FINAL SCRATCHPAD - NFL Preseason Week 2 2026 Predictions
Methodology: Since actual game results were not yet available (games kick off Aug 22, research cutoff same day), predictions were derived from consensus market betting lines (spread + total) gathered from multiple sportsbook/media sources (thebiglead.com betting guide, bookmakersreview.com, covers.com moneyline picks, FanDuel research, reviewjournal/VSiN, sbgglobal), combined with reported starter-availability/depth-chart notes for each team.
Conversion formula used: homescore ≈ (total + homespread)/2, awayscore ≈ (total - homespread)/2, then rounded to plausible integers balancing both the total and the margin as closely as possible.
Per-game rationale:
- GB-DEN: Broncos heavy favorites (-4 to -6.5 across books, converged ~-5.5), total ~38.5-41.5 (used 40). Bo Nix expected to play a series, Jordan Love plays one series for GB; Denver's deeper roster expected to pull away. => DEN 24, GB 17.
- WAS-DET: Lions -4.5, total 37.5. Conflicting reports on Jared Goff (thebiglead says he sits again, Joshua Dobbs gets bigger role; covers.com said Goff plays) - weighted toward thebiglead's more specific sourcing. Commanders playing "good amount" of starters per Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels uncertain. => DET 21, WAS 17.
- BUF-CLE: Browns -1.5 (home), total 36.5. Josh Allen not expected to play; Shedeur Sanders starts for Cleveland after promising relief outing. Close game. => CLE 19, BUF 18.
- ATL-IND: Colts -3.5 (home), total 40.5. Both teams sitting top starters (no Tua for ATL despite him now being a Falcon; Daniel Jones not playing for IND, Riley Leonard starts). => IND 22, ATL 19.
- BAL-MIN: Vikings -2.5 (home), total 36.5. Kyler Murray not playing; JJ McCarthy extended run for MIN. Ravens leaning on Joe Fagnano at QB. => MIN 20, BAL 17.
- NO-LAR: Saints favored by ~3 on road (Rams home +3), total 37.5. Matthew Stafford sitting again for Rams; Tyler Shough in line for more Saints work. => NO 20, LAR 17.
- NYG-MIA: Giants favored by ~3.5 on road (Dolphins home dog), total 36.5. Miami very thin at backup QB (Cam Miller/Mark Gronowski); Giants also uncertain but expected to control tempo. => NYG 20, MIA 16.
- CHI-CIN: Bengals -1.5 (home), total 40.5. Burrow limited to short run again; Bagent questionable for CHI (hamstring), Case Keenum/Caleb Williams taste. Kept as tight, high-scoring backup game. => CIN 21, CHI 20.
- PHI-NE: Eagles favored by ~3.5 on road (Patriots home dog), total 36.5. Neither Hurts nor Maye expected to play; Tanner McKee/Andy Dalton vs Tommy DeVito/Behren Morton. => PHI 20, NE 17.
- KC-TB: Buccaneers -5.5 (home), total 36.5. Mahomes out again (Fields/Nussmeier for KC); Baker Mayfield playing meaningful snaps for TB for first time under Bowles despite Egbuka out. => TB 21, KC 16.
- DAL-ARI: Cardinals -1.5 (home), total 37.5. Dak Prescott sitting; Milton/Howell battle for Dallas; Cardinals rotating Brissett/Minshew/Slovis, Jeremiyah Love out. => ARI 20, DAL 18.
- SEA-TEN: Titans -4.5 (home), total 38.5. Cam Ward gets another start for TEN with Levis in relief (Trubisky banged up); Seattle leaning on Lock/Milroe, Darnold likely limited/absent. => TEN 22, SEA 17.
All 12 predicted outcomes align with the market-favored team winning (no upset picks), reflecting the strong signal from spread consensus across independent sources. Totals kept in typical preseason range (36-41) given backup-heavy rosters across the board.
Key uncertainty: preseason games have high score variance due to unpredictable backup/rookie performances (turnovers, garbage-time scores, etc.), so exact score confidence is low; the aim was to capture correct outcome direction and plausible scoring range rather than precise final totals.
