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Every week we get deeper into the preseason, the closer we get to real football.
The common practice for playing time in Week 2 of the exhibition calendar is for the starters to play the first quarter, backups playing the second quarter, and the scrubs fighting for roster spots playing the second half.
Not all teams follow this staple, however, and that’s why we’re going long to find any nuggets to help our readers gain an edge over the book when betting on the NFL preseason on Thursday.
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins (-3, 38)
Ravens
Starting quarterback Joe Flacco is out for all of preseason with a bad back, meaning bettors will see lots of Ryan Mallett. The Ravens’ de facto No. 1 QB hasn’t impressed in training camp and wasn’t much better in his Week 1 preseason appearance. Mallett completed nine of 18 passes for 58 yards and an average of 3.2 yards per attempt.
Baltimore cut Dustin Vaughan, the guy behind Mallett on the depth chart, and signed veteran Thad Lewis as his replacement. Mallett, Lewis, and Josh Woodrum will get all the snaps on Thursday against the Dolphins.
Dolphins
Jay "smoke 'em if you got ‘em" Cutler makes his debut for the Fish on Thursday. The retread QB, formerly of the Bears and Broncos, will start against the Ravens and is expected to play a couple series - maybe even all the first quarter.
Matt Moore, who started last week under center, is not expected to get much action this week. Coach Adam Gase is worried about over-extending his 33-year-old veteran.
That leaves Brandon Doughty and David Fales to split the remaining snaps once Culter completes his cameo. Fales went 8-for-17 on pass attempts and racked up 184 yards and two TDs to one INT last week. Doughty completed seven of his 12 pass attempts and totaled 69 yards through the air with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Miami beat reporters suggest starting running back Jay Ajayi might not play as he is still recovering from a concussion suffered earlier in camp.
Line moves
The total opened at 39.5 but has been bet down to 38, while the Fish have gone from 2.5-point favorites to 3-point chalk.
Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles (-4, 39.5)
Bills
Buffalo fans are still spinning following the two trades their team made last week, shipping its best wide receiver and cornerback out of town. One of the players the Bills got back in the trades, WR Jordan Matthews, is a bit banged up and isn’t expected to play for the rest of the preseason. Ditto for starting left tackle Cordy Glenn.
Rookie QB Nathan Peterman has overtaken T.J. Yates as the team’s top backup under center. Tyrod Taylor will start and play most of the first quarter before giving way to Peterman and Yates.
Eagles
Philly head coach Doug Pederson says his plan for playing time should mirror Week 1 when the starters got one series before heading to the sidelines. Pederson says he might extend their playing time to two drives, but no more.
The Eagles released veteran running back Ryan Matthews earlier this week, clearing the path for LeGarrette Blount to the top of the depth chart.
New wideout Alshon Jeffery is expected to make his first preseason appearance for the Eagles on Thursday, although Pederson hinted he’d like to see his team do a better job of establishing the run game. Philly picked up just 47 yards on the ground last week on 19 carries against the Green Bay Packers.
Line moves
The spread and total are both holding steady to their opening numbers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Pick’em, 40.5)
Buccaneers
The Bucs’ starters are expected to play the entire first half against the Jags. Don’t expect wideout DeSean Jackson to suit up though, as the free agent signee was limited in practice on Tuesday because of a sore ankle.
Tampa will be working in a new kicker after the team cut former 2016 second rounder Roberto Aguayo.
Jaguars
Things aren’t going well for the Jags and we’re just a week into preseason. Starting running back Leonard Fournette will not play against TB because of a foot injury.
Meanwhile starting quarterback Blake Bortles is having a disastrous training camp. He tossed two picks in practice over the weekend before head coach Doug Marrone yanked him. Marrone had Bortles sit out more sessions because he said he thought his QB’s arm looked tired. Bortles says his arm is fine.
Awkward.
There have already been a couple videos going viral from practice where Jags receivers can be heard voicing their frustration with the throws they’re getting from Bortles.
Line moves
The total has moved down half a point to 40.5 while the spread went from Jags -1.5 to pick’em.