We have a trio of NFL preseason picks for Friday's slate of three games. Week 3 of the preseason resumes with Jaguars–Falcons and Dolphins–Buccaneers scheduled for a staggered start in the early evening, with the first of the two contests set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET, and then we'll head to the weekend with 49ers–Raiders, which will bring the night to a close at 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
Let's get into our totals and spreads that our experts are betting Friday.
NFL Preseason Picks for Friday, August 23
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Sam Farley's Jaguars vs Falcons Best Bet: Jacksonville First Half Spread
By Sam Farley
Heading into this preseason finale for the Jaguars and Falcons, we were hit by a piece of news that totally flipped the market and is the main reasoning behind this wager. That news is the fact that the Jaguars intend to play their starters early in Friday's game against the Falcons, while it is expected that the Falcons will sit theirs.
It's not set in stone how long we'll see Trevor Lawrence and his teammates, but Jags HC Doug Pederson has said it's likely to be "two quarters" depending on "the way the game goes." He also mentioned the team is treating this like a regular season matchup.
The Jags are 2-0 in preseason so far, with the Falcons 0-2. Given that we're set to see a half from the road team's starters, we have to back them to cover the first half spread.
Pick: Jaguars 1H -4.5 (-105)
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Ricky Henne's Dolphins vs Buccaneers Best Bet: Fade This Over/Under Trend
By Ricky Henne
The under has been a cash cow thus far this preseason, so there’s no way I’m taking the over on the highest total of the week, right? Not so fast. I’m with the sharps on this one, backing the over.
This game doesn’t quite have the same feel as most of the dreadful matchups we’ll be blessed with this week. Instead, we’re trending toward first-teamers on offense getting some run.
For the Bucs, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters he’s eager to see what his new offensive coordinator Liam Coen can do with Baker Mayfield and the first-team offensive line in game action. In Miami, head coach Mike McDaniel also said he’s leaning toward letting his first stringers take the field.
We also won’t see the typical stomach churning quarterback play from soon-to-be practice squad players that typically plague preseason finales. For example, there's a fierce battle to back up Tua Tagovailoa between Skylar Thompson and Mike White, which has me bullish on Miami putting forth a (somewhat) competitive offense on the field for a full 60 minutes.
Still, you may want to wait until as close as possible to kickoff before placing any wager. I’m only putting a taste on it considering that's my preseason modus operandi. If word breaks that either team isn't giving their starters much run, this is definitely a stay-away for me.
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John LanFranca's 49ers vs Raiders Best Bet: SF Laying Too Many Points
The line for this game has moved significantly with the news the Raiders starting offense will not play, while Kyle Shanahan will use this game as a dress rehearsal for his starters. I am simply not expecting an extended look at Brock Purdy, and without his full cast of characters surrounding him, it's no certainty he is going to lead them to an early score.
Purdy's brief appearance last Sunday resulted in 11 yards passing on six attempts, and it was mainly due to the turmoil the Niners are dealing with up front. San Francisco has a severe lack of depth on the offensive line, and I have my doubts about how long Shanahan will risk the health of the remaining starters.
The 49ers defense is dead-last this preseason in Pro Football Focus' tackling grade, leading the league in missed tackles over their two games played. To make the final decisions at the bottom of the roster, it is fair to expect more reps for defenders who may be on the fringe of making this team.
Lastly, Nathan Peterman and Carter Bradley are batting for the third string quarterback spot on the Raiders. Peterman is a six year NFL veteran whose preseason track record is solid with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He should be able to do just enough to allow the Raiders to hang around in this game as he looks to cement his roster spot.
Pick: Raiders +7.5 (-110)
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