NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds, Picks, and Predictions

NFL Preseason Week 2 Predictions - Recommended Bets

• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars: Steelers +3.5, -105 @ PointsBet 
• Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks: Bears +3.5, -110 @ Fanduel 
• Baltimore Ravens @ Arizona Cardinals: OVER 40.5, -110 @ Fanduel

NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds - Steelers, Seahawks, and Ravens Top List of Favorites

Fresh off an impressive two-touchdown performance in a 32-25 win over Seattle, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is expected to continue his preseason audition as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars as underdogs, according to the Week 2 NFL preseason odds. 

Despite failing to lead Seattle to victory in Pittsburgh, Drew Lock looks to pull ahead of veteran Geno Smith in the competition for the Seahawks’ starting quarterback spot at home against the Chicago Bears. At the same time, the Baltimore Ravens aim to extend an epic preseason win streak in a Sunday night road date with the Arizona Cardinals.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Saturday, August 20 at 7 pm ET

The great challenge facing the Steelers entering the 2022 season is how to fill the void left by the retirement of longtime franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger. While rookie Kenny Pickett was expected to start the 2022 campaign as a clipboard-holding third-stringer, his performance in Week 1’s victory in Seattle has presented Steelers brass with a possible quarterback controversy. 

Drafted 20th overall by Pittsburgh in the 2022 NFL draft, the former University of Pittsburgh star shone in his first appearance in black and gold. Pickett played the entire second half in Seattle and tossed a pair of touchdown passes, including the game-winner in the game’s dying seconds. The odds are that he gets another long look in Week 2. Pickett leads a Steelers squad that has impressed in August, with outright wins in 14 of their last 19 preseason outings. 

The Jaguars, who are 3.5-point home favorites in the NFL preseason Week 2 odds, are coming from last week’s 24-13 home loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Jags’ eighth defeat in nine preseason contests. The addition to the lineups of regulars like Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr., and wide receiver Zay Jones did nothing to spark a Jacksonville attack that produced just 10 points over four drives into the Cleveland red zone, three of which ended in turnovers. In particular, the Jags’ ground game has sputtered, generating just 68 yards per game in two August outings against the Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Given the Jaguars’ offensive issues and the positive momentum around Pickett and the talented Steelers’ attack, there’s value in taking the Steelers and more than a field goal. 

NFL Preseason Week 2 Prediction:

• Steelers +3.5, -105 @ PointsBet

Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks

Thursday, August 18 at 8 pm ET on ESPN 

Like the Steelers, the Seahawks are facing the reality of life without a star quarterback in the wake of the offseason departure of Russell Wilson. However, the encouraging play of third-year man Drew Lock in the preseason opener has given Seahawks fans a reason to hope. 

Oft-maligned during his two seasons in Denver, Lock looks to be earning himself a new lease on NFL life in his Seahawks. In his debut with the team last week, a heartbreaking loss to Pittsburgh, Lock impressed, throwing for two scores, despite the absences of star receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. It’s worth mentioning that the duo’s status for Thursday remains uncertain. Equally concerning was the Seahawks’ defense’s struggles in containing a Pittsburgh offense comprised primarily of depth players and youngsters. 

Conversely, the Bears defense turned in an impressive performance in last week’s 19-14 home win over Kansas City, limiting the Chiefs to just 18 total yards after halftime - granted, the Chiefs team that took the field after recess bears no resemblance to the reigning six-time AFC West champions. That being said, the Bears should be encouraged with what they saw and can feel confident about another strong showing on defense on Thursday. As a result, with more than a field goal, the Bears jump out among the NFL preseason Week 2 odds as an enticing play.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Prediction:

• Bears +3.5, -110 @ Fanduel

Baltimore Ravens @ Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, August 21 at 8 pm ET on FOX 

The most intriguing trend among NFL preseason Week 2 predictions is the Ravens’ epic August streak. In addition to winning 21 outright straight, the Ravens have covered in 10 straight August contests. They extended their run in Week 1 of the preseason with a 23-10 rout of the Tennessee Titans as 3-point favorites. Given all of that, it’s no surprise that the Ravens are pretty heavy favorites (-6.5, -105 with PointsBet) in the Week 2 preseason odds.

While preseason games tend to be low-scoring, the Ravens have scored an average of 25.7 points in their past 12 August games and have won their last five preseason road games by an average of 18 points. Unsurprisingly, they’ve steadily climbed to 6.5-point favorites in the NFL preseason Week 2 odds.

Despite that recent dominance, the Ravens could have their hands full against the Cardinals, who dismantled the Cincinnati Bengals 36-23 in preseason Week 1 action. That win is all the more impressive because the Cards hit the gridiron with virtually no regulars in the lineup. Cardinals backers should expect stiffer competition this time, as the squad looks to tally consecutive preseason wins for the first time since 2018. The safest prediction for this NFL preseason Week 2 matchup is that it will be a high-scoring affair. 

NFL Preseason Week 2 Prediction:

• OVER 40.5, -110 @ Fanduel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I watch NFL preseason games?

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Tennessee Titans: Saturday, August 20 at 7 pm ET on NFL Network 
• Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers: Saturday, August 20 at 10 pm ET on NFL Network
• Philadelphia Eagles @ Cleveland Browns: Sunday, August 21 at 1 pm ET on NFL Network
• Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants: Sunday, August 21 at 7 pm ET on NFL Network
• Baltimore Ravens @ Arizona Cardinals: Sunday, August 21 at 8 pm ET on FOX 
• Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets: Monday, August 22 at 8 pm ET on ESPN

Week 3’s match-ups that are on TV are:

• Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs: Thursday, August 25 at 8 pm ET on NFL Network
• San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans: Thursday, August 25 at 8:15 pm ET on Prime Video
• Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys: Friday, August 26 at 8 pm ET on NFL Network
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons: Saturday, August 27 at 3 pm ET on NFL Network
• Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals: Saturday, August 27 at 6 pm ET on NFL Network
• Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos: Saturday, August 27 at 9 pm ET on NFL Network
• New York Giants @ New York Jets: Sunday, August 28 at 1 pm ET on NFL Network
• Detroit Lions @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Sunday, August 28 at 4:30 pm ET on CBS

When does the NFL's preseason end?

The NFL preseason schedule kicked off with the August 4 Hall of Fame game, with three weeks’ worth of full slates to follow. 

Week 1 of the preseason started on Thursday, August 11, with a matchup between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. 

This week we cross the halfway mark of the preseason, which concludes on Sunday, August 28, with the Detroit Lions visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Conclusion

Staying up to date with 32 training camps is a big task, so we'll keep doing the heavy lifting for you. If you're interested in more football content, be sure to read our guide: How To Bet on American Football, and visit our odds comparison tool to compare the latest NFL Week 1 odds.