All times Eastern
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Thursday, August 9
7:00 pm Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills (-2 1/2, 34) - Buffalo is rebuilding (again), and they have the makings of an 8-8 team that is unlikely to reach the playoffs. Thus, the Panthers will probably slaughter them, having a more experienced, tightly-knit team that is seeking the playoffs and beyond.
Look for a couple of Buffalo turnovers to make Carolina's job easier.
Coin Flip: CAROLINA
PREDICTION: Panthers 27 Bills 13
7:00 pm Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals (-2 1/2, 35 1/2) - The Bears already have a loss on their record, a 17-16 defeat to the Ravens in last week's Hall of Fame game. The feeling is that they're an improving group, and since the Bengals (7-9 last season) may be reverting to their former bumbling selves, a good shot at a Chicago win is presented.
Coin Flip: BENGALS
PREDICTION: Bears 20 Bengals 13
7:00 pm New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2 1/2, 34 1/2) - The surprise Jaguars won the AFC South in 2017 and are poised to improve off that effort. New Orleans captured the NFC South with an 11-5 mark last season and should be competitive once again. If anything, this game could produce some offensive fireworks. A close one favors the Saints.
Coin Flip: JACKSONVILLE
PREDICTION: Jaguars 22 Saints 20
7:00 pm Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (-1 1/2, 34) - With the James Winston issues front and center, the Bucs need to rally and remain composed. Both teams were major disappointments last season, but Miami really had some awful moments and needs to improve to even stay close to Tampa Bay.
Coin Flip: TAMPA BAY
PREDICTION: Buccaneers 19 Dolphins 10
7:00 pm Washington Redskins at New England Patriots (-3 1/2, 37) - It's unlikely that Tom Brady will see more than a handful of snaps, but Washington QB Alex Smith may play a number of series, just to get acquainted with the offense. Nothing against New England, but they're probably more interested in evaluating fresh talent than winning the game, making the Redskins a solid pick.
Coin Flip: NEW ENGLAND
PREDICTION: Redskins 24 Patriots 16
7:00 pm Cleveland Browns at NY Giants (even, 34 1/2) - The Browns are going to get a good look this preseason on at least three quarterbacks. Tyrod Taylor was acquired from Buffalo, Drew Stanton from Arizona, and first round pick, Baker Mayfield.
The Giants will stick with Eli Manning behind center and will be looking for reliable running backs since they didn't have any last season. While the Browns were 0-16 last season, the Giants weren't much better at 3-13. This is the stinker of the week. Take a shot with the Browns.
Coin Flip: NY GIANTS
PREDICTION: Browns 17 Giants 14
7:00 pm Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (-3, 33 1/2) - Both teams were 13-3 last season, so figure their starters are pretty well established and will likely play only a few series. On the bench are some solid backups, who will get the bulk of the playing time. The Steelers are expert at plugging people into the right spots, but the Eagles may have the jump in talent at this early juncture as they won the Super Bowl last season.
Coin Flip: PHILADELPHIA
PREDICTION: Eagles 31 Steelers 17
7:30 pm LA Rams at Baltimore Ravens (-3, 36) - The Ravens looked OK in their preseason debut against the Bears with a 17-16 win, but will have their hands full with the Rams, winners of the NFC West last season with an 11-5 record.
With the line favoring the home team in every game this weekend, the Rams, and their run-stuffing defense, look like a no-brainer pick for an upset.
Coin Flip: BALTIMORE
PREDICTION: Rams 20 Ravens 13
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