NFL Preseason Week 4 Betting Odds and Storylines
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NFL preseason Week 4 is here, which means slightly less entertaining football than Week 3. It also means we’re just 10 days away from the regular season kicking off. Speaking of, check out NFL Week 1 lines, totals and picks as we break down all 16 games for Week 1.
In the meantime, the final week of the preseason will have to suffice. You can still find some edges in this week’s preseason games if you know where to look.
As Chris Gimino points in his Introduction to NFL Preseason DFS and Strategy, don’t expect anything from starters:
Week 4: No starters at all. Teams almost exclusively use this week to put the deepest portions of their roster on film, and get extended looks at players before making final decisions.
That means we’ll want to find the teams with the best reserves. More specifically, teams with QB depth.
NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting odds
Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Redskins +3.5, O/U 33.5
You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it twice, you’ve heard it three times…Jim Harbaugh and the Ravens don’t lose in the preseason. Lamar Jackson didn’t play last week and Baltimore got out to an early 26-0 first-half lead against the Eagles as Trace McSorley threw for two touchdowns and added one with his feet.
Case Keenum was recently announced as the Redskins’ starter, while Dwayne Haskins continues to struggle. Expect a lot of Haskins Thursday night. Hop on the Ravens moneyline early before it moves too much. The Ravens ML is -210 at FanDuel but as high as -245 at DraftKings.
Early Lean: Ravens Moneyline -210 (use our FanDuel Sportsbook promo code to get these odds).
Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5, O/U 33
The Falcons and Jaguars are both winless this preseason, and neither team seems to be too concerned. Both head coaches, Dan Quinn and Doug Marrone, have opted to take a conservative approach to the exhibition games.
The Jaguars have only scored 17 points in their three games. With a group of young quarterbacks fighting for a roster spot, and rookie Gardner Minshew seemingly having the backup job locked up, don’t expect them to start scoring now.
Early Lean: Under 33
Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals -4, O/U 34
The Colts were the biggest story of the weekend after Andrew Luck abruptly announced his retirement from the NFL and stunning the league and its fans. Jacoby Brisset steps up as the starting quarterback, and Chad Kelly likely gets promoted to No. 2 on the depth chart.
Kelly completed 16-of-21 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. Phillip Walker didn’t impress, completing less than half of his passes and adding an interception. The Colts will use at least the first half to give Kelly more reps as he prepares for his new role.
Early Lean: Colts 1H Spread
Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills +2.5, O/U 33
Bills backup Matt Barkley has played well through three preseason games, completing 76% of his throws for 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Minnesota’s Kyle Sloter hasn’t looked bad either, completing 23-of-27 passes for 3 touchdowns and 0 picks.
Mike Zimmer is notorious for taking the preseason more seriously than most coaches, but the Bills have key roster battles at running back and wide receiver. I prefer to wait on this one until more news comes out, but my early lean is Buffalo.
Early Lean: Buffalo +2.5
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Jets -3, O/U 32.5
Josh McCown plays his second preseason game as he prepares to be Carson Wentz ‘s backup. Luke Falk and Trevor Siemian have played decent for the Jets. I think the Jets will take this one a bit more seriously, giving them the edge as McCown tries to adjust to the Eagles’ playbook.
Early Lean: Jets -3 (use our PointsBet promo code to get these odds)
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots -3.5, O/U 35
Both the Giants’ and the Patriots’ rookie quarterbacks have played exceptional this preseason. In fact, Daniel Jones has played well enough for PointsBet to post a prop bet on who will start more games between Eli Manning -220 and Jones +170 (use our PointsBet promo code to get these odds).
I’d still side with Eli there, but the question at hand is who to side with between Jones and Stidham Thursday? I don’t have much faith in Giants’ third and fourth stringers, so I’m cutting this game in half.
Early Lean: Giants 1H Spread
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers -1.5, O/U 35.5
By the end of Thursday night, odds are Aaron Rodgers will be one of four starting quarterbacks to sit out the entire preseason. Kansas City and Green Bay play each other in the regular season, so don’t expect either team to show much of their offense.
Early Lean: Under 35.5
Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears -3, O/U 33
The Chicago Bears have taken the preseason less seriously, at least in terms of starting playing time, than any other team. Ryan Tannehill is Tennessee’s backup, which makes the Titans worth considering.
Early Lean: Titans +3
That’s it for our early leans. Here’s a look at the rest of the NFL preseason Week 3 betting odds: