It’s the preseason, which means nothing is a given and all we can do is speculate roughly when QBs will be in the game.
I try to estimate when certain QBs/units will be in the game to plan my pre/in-game betting strategy. Everything is subject to change and I update these charts as we get more information.
Jaguars vs. Lions
Both teams are resting their starters, which should make this a fairly even matchup in the first half.
Teddy Bridgewater will be getting the start for the Lions and should play most of the first quarter. He was signed a couple of weeks ago but should have had enough time to be familiar with the playbook and get some reps in with the Detroit pass-catchers. Chase Cota will be a WR to watch, as he has been playing well and could be Bridgewater's top target.
The Jags will likely have C.J. Beathard play the first half before letting Week 1 star Nathan Rourke get the second.
I’m taking the Lions +0.5 for the first half because I think the matchup is fairly even, and there’s about a 10% it’s tied at halftime, which means getting the half point here is key. The second half of Rourke vs. Martinez is when the Jaguars will have the edge.
Pick: Lions 1H +1 (Caesars)
Dolphins vs. Texans
There hasn't been any official word on whether Miami will play its starters today. If not, I expect Mike White to be under center for the first half with Skylar Thompson getting the second.
The Texans will likely have a similar approach this week with C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills and Case Keenum all playing 1-1 1/2 quarters.
All of the QBs in this game are fringe NFL starters, and we won’t have a true “scrub” under center in this one. There’s even a chance we get Tua Tagovailoa or Tyreek Hill for a drive here, which would be icing on the cake.
Both WR rooms are fairly deep and we will have starting-caliber WRs on the field for most of the game. Plus, the Texans used a fairly pass-heavy approach last week, which should only help the over.
I view this matchup as being a bit higher-scoring than others, so I'm going to take the over at 38.
Pick: Over 38 (BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings)
