Ravens vs Vikings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday's NFL Preseason Game
Find the best NFL bets today - Aug. 21, 2026. Free expert and computer picks for every NFL game.
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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-- |
+1.5 -110 |
o37.5 -110 |
+114 |
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-- |
-1.5 -105 |
u38.5 -110 |
+100 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
-1.5 -105 |
o36.5 -110 |
-125 |
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-- |
+1.5 -105 |
u37.5 -110 |
+115 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+6.5 -114 |
o40.5 -105 |
+220 |
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-- |
-6.5 +100 |
u41.5 -110 |
-233 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+1.5 -110 |
o36.5 -110 |
+105 |
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-- |
-1.5 +100 |
u37.5 -115 |
-115 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+2.5 +110 |
o36.5 -110 |
+130 |
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-- |
-2.5 -110 |
u37.0 -110 |
-140 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+3.5 -110 |
o36.5 -110 |
+155 |
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-- |
-3.5 +100 |
u37.5 -132 |
-166 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+3.5 -106 |
o36.5 -108 |
+170 |
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-- |
-3.5 -102 |
u36.5 -104 |
-174 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
-1.5 -105 |
o37.5 -105 |
-125 |
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-- |
+1.5 -105 |
u37.5 -110 |
+110 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
-2.5 -120 |
o36.5 -105 |
-162 |
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-- |
+2.5 +100 |
u36.5 -106 |
+150 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+1.5 -110 |
o36.5 -110 |
-120 |
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|
-- |
+1.0 -110 |
u37.0 -110 |
+110 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
-1.5 -105 |
o36.5 -110 |
-120 |
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|
-- |
+1.5 -105 |
u36.5 -105 |
+112 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+5.5 -110 |
o36.5 -120 |
+200 |
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-- |
-5.5 -105 |
u37.5 -110 |
-215 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+1.5 -120 |
o37.5 -105 |
+100 |
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-- |
-1.5 +105 |
u38.5 -115 |
-110 |
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-- |
+4.5 -105 |
o37.5 -110 |
+185 |
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|
-- |
-4.5 -105 |
u38.5 -115 |
-198 |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
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-- |
-- |
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Once the key starters are pulled, both these teams are relying heavily on young QBs and inexperienced backup offensive lines. The Pittsburgh Steelers' second- and third-string defense was particularly impressive last week, and should get after the New York Jets' backup QBs, who led them to just 16 points in Week 1.
Both the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to play a few starters for a short period of time, but this game will be won by the backups. Pittsburgh's young QB duo of Will Howard and Drew Allar combined for three TDs and 239 passing yards last week. They have the advantage over Cade Klubnik and the Jets backup QBs, who take on a deep Steelers second- and third-string defense.
The Panthers' first team offense couldn't move the ball in last week's preseason game and were no better in the joint practice. Jacksonville originally planned to play its starters but appears to be reconsidering.
LaFleur is treading lightly with his top talent in the preseason, instead focusing on rounding out the Packers’ depth chart.
That includes quarterback, and he’ll take another extended look at QB3 Kyle McCord and give limited reps to Love and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor.
McCord impressed at home in Week 1 of the preseason, but he faces a tougher task on the road Friday. The five sacks the Cheeseheads' O-line allowed in Week 1 are also reason for concern.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters his starters will play around 14 snaps in their second tune-up game of the summer. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told the media his starters will once again be lightly used, limiting them to a drive in Denver. Rarely does home field matter much in the preseason but the altitude at Mile High is especially grueling at this point in the schedule as players work their way into game shape. The thin air tests conditioning and is a big reason why the Broncos are undefeated in the preseason at home since 2020 (7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS) and own a stellar record in home openers.
Both Washington and Detroit saw strong defensive performances a week ago. With the Lions rotating offensive linemen and not playing Goff or St. Brown, and Mariota's injury for the Commanders, points will be difficult to come by after Daniels exits the game.
Jayden Daniels is expected to play a few series for the Commanders, giving them a key advantage over the Lions. With Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown not participating, I'll back the team that has the better QB play over the unit that turned it over three times last week.
Even with Cleveland’s quarterbacks playing, the Under makes sense because this still profiles like a backup-heavy preseason game. Buffalo should have a lower ceiling without Allen, and Cleveland scored only 10 points last week. Unless turnovers create easy points, sustained offense could be limited.
Cleveland has the more compelling preseason setup with Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson expected to see meaningful quarterback reps. Buffalo is unlikely to use Josh Allen after a heavy joint-practice workload, lowering its offensive ceiling. That gives the Browns the cleaner path to cover.
The Under 36.5 fits because both teams should lean heavily on backups after using joint practices for starter work. There is enough quarterback depth to move the ball, but preseason rhythm can be choppy, especially in the red zone. This profiles as more evaluation than fireworks.
Minnesota has the cleaner preseason angle with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and possibly Max Brosmer handling quarterback reps behind Kyler Murray. Baltimore should sit key starters after joint practices, while the Vikings reportedly gave the Ravens issues defensively this week. That gives Minnesota the edge.
This matchup profiles more like an evaluation game than a scoring showcase. Most starters are sitting after joint practices, which lowers the offensive ceiling on both sides. Unless turnovers or short fields create easy points, sustained drives could be difficult with backups handling most of the work.
Indianapolis has the better preseason quarterback plan with Riley Leonard playing the first half and Anthony Richardson Sr. taking over after halftime. Atlanta is sitting its main starters, while the Colts at least have two intriguing signal-callers capable of creating offense in different ways across four quarters.
The starters got their work in during the joint practice, so this will be primarily backups. The Saints had the fewest rushing yards of any NFL team during last week's preseason schedule, and they struggled against the Rams' D in practice.
The Rams were six games better than the Saints last season, are playing at home and had the edge in the joint practice session between the teams this week. It's not clear why they're the underdog, but, with the Saints cramming joint practices with two different teams into a game week on the West Coast, they're likely to be fatigued.
The two teams combined for 17 points on offense in their first preseason games and gave up just 33. New York looked good when the first-string offense was on the field, but with a newly signed RB and QB making their Giant debuts, they won't score enough late to get this Over.
During Ben Johnson's tenure as head coach, the Chicago Bears have averaed 31.2 PPG in the preseason. The average game total in those games is 46.5. With Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum's preseason dominance, the Bears can do the heavy lifting for this Over against a shaky Bengals second-string defense.
Ben Johnson's track record as the Chicago Bears' head coach in the preseason is impressive. Under Johnson, the Bears are 3-0-1 in the preseason, outscoring opponents 125-61. His backup QB is even better, with the Bears being 7-0-1 in Tyson Bagen's last eight preseason games. The Bears' offense should make the difference against a Cincinnati Bengals team likely playing Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford for the majority of the game.
We’ll get a lot of handoffs from both offenses in the opening half, which keeps gains shorter and the clock moving. That's a recipe for Unders.
The second half is under the control of quarterbacks deep down the depth chart, and the swampy Florida summer will really slow both sides.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to give their starters between eight and 15 snaps on Saturday. That news from head coach Todd Bowles, along with the Kansas City Chiefs protecting their top talents, produced the significant swing in the spread.
It’s a drastic adjustment considering Kansas City boasts a capable QB2 in Justin Fields. He can make throws but also pick up yards with his legs when plays go sideways, which happens often in the preseason.
Chicago has high hopes in 2026, especially after coming an OT defeat away from playing the conference championship. This is Year 2 under head coach Ben Johnson, and Williams is an MVP sleeper if he can take the Chicago Bears to the next level. The Carolina Panthers backed into the postseason last year, with five losses in their final eight games, and I’m a little surprised this spread is short of a field goal, considering Carolina went 2-5 against playoff teams.
Consistency has been scarce in Duval County, but the 2026 season sees the Jaguars with their most steady foundation in years. Head coach Liam Coen enters Year 2 with his offense intact and the Jacksonville defense builds on a Top 10 stop unit last season. The same can’t be said for Cleveland. The Browns have a new coaching staff, a mess at QB and a massive gap in the defense after trading away Myles Garrett. They’re not going to figure it all out by Week 1 and face a tough team on the road and likely some nasty Florida heat and humidity in their first full-speed game.
The Lions have led the NFL in home scoring in back-to-back seasons and are coming off a year in which they averaged 32.5 points per game in Detroit. While they should be able to do a lot of the heavy lifting to push this game Over 48.5, don't sleep on the Saints offense who made some major upgrades this offseason. Kellen Moore has been the arcitect of some great offenses on his way to becoming head coach of New Orleans. Expect his strengths to be on full display with a talented group of playmakers at his disposal.
The Texans were active in the offseason, bolstering their dog poo O-line and adding a steady rushing threat in David Montgomery. QB C.J. Stroud got the vote of confidence at QB (for at least one more year) and should improve given the better talent around him. For Buffalo, Josh Allen gets a true No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore, who could show out in his Buffalo debut, as his career numbers spike when he plays indoors (I’ll be sniffing around his Week 1 props as well).
This should be Kyler Murray’s Minnesota Vikings debut. A lot can happen between now and Week 1 — just ask J.J. McCarthy. — and whoever wins the QB1 job might not even finish the game, considering the pass rush coming after him. The Packers were a Super Bowl contender that came apart at the seams last season, with injuries decimating their depth chart on both sides of the ball.
New Giants coach John Harbaugh blasted his team’s pass protection after QB1 Jaxson Dart was sent to the medical tent in the team’s exhibition opener (Dart was cleared of any injury). He’ll need to tighten the bolts before facing Dallas on SNF in Week 1. The Cowboys ranked tops in pressure on passers last season, leading to the No. 1 hurry rate and the second most QB hits (also allowed third most rushing yards to QBs). As a dangerous dual-threat, Dart will see his number called plenty of times in this revamped Ravens-inspired offense and will pick up bonus rushing yards as he scrambles away from pressure.
Offensively, the G-Men are hoping all their young skill players are back from injury in time for this opener. Running back Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers are trending in the right direction, and second-year QB Jaxson Dart has an improved O-line in front of him. We know the Cowboys will score points... but can they stop anyone from scoring? New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is Dallas’ fourth DC in four seasons, and while the draft brought in some much-needed talent, this could still be a team that gives up home run plays.
Distractions in sports tend to be overrated, but the Kansas City Chiefs have A LOT going on headed into the new season. It's fair to question what version of Patrick Mahomes we'll get in Week 1 after tearing his ACL and LCL late last season. The fact that he's coming of a bad season (by his standards) and will be playing one of the league's top defenses adds to those concerns. Denver is coming off a season where they went 5-1 ATS as an underdog. Expect them to be ready to compete and keep this game within the number against a Chiefs team that could need time to find its footing.
Patrick Mahomes is trending toward playing in Week 1 after suffering an ACL injury last season. And the schedule makers did the best they could to get No. 15 back on the field, giving him an extra day of rest. He likely won't be the full 100% version of Mahomes, however, and the Denver Broncos defense remains among the elite under coordinator Vance Joseph, especially against the pass. The Broncos have done an excellent job shutting down Mahomes the past two seasons, and that respect shows in this sub-44 total.
Our experts and prediction models are hard at work analyzing the data. Check back shortly for today's picks, or explore our Computer Picks for inspiration.
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