NFL Preseason Expert Picks for August 22, 2026: Saturday Preseason Week 2
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sat Aug 22, 2026, 11:45 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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The NFL Preseason is in full swing with a total of 10 matchups on Saturday for our viewing pleasure, and even one more on Sunday. Our experts dug into the slate and found three picks worth wagering on to keep us entertained on the gridiron all day long. Keep reading for our best bets below, as we need a bounce back day after not winning on Thursday Night.
NFL Preseason: Saturday's Predictions August 22
Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings NFL Picks
The Vikings host the Ravens today in their first preseason matchup at home this year
Best Bet: Vikings -3 (-109) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Minnesota Viking, despite missing the playoffs last season, have now won six straight contests. Sure, that stat could be perceived as meaningless, the point is, there might be some positive mojo in this locker room, and the vibes are high going into this season. Defensively, the Vikings are one of the best in the league, and as Jesse Minter instills a new offense with the Ravens, I could see them struggling. We cashed with the Vikings outright last week, and with Baltimore on the spread, even if we could've bet them outright.
Tonight we will back the hosts with some push potential laying the flat field goal. I'm just sort of leaning in with the hosts in front of their fans for the first time this year, while the Ravens are traveling. Give me Minnesota laying the three points.
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL Picks
Joe Burrow and the Bengals starters should play at least a couple of drives on Saturday
Best Bet: Bears/Bengals Over 36.5 (-117) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
We don't need very may points from these teams, and we should see more starters than last week. Joe Burrow and company went just one series last week, but Zac Taylor should let them go a little longer, giving us more offensive power. Sure, the Bengals were only good for a single touchdown led by Joe Flacco last week, but the Bears scored 34 on their own without any starters. They probably won't let any go this week either, but that means Burrow and the Bengals top offense face the Bears defensive reserves, plus I don't have much faith in Cincinnati's defense to slow down Chicago.
Give me points from both sides, and I encourage you to take the full game as opposed to the first half line.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Picks
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs at home tonight
Best Bet: Chiefs/Buccaneers Over 37 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Yes, I'm going back to a game involving my own Chiefs, but let's be honest. You gotta believe I am extremely tapped into this team compared to others. Regardless, in this matchup we are going to get some Buccaneer's starters. Todd Bowles indicated he wants them to get reps, so be prepared to at least get a drive (maybe two) from Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, Chris Godwin and the offensive line.
However, for the Chiefs, of course there won't be any Patrick Mahomes. But Justin Fields has plenty of NFL experience, and he should be behind the top offensive line for a little bit. I trust both teams to put up some points with the cool evening in Tampa tonight.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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