Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview/Week 2 Preseason Picks
19 August 2022
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 123.183; LA Rams 113.772
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 9 ½; 41
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 3; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-3); Over
Week 2 of the NFL Preseason schedule continues on Friday night as the Los Angeles Rams host the Houston Texans. Both teams were able to pick up a win in Week 1, and teams should start to play more starters this week.
Houston enters 2022 with very low expectations, but a new head coach in Lovie Smith, that has had success at this level. The Texans have a number of young players that need some experience, and that is what the regular season will be used for.
Los Angeles is the defending Super Bowl champion, and they have enough talent on that roster to make another run this season. The Rams are going to be competing in the NFL West Division this season, and there are plenty of talented teams in that division.
The Houston Texans are three-point betting favorites on the road in this game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Houston Will Need Some Offense
If the Houston Texans are going to turn things around during the 2022 season, then they are going to have to find a way to score more points. Houston scored just 17 points in the preseason opener, and that isn't going to cut it once the real games start.
Davis Mills is expected to be back as the starting quarterback in Houston, and he went 3-for-3 in Week 1 of the preseason. Houston had 99 rushing yards in that win as well, and running the football can help the Texans in many areas.
Head coach Lovie Smith is a defensive-minded coach, and he will be working hard to turn that unit around this season. The Texans will need the defense to step up until the offense can become a consistent threat.
Defense Dominates For Rams
If you look at the box score from the Rams' win in Week 1 of the preseason, then you won't see many familiar names. Los Angeles has very little interest in playing regulars during the preseason as they have a veteran team.
When the Rams do start to play most of the regular players, then they are going to be dominant on the defensive side of the ball. Los Angeles did give up some big plays to the Chargers in Preseason Week 1, and limiting those will be a focus in this matchup.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford will not be suiting up in this game, but the Rams should still be able to score. This team has turned into a terrific offensive threat, and they will have enough talent on the field to score points in this one.
Texans Roll Over Rams
Expectations and projections for the upcoming 2022 season have very little impact on what takes place during the preseason schedule. Los Angeles is a much better team than the Houston Texans, but the Rams have nothing to play for in this game.
The Houston Texans are going to spend the entire 2022 season trying to improve for the future, and it all starts during the preseason slate. Los Angeles was able to win in the preseason opener, but there is simply no reason for this team to be focusing on winning preseason games.
Houston is going to play well again in this game as they roll to another win and cover the small three-point spread in this matchup.
Below are all of Dunkel's picks for Week 2 of the NFL preaseason:
CHICAGO BEARS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 117.219; Seattle 125.788
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 8 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 4; 40 ½
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-4); Over
The Seattle Seahawks are four-point favorites at home against Chicago on Thursday night. The Bears were able to beat Kansas City in Week 1, but life on the road won’t be as kind. Seattle is going to win the game and cover the four points.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 124.972; New England 126.809
Dunkel Line & Total: New England by 2; 38
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina by 2; 41
Dunkel Pick: New England (+2); Under
The 1-0 Carolina Panthers are two-point betting favorites on the road against the 0-1 New England Patriots. Both teams could end up struggling when the regular season begins as each team is trying to figure things out. The Patriots are going to win win this game at home, and taking them on the moneyline is the way to go.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 114.190; Green Bay 119.102
Dunkel Line & Total: Green Bay by 5; 35
Vegas Line & Total: Green Bay by 3; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-3); Under
A pair of 0-1 teams are set to meet up in Green Bay as the Packers are three-point betting favorites over the New Orleans Saints. Both teams are going to be able to put up points in the regular season, and this should be a high-scoring affair. Green Bay continues to be a tough place for opponents, and the Packers win this game and cover the spread.
DETROIT LIONS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 113.310; Indianapolis 122.718
Dunkel Line & Total: Indianapolis by 9 ½; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 2; 41 ½
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (+2); Under
The Detroit Lions are two-point road favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. Both teams struggled at times in the preseason opener, and Detroit should struggle all year. Indianapolis will play better this week, and taking them at +2.0 is the right bet to make.
DENVER BRONCOS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 122.287; Buffalo 135.782
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 13 ½; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 4 ½; 41
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-4 ½); Over
The Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills should be two of the better teams in the AFC this season. Both teams were winners in Week 1, and the Bills are 4.5-point favorites in this game. As good as Denver might be, the Bills are an absolute powerhouse, and they will cover the spread in this game.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 119.318; Kansas City 118.429
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Kansas City by 3; 41 ½
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3); Under
The Kansas City Chiefs are three-point favorites at home over the Washington Commanders on Saturday. Both teams struggled in Week 1, and the Chiefs aren’t going to be taking this game very serious either. Take the Commanders (+3.0) as they pull off a win in this game.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Las Vegas 126.158; Miami 117.071
Dunkel Line & Total: Las Vegas by 9; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Las Vegas by 2; 39 ½
Dunkel Pick: Las Vegas (-2); Over
The Las Vegas Raiders (-2.0) look to move to 3-0 in the preseason as they travel to Miami to face the Dolphins. Las Vegas has looked sharp throughout the preseason slate, and they win again while covering the spread.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 115.232; Jacksonville 121.293
Dunkel Line & Total: Jacksonville by 6; 38
Vegas Line & Total: Jacksonville by 4; 42 ½
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (-4); Under
The 0-2 Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.0) host the 1-0 Pittsburgh Steelers in a battle of AFC teams. Pittsburgh is going to be a better team in the regular season, but Jacksonville simply needs a win. Take the Jaguars -4.0 as they finally get a win in the preseason.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 123.279; Tennessee 118.395
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 5; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Tennessee by 3; 39 ½
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+3); Over
The Tennessee Titans are three-point betting favorites at home when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams lost in Week 1, and each team will likely be saving up their starters for the regular season. Tampa Bay is going to win this game, and taking them on the moneyline is the best bet to make in this one.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 118.001; Minnesota 124.834
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 4 ½; 40 ½
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-4 ½); Over
The 0-1 Minnesota Vikings host the 1-0 San Francisco 49ers, and it’s Minnesota that is a big 4.5-point favorite. The Vikings are a team that has to make a big jump this season, and they will be focused on Saturday. Take the Vikings -4.5 as they pick up a convincing win over San Francisco.
DALLAS COWBOYS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 109.351; LA Chargers 115.569
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Chargers by 6; 34
Vegas Line & Total: LA Chargers by 3 ½; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: LA Chargers (-3 ½); Under
The Los Angeles Chargers are 3.5-point favorites over the Dallas Cowboys in a battle of 0-1 teams. Both teams are going to be Super Bowl contenders this season, but this game won’t be played that crisp. The Chargers are going to win this game and cover the 3.5-point spread at home.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 126.627; Cleveland 115.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 11; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 2; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-2); Under
The Philadelphia Eagles (-2.0) are on the road at the Cleveland Browns in what could be an interesting game. Philadelphia is going to win this game by double-digits as they cruise to a big win.
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 113.612; NY Giants 125.572
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Giants by 12; 42
Vegas Line & Total: NY Giants by 6; 39 ½
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (-6); Over
The New York Giants are a six-point favorite at home against Cincinnati on Sunday night. This game would be a mismatch in favor of the Bengals in the regular season, but it will go the opposite direction in this one. Take the Giants -6.0 over the Bengals in this one.
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore 136.960; Arizona 120.043
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 17; 33
Vegas Line & Total: Baltimore by 6 ½; 41 ½
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-6 ½); Under
A pair of 1-0 teams meet up in Week 2 as the Arizona Cardinals host the Baltimore Ravens. The Baltimore Ravens are 6.5-point betting favorites a season ago, and this game will end up being a blowout. Take the Ravens -6.5 as they move to 2-0 with another win.
ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW YORK JETS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 112.551; NY Jets 117.151
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Jets by 4 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 ½; 39 ½
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (+2 ½); Over
The New York Jets host the Atlanta Falcons, and both teams picked up a Week 1 win. Atlanta is a 2.5-point road favorite in this matchup of two teams that are in the middle of a rebuild. The Jets appear to be further along, and they should be the best bet on the moneyline.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
