NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds: Bookmakers, Bettors Notice Rookie QBs

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

11 minute read

NFL preseason Week 2 odds are a little more interesting than Week 1. With the exhibition season only three weeks long, perhaps more starters will be in the mix.

That of course includes rookie QBs who might also be regular-season starters. For example, Caleb Williams or Bo Nix, who are definitely impacting odds for NFL preseason Week 2.

Here’s everything you need to know about NFL preseason Week 2 odds on a few notable matchups: opening lines, spreads and betting trends, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds

Green Bay Packers vs Denver Broncos Odds

• Opening point spread: Broncos -7
• Opening moneyline: Broncos -310/Packers +260
• Opening total: Over/Under 39.5 points scored
• Time: 8 p.m. ET Sunday (NFL Network)

UPDATE 6:15 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Less than two hours before kickoff, Denver is 6.5-point chalk in The Superbook's odds for NFL preseason Week 2. The Broncos opened -7 Monday morning, quickly dipped to -6.5, then returned to -7 and spent all week there.

But this morning, Denver returned to -6.5.

"Sharp play on Packers +7," SuperBook risk supervisor Chase Michaelson said. "Ticket count is similar. It's a small decision, and we'll need the Broncos."

The SuperBook opened this game a few hours later than other books on Monday. At some spots, Denver opened as low as -3.5 before quickly climbing the ladder.

The total opened at 39.5, spent most of the week at 39, then in the past 30 minutes made moves to 38.5/38. Still, Michaelson said the book needs the Under tonight.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: As was the case with several other games, Packers-Broncos saw a lot of early movement in the NFL preseason Week 2 odds market. DraftKings opened Denver -3.5 in the wee hours of Monday morning, and by midmorning, the Broncos were out to -7.

The number hasn't moved off Broncos -7 since, though the juice has fluctuated. Denver is now -7 (-105).

A big reason for the notable line jump is that Broncos starters, including rookie QB Bo Nix, are expected to see extended playing time. Green Bay QB Jordan is not expected to play, with Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt getting the bulk of reps.

All that said, the Packers are drawing 66% of spread tickets and 74% of spread dollars.

The total also shifted quickly this week. After opening at 37.5, it got to 39.5 before lunch hour Monday. DraftKings then spent most of the week at 39, but the number dipped to 38.5 twice this morning.

It's now at 39 again, with 72% of tickets/73% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: After opening -3.5, Denver is out to a 7-point favorite on ESPN Bet's NFL preseason Week 2 odds board. The Packers are drawing 58% of early spread bets, but 96% of early money is on the Broncos.

ESPN Bet opened the total at 37.5 and is up to 39.5. The Over is seeing a modest majority 54% of bets, but those tickets are translating into 81% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Green Bay knows QB Jordan Love is the centerpiece. So Love played just one possession last week in a 23-10 win at Cleveland, with the Packers (1-0 SU and ATS) covering as 4.5-point underdogs.

But Love shined in that short outing, throwing a 65-yard TD pass to Dontayvion Wicks.

Rookie QB Bo Nix got good reviews for Denver in a preseason Week 1 shootout at Indianapolis. The Broncos (1-0 SU and ATS) were 1.5-point underdogs and won 34-30.

Jarrett Stidham started for Denver, but gave way to Nix after two possessions and no scoring. Nix went 15 of 21 for 125 yards and one touchdown pass, leading the Broncos to two TDs and two field goals.

Denver opened as 7-point home chalk vs Green Bay in The SuperBook's NFL preseason Week 1 odds. Nix's effort last week is a key reason why.

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"It's clearly a factor. We got some play on Nix 16/1 for Offensive Rookie of the Year on Sunday," Michaelson said. "There's definitely interest in Nix, who against Indy looked fairly polished by rookie standards."

Still, Michaelson sees a TD spread as a lot during the preseason. Early bettors seemed to think so, as well, with the line briefly dipping to Broncos -6.5, before returning to -7 this afternoon.

"Again, I don't see wiseguys laying more than 7 in a preseason game," Michaelson said. "This line opened as low as 3.5 [at other sportsbooks], and those numbers are long gone. I would imagine eventually it will move back down, with some wiseguys betting Green Bay."

Completed NFL Preseason Week 2 Games

Dallas Cowboys vs Las Vegas Raiders Odds

• Opening point spread: Raiders -7
• Opening moneyline: Raiders -280/Cowboys +240
• Opening total: Over/Under 36.5 points scored
• Time: 10 p.m. ET Saturday (NFL Network)

UPDATE 8:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Less than two hours before kickoff, the Raiders are 7-point favorites on The SuperBook's NFL preseason Week 2 odds board. In just the past few minutes, the line moved from Las Vegas -6.5 to -7.

The line opened at Raiders -4 and quickly got to -7 Monday. It dipped to -6.5 Tuesday and stayed there until this evening.

"Ticket count is pretty even. There's slightly more money on the Cowboys. But it's not a huge decision either way," SuperBook senior risk supervisor Casey Degnon said.

The total opened at 36.5, stretched to 39.5 by Monday evening, and it's now at its peak of 40.5, hitting that mark this morning. But Degnon said there's no real decision on the total.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Notable line moves would seem to be the theme for preseason, which isn't really surprising. Bigger adjustments are much more common for exhibition games, with some teams forgoing starters while others try to get more reps for the first-teamers.

ESPN Bet opened the Raiders -3.5 and moved out to Raiders -6.5. Early splits show a wild disparity, with 68% of spread tickets on Dallas, but practically all the money on Las Vegas.

The total is up to 39.5 from a 36.5 opener, again on rather inordinate splits. The Under is netting 73% of early tickets, but 90% of early cash is on the Over.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Las Vegas (0-1 SU and ATS) has a legit quarterback battle between veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year QB Aidan O'Connell. Last week, O'Connell started vs. Minnesota, leading an 83-yard opening drive for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

However, Minshew played the rest of the first half, leading two touchdown drives. Plus, the Raiders got a field goal after a short drive stemming from their defense blocking a Vikings field-goal attempt.

The two QBs staked Vegas to a 20-7 halftime lead. But the Raiders, who were 3-point road faves, ultimately lost 24-23 on a final-seconds field goal.

Dallas QB Dak Prescott (ankle) sat out preseason Week 1, and even if healthy, he might not play in Weeks 2 or 3. Prescott hasn't played a preseason game since Mike McCarthy took over as coach in 2020.

Trey Lance played most of the game in a 13-12 loss to the L.A. Rams. Dallas (0-1 SU and ATS) closed as a 5.5-point road favorite.

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"I think we're expecting the Raiders to take this game more seriously," Michaelson said. "When there's an actual competition, which I think is kind of rare this close to Week 1, you have to play more of your starters to get a better look at both guys. We expect the Raiders to play their guys."

That's why Las Vegas quickly shot to -7, after opening -4 at The SuperBook.

"I'm sure we'll see more of Trey Lance again. The market cannot quit him," Michaelson said. "This game opened so obnoxiously high that I think Dallas would be the only side I could see the wiseguys playing. It's hard to say, but unless Ken Stabler plays, I can't see this line getting any higher."

The Cowboys-Raiders total also got some early attention.

"We opened 36.5, got as high as 38, and we're down to 37. We had some sharp play on the Under," Michaelson said.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears Odds

• Opening point spread: Bears -7
• Opening moneyline: Bears -260/Bengals +220
• Opening total: Over/Under 37.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Saturday (NFL Network)

UPDATE 12:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Early Monday morning, BetMGM installed Chicago as 3-point chalk. Within a few hours, the Bears were all the way out to -6.5, before settling at -6.

On Thursday, the Bears climbed to -7 briefly, then went to -6.5. Now, 45 minutes before kickoff, Chicago is a 6-point favorite. On BetMGM's digital platform (mobile/online betting), the Bears are taking 57% of spread tickets/71% of spread money.

In fact, Chicago is taking the most money of any team in the NFL preseason Week 2 odds market. However, action is still relatively light.

"There's nothing really notable here, but we're taking more Bears bets. We need the Bengals small," BetMGM trader Christian Cipollini said.

The total moved from 36.5 to 37.5 shortly after opening Monday. But it's now back to 36.5, and Cipollini said BetMGM has no real need on the total.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: This matchup was another early mover in ESPN Bet's odds for NFL preseason Week 2. The Bears opened -3.5 and quickly stretched out to -6.

One reason for the notable adjustment: On Monday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor indicated his starters, including QB Joe Burrow, probably wouldn't play Saturday.

Point-spread ticket count is dead even, while 87% of early spread dollars are on the Bears.

ESPN Bet opened the total at 36.5, and that's where it sits this afternoon. The Over is taking 71% of tickets/75% of money.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams started and led two scoring drives for Chicago (1-0 SU and ATS) in the preseason opener. Granted, both drives yielded only field goals, but those results got the Bears started on their way to a 33-6 road rout of Buffalo as 3-point underdogs.

Williams finished 4 of 7 for 95 yards.

Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow saw his first action since a wrist injury in Week 11 last season. And Burrow made the most of it. He played one possession, going 5 of 7 for 51 yards and a TD. However, the Bengals (0-1 SU and ATS) ultimately lost at Tampa Bay 17-14 laying 5 points.

"People were definitely impressed with Williams [last week]. Any game he's expected to play, it will be reflected in the spread," Michaelson said, alluding to the Bears opening as 7-point favorites. "Cincinnati isn't going to play basically anybody. But there's been a little pushback at 7, which is not surprising.

"Preseason games all get bet up and up and up, and then they get back back down."

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The SuperBook is now down a tick to Bears -6.5 in odds for NFL preseason Week 2. Chicago actually has two games under its belt, but the Hall of Fame Game didn't count at the sportsbooks. The game was called due to weather in the third quarter, with the Bears leading Houston 21-17.

Philadelphia Eagles vs New England Patriots Odds

• Opening point spread: Patriots -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Patriots -145/Eagles +125
• Opening total: Over/Under 37 points scored
• Time: 7 p.m. ET Thursday (NFL Network)

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: With 3.5 hours until kickoff, the Patriots are out to 3.5-point favorites in BetMGM's odds for NFL preseason Week 2. Early Monday morning, this matchup actually opened at Eagles -2.5. But the line sprinted to Patriots -2.5 within a few hours.

Late this morning, New England climbed to -3 and briefly to -3.5. The Pats are now at -3 (-115).

"There was a heavy move on the Patriots earlier in the week. But the price is right now, so there's money on both sides," BetMGM senior trader Tristan Davis said, while noting there's still a need that could get larger by kickoff. "We will need the Eagles. Bettors will see the big move on the Pats and want to be on that side, no matter the price."

Jacoby Brissett will start at QB for New England, but rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton III should see extended time, according to The Action Network's John LanFranca. It's unlikely Eagles QB Jalen Hurts will see the field tonight, and several other starters might sit, as well.

BetMGM opened the total at 34.5 and spent most of the week at 35.5 flat or 35.5 (Under -115), where it sits now.

"There's more action on the Under, which is the sharp side," Davis said.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: ESPN Bet opened at Eagles -2.5 Monday and quickly made its way to Patriots -2.5. The number remains Pats -2.5, despite heavier action on the underdog Eagles, who are landing 68% of tickets and 71% of money on the spread.

The total has also seen notable movement in NFL preseason Week 2 odds. ESPN Bet opened at 33.5 and is up to 36.5, with ticket count almost even, but 69% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: New England (1-0 SU/ATS) sent out four quarterbacks last week in a 17-3 victory over Carolina as 6.5-point home chalk. Jacoby Brissett got the start and played one possession, then on came No. 3 overall draft pick Drake Maye.

But Maye played just one possession, going 2 of 3 for 19 yards. Then fellow rookie Joe Milton stepped in, and he had the Pats' only TD pass while going 4 of 6 for 54 yards. Third-year QB Bailey Zappe got the longest look, completing 12 of 20 passes for 108 yards.

On the flip side, there's no debate at starting QB for Philadelphia (1-0 SU and ATS). Jalen Hurts is the man, though not surprisingly, he didn't play a down in last week's 16-13 victory at Baltimore. The Eagles cashed as 1.5-point favorites.

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Backup Kenny Pickett started and played into the second half, going 14 of 22 for 89 yards and a TD.

Earlier this afternoon, The SuperBook opened New England -2.5 and hasn't moved in its NFL preseason Week 2 odds market.

"It's hard to say if Maye is going to play more. It doesn't seem like the Patriots are interested in playing him that much, but maybe more will come out throughout the week," SuperBook risk supervisor Chase Michaelson said.

Michaelson went on to note the challenge of setting and adjusting odds on this and all preseason matchups.

"It's really all based on when information comes out about who is playing how many starters. Whatever team plays more starters for longer, we'll need the other side," he said.

The Eagles-Patriots total saw a minor adjustment this afternoon.

"We opened 37 and are down to 36.5. I know other places that opened earlier and opened much lower," Michaelson said.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson