2023 NFL Preseason Week 2 Spreads, Moneylines and Totals
They say, "Hope springs eternal” each March at Major League Baseball spring training. The same can be said for preseason football. A great example comes from Week 1 NFL preseason openers. The Green Bay Packers rolled past the Cincinnati Bengals 36-19 to begin life outside Mr. Rodgers's (Aaron) Neighborhood. New starting QB Jordan Love looked razor-sharp, going 7-10 for 46 yards and a TD. Just as impressive was Emanuel Wilson, with six rushes good for 111 yards and two TDs with a long of 80 yards. Ignoring the fact that Joe Burrow was out of the Cincinnati lineup, it was the type of performance that gave Packer Backers hope for 2023.
Week 2 of the NFL Preseason offers plenty of similar opportunities for optimism. But also despair. At least temporarily.
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NFL Preseason Week 2 Betting Lines
The late great John Madden preached that the most important preseason game is the next to last one. And nearly all NFL coaches support the Madden theory. Starters and key performers usually get their highest playing time in the next to last preseason game. The final week of the preseason has become a farce as a virtual final tryout game for marginal players.
Texans Win, but Stroud Doesn’t Figure
The Houston Texans beat the New England Patriots 20-9 last week in the debut of rookie QB CJ Stroud. Stroud was 2-4 for 13 yards with one interception and a sack with a loss of 15 yards. Instead, Davis Mills (9-12, 99 yards, 1 TD) and Case Keenum (9-14, 79 yards, 1 TD) starred at QB for the Texans.
Raiders Roll Niners
Although San Francisco 49ers fans took over Allegiant Stadium in a classic Las Vegas weekend getaway, the Raiders hit the jackpot with a resounding 34-7 win. Aiden O’Connell was 15-18 for 141 yards and a TD to spark the Raiders. Trey Lance got plenty of work time for the 49ers going 10-15 for 112 yards and a TD. However, Lance was sacked four times for 18 yards.
Saints Beat the World Champions…Sort Of
It may have been preseason, but the New Orleans Saints drew attention in a 26-24 win over the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Derek Carr had an impressive debut for the Saints, going 6-8 for 70 yards and a TD. Patrick Mahomes was a quiet 2-2 for 15 yards in limited action for the Chiefs. Jake Haener threw a 2-yard TD pass to Ellis Merriweather with 1:20 to play to cut the KC lead to 24-23 after the 2-point conversion failed. But Balke Grupe kicked a game-winning 31-yard field goal at the gun to win it for the Saints.
Richardson Gets Rude Welcome To NFL
Rookie QB Anthony Richardson saw plenty of action in his NFL debut for the Colts in a 23-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Richardson was 7-012 for 67 yards with an interception. By contrast, Matt Barkley was 14-15 for 172 yards and two TDs for Buffalo.
Bryce Young and Panthers Shutout By Jets
Aaron Rodgers rocked the sideline for the New York Jets and was hardly missed in a 27-0 win for the Spearmint Gang over the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young, the number one overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, made his Carolina debut. Young was 4-6 for 21 yards and was sacked once for nine yards. Zach Wilson was impressive for New York, going 14-20 for 123 yards and a TD.
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