NFL Preseason Picks & Best Bets for Friday, Aug 28
By Eric Rosales in NFL News
Published:
- The Dallas Cowboys look to finish the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record as they host the Saints
- Expect an offensive struggle when the Seahawks visit the Kansas City Chiefs
- Read below for my top NFL preseason picks and best bets for Week 3
It’s the final week of NFL preseason action, which means that almost every player of significance, much less anyone in the mix in the NFL MVP odds, will likely see the field this weekend.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be spirited play: there are positions to be won and guys battling on the bubble of the rosters, doing their best to ensure it doesn’t burst.
I’ve narrowed down Friday night’s 10-game slate to share my favorite picks in the last tune-up before the games get real.
Read below for my picks and best bets for Friday, August 28.
NFL Preseason Picks for Aug 28
Odds as of August 28. Use the Kalshi sign-up bonus to wager on NFL games this season.
Pick #1: Cowboys vs Saints Moneyline
There might not be a better preseason QB combo going than Joe Milton III and Sam Howell.
Milton was a beast last game, going 9-for-13 passing for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also running in a major, as Dallas rolled the Arizona Cardinals 34-13. Combined, the pair have thrown for 439 yards and four TD’s through two games.
The offense has scored 51 points through two games, while Dallas’ defense has allowed just 20 points over that same stretch.
They will probably make it hard for the Saints to get a good evaluation on the QB2 position, a battle between Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson. Neither has grabbed the reins, as both had interceptions last week in a 34-0 loss to the Rams.
Dallas’ QB advantage is the difference here.
- Pick: Cowboys -2.5 (-105 at bet365)
Pick #2: SEA Seahawks vs KC Chiefs Total
We already knew that Patrick Mahomes was the driving force behind the Chiefs’ offense (KC is Top 5 in the Super Bowl odds), but the preseason without him under center without taking a single snap shows just how underwhelming this unit is without him.
Kansas City has just one total TD in two preseason games, with Harrison Butker field goals accounting for 21 of the Chiefs’ 27 total points scored so far this preaseason.
It’s expected that Garrett Nussmeier, the seventh-round pick out of LSU, will get plenty of snaps for the Chiefs, and he’ll be going up a Seahawks defense that boasts a pretty stout second unit.
The mostly-reserve ‘Hawks’ D has held teams under 20 points in both preseason games.
Sam Darnold might be the only QB1 seeing the field Friday across the NFL, but it’s a must that the first unit actually takes the scheme of new OC Brian Fleury and put it into a real, live game scenario.
Don’t expect that unit to get more than two series to start the game.
The Under has cashed in all four games these teams have played this preseason, so expect the beat to go on Friday.
- Pick: Under 35.5 points (-110 at BetMGM)
Pick #3: Buccaneers vs Jaguars Total
Another preseason QB darling that will likely be forgotten in the regular season mix is Tampa’s Jalon Daniels. He’s locked up the QB2 role behind Baker Mayfield, and he’s been ripping it up this preseason.
He was solid in a 16-15 win over the Chiefs, going 9-for-14 for 71 yards and a TD, while also running for 19 yards. This was a follow up to his debut effort, when Daniels went 10-for-15 for 111 yards, while picking up a rushing score.
Daniels has led Tampa to points in each of the seven possessions he has been given (five TD’s and two field goals on seven drives).
Jacksonville’s got its own unknown stud, who will wash away once Trevor Lawrence takes over for real, but Joey Aguilar has been fun to watch at the pivot position.
The undrafted rook has went 9-for-10 for 130 yards and a TD pass last week against the Panthers, and he opened the preseason hitting a 43-yard bomb on his only pass attempt against the Saints.
These guys should do enough to push this number past the light line.
- Pick: Over 34.5 points (-163 at Kalshi)
Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
