Week 2 of the NFL Preseason is in the books. As training camps wind down and teams begin to take their regular season form, it’s a good time to check in on movement in the futures markets.
The Bills and Buccaneers are still the top 2 favorites to win the Super Bowl and the odds on favorite to win their respective conferences.
The Bills training camp has been relatively quiet; besides a few minor injuries and a couple inter-squad fights. Buffalo’s starters have only played 1 drive in their two preseason games. But they already looked in midseason form. Allen’s chemistry with Diggs looks as strong as ever. In their 3rd season together, oddsmakers are expecting them to lead their team in a big leap forward in 2022. The Bills have no movement in their odds to win the Super Bowl as they remain at +600.
The top NFC contender, Buccaneers (+750 to win the , have had quite the opposite preseason. Tampa’s had a notable absence from their training camp in the past couple weeks. The 45 year old QB was excused from Training Camp on Aug 11 for personal reasons. There’s little doubt Brady will be ready and competing at a high level come the regular season. But, uncertainty and distractions have crept into the Bucs training camp. Head Coach Todd Bowles said he expects Brady back “early this week.” On the injury front, Tampa received disappointing news on potential starting Guard, Aaron Stinnie, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Despite a couple injures and the Brady absence, the Bucs Super Bowl odds have remained at +750.
After the Bills and Bucs, there are plenty of great value selections. Let’s jump into the biggest line movers after preseason week 2 and get into our best NFL picks and predictions today.
Biggest NFC Winner: LA Rams
During training camp and preseason, it’s hard for a team to make enough noise to actually shorten their future odds. The Rams opened tied for 2nd, with Green Bay, in the NFC Championship odds table at +500. By all accounts, the new pieces LA brought in this season seem to be clicking early on. Most of the Rams starters have yet to play through 2 weeks of the preseason. However, reports out of Irvine indicate that Allen Robinson is stepping in nicely into Odell Beckham Jr.’s vacant role. Robinson has made an impact everywhere he’s gone so far in his career, and seems to be starting on the right track with his new QB Matthew Stafford.
By staying healthy and giving time for their new weapons to develop, The Rams have jumped ahead of the Packers and now sit at +450 to win the NFC.
Biggest AFC Winner: LA Chargers
We’re staying in LA to break down the Chargers preseason and their jump from +850 to now +750 to win the AFC. The Chargers have also been quiet on the injury front, a good sign for a young team in a win now mode. Though we have yet to see him in preseason action, Khalil Mack is making his presence known in training camp. It’s reported that he is wreaking havoc against the young offensive line. The O Line group has a lot to prove in 2022 and going up against a star like Mack everyday in practice can only help the unit prepare for the AFC West gauntlet.
Biggest NFC Loser: Cardinals
The Cardinals preseason and . It’s not often you sign your franchise quarterback to a $230 Million contract and your odds drop 200 points. The Cardinals odds opened at +1200 to win the NFC, but have dropped to +1400 as training camp unfolds. We have yet to see Murray on the field in preseason. Instead, you’ll find him on the sidelines with a headset and clipboard, calling plays in the 4th quarter. Much was made this preseason about the lack of development and willingness to learn that Murray has shown in his young career. The now infamous “study clause” in Murray’s new contract has caused fans and bettors to wonder if the Cardinals trust him to put in the work required to take a big lead in 2022. Without that leap, the Cardinals will be a middle of the road NFC team at best.
Biggest AFC Loser: Browns
The Browns have not been strangers to controversy and distractions in recent history, and this preseason is no different. The Deshaun Watson suspension uncertainty has been well documented, and finally came to a conclusion last week. After initially receiving a recommendation of a 6 game suspension, the NFL appealed the sentence and an additional 5 games were tacked on. While Watson serves his 11 game sentence, Jacoby Brissett will take the reins. Brissett has started 37 games in the NFL, and will be backed up by a combination of Joshua Dobbs and Josh Rosen. With Watson sidelined until week 13, the Browns odds to win the AFC have plummeted from +1100 to +1600.