Isn't it great to have football back in our lives? The Browns came from behind to take down the Jets in the first NFL game on TV since February of this year. Dorian Thompson-Robinson made quite the impression with both his arm and his running ability.
Now that the Hall of Fame Game is behind us, it's time to zero in on next week's NFL Preseason card. Here are 2 best bets for Thursday, August 10. Good luck!
Best Bet: Patriots +2 over Texans
The Texans made a bunch of changes over the offseason that impacted both the roster and the coaching staff. Change was much needed after a 3-13-1 season last year. Former player and former 49ers defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, was brought in to take over the head coaching job.
Devin Singletary, Robert Woods, and Dalton Shultz highlighted the free agency signings and CJ Stroud was drafted as the future of the franchise at QB. That said, it is likely that Case Keenum will see most of the time under center during this preseason opener.
The veteran will provide a stable presence for the offense, but he will have a lesser line and weapons to work with than he has had when he was starting.
The Pats do not have a new coach…yet. It remains to be seen just how long Bill Belichick can take the consistent mediocrity this late in his coaching career. Bill O’Brien was brought in to take over the offensive coordinator position and that makes no one happier than Mac Jones.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki were free agency additions that should also help Mac and the offense. Unlike the Texans, the Pats will have dual threat QBs with limited experience running the show in this game. Trace McSorley and Malik Cunningham are in line to play the majority of the game and can be dangerous with their legs as much as their arms.
We are relying on the multi-threat QBs in this matchup. Not only do we believe they are the most talented players, but they also have the most to prove. Case Keenum is established and set in his role, where McSorley and Cunningham are fighting for their roster spots.
Best Bet: Seahawks -2.5 over Vikings
Out with the old and in with the new explains the Vikings offseason. Mainstays Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, and Patrick Peterson are all gone. Jordan Addison was drafted to give Kirk Cousins another receiver to compliment Justin Jefferson.
Backup QB, Nick Mullens, who made a name for himself in San Fran when he stepped in at times for the often-injured Jimmy G, will potentially play limited snaps in this one. Jaren Hall, rookie out of BYU, is lined up to take most of the snaps in this one. He will have a plethora of rookie pass catchers to toss it too.
The Seahawks shocked many when they shipped Russell Wilson to Denver and had Geno Smith not only take over but look like an upgrade by the end of the season. Head coach Pete Carroll drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the receiving corps and Zach Charbonnet will be able to give Kenneth Walker III a rest at times in the backfield.
Drew Lock is still the backup and may get some time in this one but rookie Holton Ahlers out of East Carolina will get most of the snaps. Much like Ahlers, the defense is filled with young guys and rookies that will be trying to make the most of their opportunities.
With both teams likely being run by lesser QBs in this one, we are going to side with the team that will have the hungrier defense. That seems to be the Seahawks in this one. The majority of the secondary will be rookies that'll be looking to shut down every air attack and stepping up to fill gaps left by any linebackers.
