)

Money Line: Rams (-105), Chargers (-115)

Total: Over/under 33.5 (-110/-110)

Two things are true: Stetson Bennett threw four interceptions and the game-winning touchdown in a wacky 13-12 win over the Cowboys, who let Trey Lance throw 41 passes. The Chargers, as mentioned earlier, only scored three points as their quarterbacks combined to go 14/32 for 121 yards and an interception, and the ground game mostly disappointed. We’ll take the Chargers here, but our favorite bet is the under.

• Rams vs. Chargers pick: Chargers -1 (-110) at BetMGM

Buccaneers vs. Jaguars - Saturday, August 17 @ 7:05 p.m. ET

Spread: Buccaneers +3 (-110), Jaguars -3 (-110)

Money Line: Buccaneers (+145), Jaguars (-175)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-110/-110)

The Bucs found success both through the air and on the ground and played solid run defense in their 17-14 win against the Bengals last week. On the other side, the Jags were an efficient 19/29 for 246 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 102 yards on 25 carries. Both teams played some of the best offense of the preseason, but we’ll take the Jags since they have more reputable backup QBs (namely Mac Jones).

• Buccaneers vs. Jaguars pick: Jaguars -3 (-110) at BetMGM

Cowboys vs. Raiders - Saturday, August 17 @ 10:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Cowboys +7 (-110), Raiders -7 (-110)

Money Line: Cowboys (+250), Raiders (-300)

Total: Over/under 39.5 (-105/-115)

The seven-point line is tied for the largest of the week, and it comes right after the Cowboys lost that strange game against the Rams during which they forced four turnovers but struggled to move the ball. Vegas has a strong identity under coach Antonio Pierce and has a great backup QB in Gardner Minshew, though they are far from the most talented team in the league. We’ll take the Cowboys simply because of the size of the spread.

• Cowboys vs. Raiders pick: Cowboys +7 (-110) at BetMGM

Packers vs. Broncos - Sunday, August 18 @ 8:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Packers +7 (-110), Broncos -7 (-110)

Money Line: Packers (+260), Broncos (-350)

Total: Over/under 39.5 (-110/-110)

The Packers lit up the Cleveland sky in their opening victory, highlighted by a 65-yard bomb from Jordan Love to Dontayvion Wicks. The Broncos scored a league-high 34 points as Bo Nix and Zach Wilson both played great games, though the defense looked incapable of stopping anyone or anything. We’ll take the Packers, again, because of the size of the line and because of how bad Denver’s defense looked.

• Packers vs. Broncos pick: Packers +7 (-110) at BetMGM

Saints vs. 49ers - Sunday, August 18 @ 8:00 p.m. ET

Spread: Saints -2.5 (-120), 49ers +2.5 (+100)

Money Line: Saints (-155), 49ers (+130)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-110/-110)

The Saints looked predictably average against the terrible Cardinals as Spencer Rattler led a late game-winning drive in their 16-14 opening win. One of the feel-good stories of last year, Josh Dobbs went 14/20 but threw an interception as the Niners struggled to run the ball and fell to the Titans. New Orleans showed more even in their loss than San Fran did, and they’re our pick to cover the spread in the final matchup of NFL preseason Week 2.

• Saints vs. 49ers pick: Saints -2.5 (-120) at BetMGM