Week 2 NFL Preseason Football: Weekend Preview

Week 2 of NFL preseason betting is underway with plenty of news, notes and drama surrounding this weekend’s biggest matchups. Football bettors need to keep an ear to the ground to find out coach’s plans, injury updates and player thoughts when wagering these tune-up tilts. Click here to bet on week 2 NFL preseason games at BetUS online sportsbook

Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings
The big news around the league this week was the Vikings’ addition of veteran quarterback Brett Favre to the roster. Favre, who originally said he would stay retired, joins Minnesota to mixed opinions. Bettors will see if those doubters are right when Favre starts Friday’s home game. He is expected to play just one series on offense but will definitely draw a lot of action on this contest. Minnesota could end up carrying a little more chalk than it deserves.

Kansas City has a QB controversy of its own this preseason. Offseason acquisition Matt Cassel’s job as starter isn’t etched in stone. He was dismal in the team’s preseason opener and was overshadowed by the performances of backups Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle. Head coach Todd Haley wouldn’t say if Cassel is in danger of losing his starting job but didn’t deny the fact either. Expect Cassel to come out with guns blazing Friday night.

Atlanta Falcons at St. Louis Rams
Rams starting quarterback Marc Bulger will miss this week’s game with a broken finger on his right hand. He suffered the injury during Monday’s practice and will now watch backups Kyle Boller and Brock Berlin share snaps Friday night. Those two will have top draft choice Jason Smith protecting them when the rookie offensive lineman gets his first start due to an injury to tackle Alex Barron.

Falcons coach Mike Smith’s stand on the preseason was obvious by the way his team coasted in the final minutes of their opener with the Detroit Lions. Atlanta let a 26-17 lead slip away in the final three minutes of the game behind some big passing plays from the Lions’ third stringers. Detroit totaled 263 yards through the air against the Falcons, who are now without their starting cornerback Chris Houston. The team is being extra careful with injuries this preseason and will start third-string CB Chevis Jackson in Houston’s place.

New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans
Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees of the Saints will take the field in Houston with a heavy heart this weekend. Last year’s passing leader attended his mother’s funeral this week in Colorado. He was back at practice Thursday after missing camp since Saturday. Brees played in the preseason opener after hearing of his mother’s death last weekend. He threw for 88 yards on 6-for-9 passing and will get more snaps against the Texans Saturday.

Houston’s linebacker corps took a hit this week with injuries to Cato June and Chaun Thompson keeping those bodies out of action. The Texans and Saints already have some bad blood boiling from their practices together this week. The teams were involved in numerous scuffles which should carry over into the weekend.

Head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters he plans to let his starters go for one-and-a-half quarters Saturday while the second teams will get similar sets, leaving the third stringers to close out the game. Houston won’t have backup QB Rex Grossman for the remainder of the preseason after he injured his hamstring in last week’s preseason opener.