NFL Preseason Betting – Saturday Picks

Thanks to Brett Favre, NFL betting is back in the forefront at most offshore sportsbooks this week. We’ve all got preseason football on the mind, so let’s try a Saturday parlay with our NFL picks.

New York Giants @ Chicago Bears (-2)

Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET

Preseason games are usually difficult to predict but this NFC battle doesn’t seem that way, as the Bears clearly have more to play for than the Giants. Jay Cutler drew criticism after an ugly preseason debut last week in which he completed just 50 per cent of his passes and threw an interception. To develop his confidence and quiet any detractors, he needs to show improved chemistry with Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. With Greg Olsen and Matt Forte likely joining the lineup Saturday, Cutler and the Bears offense should improve dramatically.

The Giants have nothing to prove and, after seeing rookie back Andre Brown succumb to a season-ending injury last week, should be tentative about giving their starters playing time. Bet on the Bears at home.

Best betting management pick: Bears -2

New Orleans Saints @ Houston Texans (-3)

Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET

Texans fans – not to mention NFL picks prognosticators – are licking their chops over the Texans’ potential, but they’ll be disappointed on Saturday in Houston. Matt Schaub was fantastic in Houston’s preseason opener but he wasn’t pressured. The Saints’ pass rush has actually looked good early on, so it will hurry Schaub. Since Schaub is so brittle, he also likely won’t play much, giving way to the Texans’ horrific backup corps including Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman.

The Saints will give Drew Brees a cup of coffee but are likely to play their second-stringers. Their backups are solid by preseason standards. Mark Brunell is more than capable of taking a team downfield against second and third-string defenses and receiver Robert Meachem, for whatever reason, is a preseason pass-catching dynamo. He and Brunell hooked up for a 64-yard TD catch last week.

The Saints’ depth and defensive aggression will pay off in a minor upset on Saturday. Their pass rushers will flourish for the same reason Thiago Silva will flourish in next Saturday’s UFC 102 fight card – constant, smothering pressure.

Best betting management pick: Saints +3