Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 8/17/19
Saturday's Tip Sheet
Kevin Rogers
Note: Quarterback rotation subject to change.
Browns at Colts (-3, 43) - 4:00 PM EST
Cleveland
Head Coach: Freddie Kitchens (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Baker Mayfield, Drew Stanton, Garrett Gilbert, David Blough (Rookie)
The Browns dominated the Redskins, 30-10 in their preseason opener to easily cash as 1 ½-point favorites. Baker Mayfield connected on an early touchdown strike to Rashard Higgins, while Cleveland scored a pair of touchdowns on an interception return and a punt return. Cleveland's defense intercepted Washington three times as the Browns improved to 8-1 ATS in the last nine preseason contests since 2017. The Browns have won four consecutive road preseason games, while Cleveland has hit the UNDER in its last four Week 2 exhibition affairs.
Indianapolis
Head Coach: Frank Reich (3-2 SU, 3-1-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Walker, Chad Kelly
The Colts fell behind the Bills, 14-0 early and couldn't get over the hump in a 24-16 setback at Buffalo as 1 ½-point favorites. Andrew Luck remains sidelined for the Colts with an ankle injury that could keep him out of the regular season opener. Former Ole Miss standout Chad Kelly threw for 121 yards and rushed for a score in the loss for Indianapolis, as the Colts had their four-game ATS hot streak snapped. Indianapolis has dropped five straight exhibition games in Week 2, which includes three losses by one point apiece.
Patriots (-1, 41 ½) at Titans - 7:00 PM EST
New England
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (43-44 SU, 48-43-7 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham (Rookie)
The Patriots didn't mess around in their preseason opener at Detroit by blowing out the Lions, 31-3 as 2 ½-point underdogs. Tom Brady sat out for the Patriots, but the combination of Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, as New England jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead. New England owns a 4-1 SU/ATS record in its last five preseason games, while the Patriots face the Titans in exhibition play for the first time since losing to Tennessee, 27-24 in 2007.
Tennessee
Head Coach: Mike Vrabel (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside
Following an 0-4 preseason run in Mike Vrabel's first season as head coach, the Titans broke through in this season's exhibition opener by routing the Eagles, 27-10 as 1 ½-point road underdogs. Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 24 yards in his limited action, while offseason acquistion Ryan Tannehill was sharp by tossing two touchdowns and racking up 130 yards through the air. Former Toledo standout Logan Woodside also posted a pair of touchdown passes, as the Titans didn't allow a point after halftime. Tennessee didn't score more than 17 points in any of its four preseason games in 2018, while the Titans own a 2-7 ATS record in their last nine exhibition contests.
Chiefs (-2 ½, 46 ½) at Steelers - 7:30 PM EST
Kansas City
Head Coach: Andy Reid (39-42 SU, 37-40-4 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Chase Litton, Kyle Shurmur
After allowing an early touchdown last week, the Chiefs ran off 24 straight points on their way to a 38-17 home blowout of the Bengals. Kansas City easily cashed as 3 ½-point favorites, as last season's MVP Patrick Mahomes was sharp in his limited time by completing all four passes for 66 yards. Former Marshall signal-caller Chase Litton threw two touchdown passes, while three different Chiefs hauled in touchdown grabs. Kansas City seeks consecutive preseason victories for the first time since 2016, while the Chiefs have won each of their last two Week 2 exhibition contests, each by double-digits.
Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (29-22 SU, 23-26-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Mason Rudolph, Joshua Dobbs, Devlin Hodges
The Steelers held off the Buccaneers, 30-28 at Heinz Field as Pittsburgh built a comfortable 30-16 lead before Tampa Bay scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes. Mason Rudolph threw a pair of touchdown passes in the win as the former Oklahoma State standout will start once again for the resting Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have now eclipsed the 30-point mark in four of their last five preseason contests, while Pittsburgh has won four of its last exhibition games at Heinz Field.
Lions at Texans (-4 ½, 42) - 8:00 PM EST
Detroit
Head Coach: Matt Patricia (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matthew Stafford, Tom Savage, David Fales
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Dave Birkett
It was an ugly debut for the Lions, who were routed by the Patriots at Ford Field, 31-3 as New England outgained Detroit by 366 yards. Matthew Stafford didn't suit up in the loss to New England, but the veteran Lions' quarterback is expected to see action early on Saturday. Detroit's offense hasn't produced many points under Matt Patricia in the preseason by scoring fewer than 17 points in four of five exhibition affairs. The Lions have never faced the Texans in the preseason, while taking on their first AFC South team in exhibition play for the first time since beating Indianapolis in the 2017 opener, 24-10.
Houston
Head Coach: Bill O'Brien (12-8 SU, 11-8-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Deshaun Watson, AJ McCarron, Joe Webb
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Aaron Wilson
The Texans fell behind the Packers at Lambeau Field, 28-10 before scoring 16 late points in a 28-26 defeat to Green Bay. Joe Webb played the entire game at quarterback for Houston as the journeyman threw for 286 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. It is unknown if Deshaun Watson will see his first preseason action for the Texans, but it definitely won't be for long. Houston has won six of its last seven preseason games at NRG Stadium since 2015, including a perfect 5-0 mark against NFC foes.
Cowboys (-2 ½, 40) vs. Rams - 10:00 PM EST - In Honolulu
Dallas
Head Coach: Jason Garrett (12-22 SU, 10-21-3 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Mike White
The Cowboys and Rams head to Hawaii as the two playoff teams from last season combined for 12 points in their first preseason action last week. Dallas led San Francisco, 9-7 at halftime before the 49ers scored the final 10 points in a 17-9 home victory to cash as 3 ½-point favorites. Dak Prescott completed all four of his pass attempts, while Ezekiel Elliott remains out due to his contract dispute with the organization. The Cowboys are looking to snap a five-game preseason skid as Dallas last won an exhibition contest in the 2017 finale against Oakland.
L.A. Rams
Head Coach: Sean McVay (4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Blake Bortles, Brandon Allen, John Wolford
The NFC champion Rams are patiently waiting for the regular season to begin as Los Angeles will sit stars Jared Goff and Todd Gurley once again this week. L.A. didn't put much effort into last week's 14-3 setback at Oakland as the Rams mustered less than 200 yards of offense. Former Jaguars' quarterback Blake Bortles will be making his second straight start after throwing for 50 yards in his Rams' debut last week. The Rams have lost four of their last six exhibition games, while scoring 10, 7, 0, and 3 points in their past four preseason contests outside of Los Angeles.