NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions, Odds & Picks — Friday (8/9)

Friday’s NFL preseason prediction, odds, and picks are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from Falcons vs. Dolphins to Eagles vs. Ravens and everything in between.

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Week 1 of the NFL preseason kicked off with a couple of low-scoring affairs on Thursday. The action continues on Friday with THREE exhibition matchups, which include: Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens.

Even though preseason football games aren’t the most exciting, they still feature plenty of betting opportunities. Let’s highlight some of them as we preview Friday night’s NFL preseason action.

NFL Preseason Game Record: 3-0-0

NFL Preseason Best Bet Record: 2-1-0

NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting (8/9)

All NFL preseason odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, Aug. 9 at 10:22 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Falcons vs Dolphins Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: Atlanta Falcons (0-0) vs. Miami Dolphins (0-0)
• Venue & Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
• Date: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Falcons vs. Dolphins: NFL+

Falcons vs Dolphins Spread

• Atlanta Falcons -2.5 (-115)
• Miami Dolphins +2.5 (-105)

Dolphins vs Falcons Over/Under

• Over 37.5 Points (-110)
• Under 37.5 Points (-110)

Falcons vs Dolphins Moneyline

• Atlanta Falcons (-150)
• Miami Dolphins (+130)

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The Dolphins were one of the NFL’s top teams in 2023, racking up 11 victories before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, head into the new campaign hoping for their first winning year since 2017 after going 7-10 for the third consecutive season.

I can’t help but like the Dolphins as the underdogs tonight. Assuming that we only see backup players tonight, I like the experience that QBs Mike White and Skylar Thompson bring to the table compared to Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke, and Nathan Rourke. Siding with the home team is even easier once you take into account that Atlanta is also a putrid 4-16 ATS in its last 20 preseason games.

It’ll be a close (and probably ugly) game, however, the hometown crowd combined with the Falcons’ recent preseason struggles has me viewing the Dolphins as the better pick to cover the spread.

Falcons vs. Dolphins NFL Preseason Prediction: MIA wins

Best Falcons vs. Dolphins Bet: MIA +2.5 (-105)

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Texans vs Steelers Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: Houston Texans (0-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
• Venue & Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Date: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Texans vs. Steelers: NFL+, NFL Network

Texans vs Steelers Spread

• Houston Texans -2.5 (-115)
• Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5 (-105)

Steelers vs Texans Over/Under

• Over 37.5 Points (-105)
• Under 37.5 Points (-115)

Texans vs Steelers Moneyline

• Houston Texans (-140)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (+120)

An MVP-like performance from QB C.J. Stroud helped the Houston Texans exceed all expectations last year as they went 10-7 with a Division Round appearance. They’re going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also finished with 10 wins before going 0-1 in the postseason.

Even though the Steelers are the home team, I see the Texans winning on the road. Houston has already confirmed that its starters will play one or two series of downs, which could give them a chance to do some early damage to Pittsburgh. The Steelers have confirmed that Justin Fields is starting, which doesn’t inspire much confidence given that he looked fairly underwhelming in his final season with the Chicago Bears.

The Steelers might be on a six-game win streak in August, but all good things must come to an end. Look for the Texans to squeak out a win in hostile territory.

Texans vs. Steelers NFL Preseason Prediction: HOU wins

Best Texans vs. Steelers Bet: HOU ML (-140)

Eagles vs Ravens Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles (0-0) vs. Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
• Venue & Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)
• Date: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Eagles vs. Ravens: NFL+

Eagles vs Ravens Spread

• Philadelphia Eagles -1 (-110)
• Baltimore Ravens +1 (-110)

Ravens vs Eagles Over/Under

• Over 34 Points (-110)
• Under 34 Points (-110)

Eagles vs Ravens Moneyline

• Philadelphia Eagles (-119)
• Baltimore Ravens (-101)

The Eagles finally return to the gridiron after going 1-6 SU in their final seven 2023 games, which includes a brutal 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the preseason. As for the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson & Co. aim to pick up from where they left off after making their first AFC Championship Game appearance in over a decade.

Even though the oddsmakers are slightly favoring the Eagles, I could see an upset in the cards tonight. After all, Baltimore is a whopping 25-1 SU across its last 26 preseason games, whereas Philadelphia has only covered the spread twice in its last 13 exhibition contests. It’s clear that the preseason is where the Ravens thrive.

With history on their side, let’s take the Ravens on the moneyline.

Eagles vs. Ravens NFL Preseason Prediction: BAL wins

Best Eagles vs. Ravens Bet: BAL ML (-101)

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