NFL Gridiron Greats: Preseason Tips

The NFL preseason can be difficult to navigate for sports bettors. Last week we looked at the QB depth charts for all 32 teams and this week, we’ll review the updated career preseason records of NFL coaches and some potential mismatches to exploit on the schedule.

NFL Preseason Schedule 8/15-8/18

Thursday, August 15th:

Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots: These two teams have been battling all week in scrimmages at Foxboro. That is where the real action is taking place. Game time will likely see more backups on Thursday night and the Patriots should have the edge with a quarterback room that is four-deep and includes the ultra-athletic Joe Milton II and Bailey Zappe, who has NFL experience.

Saturday, August 17th:

Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens: Ravens head coach Jon Harbaugh has one of the best preseason records of all time but lost his first game this year. Falcons’ head coach Raheem Morris is just 5-7 all-time in the preseason. Could we see more of Jackson this week for Baltimore? Could change the Ravens’ outlook.

Cincinnati at Chicago: The Bears seem to be trying to establish a culture with their roster behind #1 overall pick Caleb Williams. They have won each of their first two games and are coming off a 33-point effort in Buffalo. Did I mention that Bengals’ coach Zac Taylor is now just 3-10 lifetime in the preseason?

New York Giants at Houston: This week seems like a good time for Giants’ incumbent starter Daniel Jones to get more reps at quarterback. The Texans are a preseason threat with a QB room full of experience.

Detroit Lions at KC Chiefs: Lions head coach Dan Campbell seems to save his motivational skills for the regular season as evidenced by his 3-7 lifetime preseason record. Both teams were super conservative in week one with each averaging less than five yards per pass completion. This could be a week for fireworks for both teams as they likely go down the field more.

Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns: Things got a bit more interesting in Minnesota this week after the injury to rookie QB JJ McCarthy’s knee was discovered. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell picked up his first-ever preseason win last week but he will likely be more protective of his starters this week with QB Sam Darnold as his only viable starting quarterback left. On the other side of the field, DeShaun Watson has been cleared for contact and could see some time in this one.

Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans: Two rookie coaches go head to head in this matchup. Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald got his first win out of the way last week while Brian Callahan is still looking for his first NFL win of any kind. The Titans will likely feature more of their first team in this game.

Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts: The Colts eased starting QB Richardson back into the fray in the first preseason game and he will likely get more time this week. The Cardinals have already announced that starting QB Murray will not play in the preseason.

Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are predicated on their dominant skill position players but their appearances will be limited in the preseason. The Commanders showcased the talents of first-round pick Jayden Daniels under center in week one and he’ll likely get more time to shine this week.

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers: Hard not to give the edge to the Steelers based on the fact that the team has a full-fledged QB controversy with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields battling for the top spot and head coach Mike Tomlin’s sparkling 40-25 career record in the preseason.

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers sat QB Young in the first preseason game against New England and the offense was atrocious. The Jets sat Rodgers and will likely do so again this week. With their win last week, Saleh is now 7-2 in the preseason as the Jets head coach.

Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers: This will be a battle of the two inhabitants of SoFI Stadium. The Rams dramatically won their opener while the Chargers fell in Jim Harbaugh’s debut as head coach. Harbaugh has historically been solid in preseason games while McVay has not put much stock in preseason wins and losses. This could be a spot where Harbaugh motivates his team in the battle for city bragging rights.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags actually have a fairly solid, and motivated quarterback room as backups Mac Jones and CJ Beathard battle it out to earn the top spot behind incumbent starter Trevor Lawrence. Both have starting experience and both were sharp in the opener. The Bucs won their first preseason game but don’t have nearly the experience at quarterback after starter Mayfield.

Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders: The Cowboys are still a team in turmoil without star wideout CeeDee Lamb in the fold. The Raiders have a QB battle going on with Aiden O’Connell and Gardner Minshew so they have reason to perform this preseason.

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos: Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur has not been particularly motivated to win in the preseason in his career with just a 5-9 record. He also knows the importance of keeping his #1 quarterback healthy after having Aaron Rodgers and now Jordan Love in the top spot. Love was impressive in his brief appearance last week and should see a few more series but no more in week 2. The Broncos have not committed to a #1 quarterback yet and rookie QB Bo Nix along with Jarred Stidham and Zach Wilson sure give them an experience QB depth chart. Don’t be surprised if head coach Sean Payton keeps his foot on the gas pedal this preseason as he sorts out his QB situation.

New Orleans Saints at SF 49ers: The Niners have one priority and one priority only this preseason: stay healthy! They bring back an experienced group that has logged a lot of football time in the last few seasons in search of a ring. They’ll be conservative with their starters this preseason. The Saints, however, were a disappointment last year, particularly on the offensive end. Don’t be surprised to see more of Derek Carr at quarterback this week, not less.

NFL Coaches Preseason Records (Records from 2007 until Present) *Updated thru Week 1 of NFL Preseason

Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon 2-2

Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris 5-8

Baltimore Ravens: Jim Harbaugh 44-15

Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott: 14-8

Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales: 0-1*

Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus: 6-2

Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor: 3-10

Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski: 5-5

Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy 30-31; 3-8 w/Dallas

Denver Broncos: Sean Payton: 31-33

Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell 3-7

Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur 6-8

Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans 3-2

Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen 2-3

Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson 12-12

Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid 46-48

LA Chargers: Jim Harbaugh 10-7

LA Rams: Sean McVay 8-14

Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce 0-1*

Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel 4-3

Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O’Connell 1-6

New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo 1-0*

New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen 8-11

NY Giants: Brian Daboll 4-3

NY Jets: Robert Saleh 8-2

Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni 2-6

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin 40-25

Seattle Seahawks: Mike MacDonald 1-0*

SF 49ers: Kyle Shanahan 11-11

Tampa Bay Bucs: Todd Bowles 10-13

Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan 1-0*

Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn 6-16

*First Year head coaches

By Mark Ruelle