ES
NFL Predictions 
MLB Predictions 
NBA Predictions 
NHL Predictions 
Soccer Predictions 
NFL Preseason Week 2 Results for 2026 reinforced the strongest exhibition betting trend of the summer. Using the representative postgame lines in this recap, underdogs finished 12-4 against the spread and won 10 of the 16 games outright from Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23.
The totals market changed significantly from the opening week. After unders finished 12-4 in our NFL Preseason Week 1 results recap, Week 2 totals split evenly at 8-8. The 16 games averaged 37.2 combined points against an average listed total of approximately 37.4.
The Los Angeles Rams produced the largest victory by shutting out New Orleans 34-0 as an underdog. San Francisco’s 41-17 win over the Chargers generated the highest-scoring game, while Baltimore’s 13-3 victory over Minnesota produced the lowest total. This recap includes every final score, spread result, totals outcome and the most important betting lessons from the completed slate.
Quick NFL Preseason Week 2 Betting Recap
- Underdogs against the spread: 12-4 on the representative lines used in this recap.
- Underdogs straight up: 10-6.
- Totals results: Overs and unders split 8-8.
- Average combined score: 37.2 points.
- Largest winning margin: Los Angeles Rams 34, New Orleans Saints 0.
- Highest-scoring game: San Francisco 49ers 41, Los Angeles Chargers 17.
- Lowest-scoring game: Baltimore Ravens 13, Minnesota Vikings 3.
- Largest listed underdog to win: Green Bay defeated Denver 33-13 while receiving six points.
2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 Results
The complete 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 schedule contained 16 games over four days. Final scores, game replays and highlights remain available through the official NFL Preseason Week 2 schedule.
Thursday, August 20 Results
| Final Score | Spread Result | Total Result |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders 22, Houston Texans 20 | Las Vegas +1.5 Covered | Over 38.5 |
| San Francisco 49ers 41, Los Angeles Chargers 17 | San Francisco -1.5 Covered | Over 38.5 |
Thursday produced two overs and one cover for each side of the favorite-underdog divide. Las Vegas won by two as a short underdog, while San Francisco became one of only four favorites to cover during the entire week.
The 49ers and Chargers combined for 58 points, more than any other Week 2 matchup. San Francisco cleared the listed total without requiring a close fourth-quarter finish, winning by 24 points after entering as only a slight favorite.
Friday, August 21 Results
| Final Score | Spread Result | Total Result |
|---|---|---|
| New York Jets 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 0 | New York -1.5 Covered | Under 37.5 |
| Carolina Panthers 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 | Carolina +1.5 Covered | Over 37.5 |
| Green Bay Packers 33, Denver Broncos 13 | Green Bay +6 Covered | Over 41.5 |
Friday belonged to underdogs. Carolina and Green Bay both won outright, while the Packers produced the most significant upset relative to the listed spread. Denver was favored by six points but lost by 20.
The Jets were the only Friday favorite to cover. New York also delivered one of two shutouts during Week 2, holding Pittsburgh scoreless and sending the game under the total by more than 20 points.
Saturday, August 22 Results
| Final Score | Spread Result | Total Result |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions 17, Washington Commanders 13 | Detroit -1.5 Covered | Under 36.5 |
| Buffalo Bills 31, Cleveland Browns 7 | Buffalo +3 Covered | Over 36.5 |
| Atlanta Falcons 34, Indianapolis Colts 6 | Atlanta +3.5 Covered | Over 36.5 |
| Baltimore Ravens 13, Minnesota Vikings 3 | Baltimore +3.5 Covered | Under 36.5 |
| Los Angeles Rams 34, New Orleans Saints 0 | Los Angeles +1.5 Covered | Under 37.5 |
| New York Giants 26, Miami Dolphins 3 | New York -3 Covered | Under 36.5 |
| Cincinnati Bengals 27, Chicago Bears 9 | Cincinnati +1.5 Covered | Under 36.5 |
| New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21 | New England +1.5 Covered | Over 36.5 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Kansas City Chiefs 15 | Kansas City +5.5 Covered | Under 37.5 |
| Dallas Cowboys 34, Arizona Cardinals 13 | Dallas +1.5 Covered | Over 37.5 |
Saturday produced the strongest underdog results of the week. Seven underdogs won outright, and eight of the 10 teams receiving points covered the representative spread.
Los Angeles, Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas and the New York Giants all won by at least 21 points. Four of those five teams entered as underdogs, illustrating how quickly a preseason matchup can separate once reserve quarterbacks and depth players take control.
Kansas City provided a different type of underdog result. The Chiefs lost 16-15 but covered +5.5 comfortably. Tampa Bay bettors selected the correct winner and still lost their spread wager because the favorite failed to create the required margin.
Sunday, August 23 Result
| Final Score | Spread Result | Total Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Titans 19, Seattle Seahawks 16 | Seattle +4.5 Covered | Under 37.5 |
Tennessee closed the week with a three-point victory but failed to cover as a 4.5-point favorite. Seattle backers cashed despite selecting the losing team, while the 35 combined points kept the game under 37.5.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Betting Trends
The main NFL Preseason Week 2 betting trend was the continued dominance of underdogs. Totals normalized after the under-heavy opening week, but favorites remained consistently overpriced once reserve players controlled most of the game.
| Betting Trend | Week 2 Result | Main Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Underdogs ATS | 12-4 | Teams receiving points remained undervalued |
| Underdogs Straight Up | 10-6 | Most covers did not require the points |
| Favorites ATS | 4-12 | Regular-season reputation remained unreliable |
| Favorites of -3 or Higher ATS | 1-6 | Larger preseason spreads carried added risk |
| Overs and Unders | 8-8 | Totals corrected after Week 1 |
Underdogs Finished 12-4 Against the Spread
Only San Francisco, the New York Jets, Detroit and the New York Giants covered as favorites on the representative lines. The other 12 games went to the underdog against the spread.
Ten underdogs did not need the points because they won outright. Carolina, Green Bay, Buffalo, Atlanta, Baltimore, the Rams, Cincinnati, New England and Dallas joined Las Vegas in defeating the listed favorite.
The results do not mean every preseason underdog automatically offers value. They show that the market continued to assign too much importance to regular-season roster strength and too little importance to quarterback rotation, coaching intent and reserve depth.
Larger Favorites Produced Only One Cover
Favorites laying at least three points produced only one cover on the listed numbers. The New York Giants covered -3 by defeating Miami 26-3, but Denver, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Tennessee all failed to cover larger spreads.
Four of those teams won the game or remained competitive, which demonstrates the difference between identifying the likely winner and finding a playable spread. Tampa Bay and Tennessee both won but failed to cover. Denver, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Minnesota lost outright.
Preseason favorites become especially risky when the market increases a spread because one team plans to use its starters longer. A brief advantage during the first quarter may not justify laying four, five or six points across a game that will be decided mostly by reserves.
Totals Finished 8-8
Week 2 produced a balanced totals result after the Week 1 under trend attracted additional attention. The games averaged 37.2 combined points, only about one-quarter of a point below the average listed total of 37.4.
The distribution remained volatile. San Francisco and the Chargers combined for 58 points, while Baltimore and Minnesota produced only 16. Two games were shutouts, but eight matchups still cleared their listed total.
The correction shows why bettors should not blindly follow the previous week’s outcome. Sportsbooks can lower totals, teams can extend the playing time of experienced quarterbacks and defensive depth can vary significantly from one matchup to another.
NFL Preseason Betting Trends Through Two Weeks
Underdogs have been the strongest broad betting angle through the first two full weeks of the 2026 preseason. On the representative lines used in these recaps, teams receiving points are 24-8 against the spread and 19-12-1 straight up.
| Period | Underdogs | Totals |
|---|---|---|
| Preseason Week 1 | 12-4 ATS, 9-6-1 SU | Unders 12-4 |
| Preseason Week 2 | 12-4 ATS, 10-6 SU | Overs and Unders 8-8 |
| Combined | 24-8 ATS, 19-12-1 SU | Unders 20-12 |
A 24-8 ATS record represents a 75 percent cover rate, but the market is unlikely to ignore that performance. Sportsbooks and bettors can adjust by shortening underdog prices, reducing favorite spreads or reacting more aggressively to reports about quarterback usage.
The useful conclusion is not that every remaining underdog deserves a wager. The stronger lesson is that preseason favorites require more matchup-specific evidence than their regular-season power rating. A superior starting lineup has limited value when it plays only a few possessions.
Biggest Week 2 Betting Results
Los Angeles Rams 34, New Orleans Saints 0
The Rams produced the most decisive Week 2 betting result. Los Angeles entered as a 1.5-point underdog and won by 34, generating the largest victory and widest spread cover of the slate.
The shutout also sent the game under 37.5 despite the Rams scoring 34 points. New Orleans needed only four points to push the matchup over, but the Saints failed to score on any possession.
This was the clearest example of preseason uncertainty overwhelming a short market number. The spread suggested an evenly matched game, but the difference between the reserve units produced a result that was never competitive.
Green Bay Packers 33, Denver Broncos 13
Green Bay delivered the largest upset based on the listed spread. The Packers received six points and defeated Denver by 20, creating a 26-point difference between the expected and actual margin.
Denver’s regular-season expectations and perceived roster strength helped create the largest favorite price of the week. Those factors became much less useful once the game depended on changing personnel groups and reserve execution.
The final score also cleared 41.5. Green Bay generated enough offense to reward both underdog and over bettors without requiring Denver to contribute heavily to the total.
Atlanta Falcons 34, Indianapolis Colts 6
Atlanta won by 28 after entering as a 3.5-point underdog. The Falcons covered by more than four touchdowns and helped send the game over 36.5 despite Indianapolis scoring only six points.
The result illustrates why preseason quarterback and depth evaluations matter more than the expected regular-season hierarchy. Indianapolis was favored but never came close to controlling the game or the spread.
San Francisco 49ers 41, Los Angeles Chargers 17
San Francisco produced the strongest favorite result and the highest-scoring game of Week 2. The 49ers covered -1.5 by more than three touchdowns, while the 58 combined points cleared the listed total by 19.5.
This matchup also shows why opposing every preseason favorite is not a sustainable strategy. San Francisco’s short spread required only a victory, and its reserve offense created enough separation to remove the late-game volatility that affects many exhibition wagers.
Tampa Bay and Tennessee Won Without Covering
Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City 16-15 but failed to cover -5.5. Tennessee beat Seattle 19-16 but failed to cover -4.5. Both favorites won outright while producing losing spread tickets.
These results reinforce the importance of choosing the correct market. A bettor confident only that Tampa Bay or Tennessee would win needed to consider the moneyline rather than requiring either team to create a larger margin.
They also demonstrate why every half-point matters. Kansas City and Seattle remained inside their numbers even though neither won the game, giving underdog bettors protection that moneyline wagers did not provide.
What Bettors Can Learn From NFL Preseason Week 2
The Week 2 results provide useful information about how preseason markets behave, but they should guide the handicapping process rather than become automatic betting systems.
- Regular-season power ratings have limited preseason value. Denver, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Minnesota were favored but lost decisively because the games were decided by different personnel than a regular-season matchup would feature.
- Larger favorites require stronger evidence. Only one favorite laying at least three points covered on the representative lines used in this recap.
- Underdog moneylines deserve consideration. Ten underdogs won outright, so taking the points captured only part of the available return.
- Quarterback rotation remains the most important variable. Bettors need to understand which quarterbacks will play, the order in which they will appear and how many possessions each is expected to receive.
- Totals require matchup-specific analysis. Week 1 unders went 12-4, but Week 2 totals finished 8-8 after the market and team usage changed.
- The spread can matter even when the favorite wins. Tampa Bay and Tennessee both won but failed to cover, while Kansas City and Seattle rewarded bettors who took the points.
- Line shopping protects the bettor. A four-point final margin can cover a short spread and fail against a larger number. Securing the best available price can determine whether the same team performance produces a win, push or loss.
Preseason markets often move quickly after coaches reveal playing-time plans. Bettors should verify the newest information before placing a wager rather than relying on a number that was available before a major quarterback announcement.
The ScoresAndStats Expert Betting Guide provides additional explanations of point spreads, moneylines, totals, line movement and responsible bankroll management.
What Comes After NFL Preseason Week 2?
NFL Preseason Week 2 is now a completed results page rather than an active prediction market. The final preseason slate runs from August 27 through August 29, giving teams one more opportunity to evaluate roster depth before the regular season.
Bettors should not automatically carry the 12-4 underdog record into the final week. Some teams will rest nearly every established starter, while others may give young quarterbacks or unsettled position groups meaningful playing time.
The updated NFL Preseason Week 3 odds and predictions page should be used for the newest matchups and market information. Current game analysis is also available through the latest NFL picks and previews.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Results FAQs
When was 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 played?
The 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 schedule was played from Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23. The slate contained 16 games involving all 32 NFL teams.
How did underdogs perform in NFL Preseason Week 2?
Underdogs finished 12-4 against the spread and 10-6 straight up using the representative market lines in this recap. Ten teams receiving points won their games outright.
How did NFL Preseason Week 2 totals perform?
Overs and unders finished 8-8. The 16 games averaged 37.2 combined points against an average listed total of approximately 37.4.
What was the biggest NFL Preseason Week 2 upset?
Green Bay produced the largest upset based on the listed spread. The Packers entered as six-point underdogs and defeated Denver 33-13.
Which team had the largest NFL Preseason Week 2 victory?
The Los Angeles Rams recorded the largest victory by shutting out the New Orleans Saints 34-0. Los Angeles entered as a short underdog and covered by more than five touchdowns.
