Friday’s NFL preseason board offers three games with very different quarterback plans. New York visits Pittsburgh, Carolina travels to Jacksonville, and Green Bay closes the night in Denver. The market makes the Jets 1.5-point favorites, the Panthers one-point favorites, and the Broncos six-point favorites.
Preseason prices can move quickly once coaches confirm playing time. That makes Friday more about quarterback rotations and first-team snaps than regular-season power ratings. The official NFL preseason schedule confirms all three matchups for August 21.
Compare the latest NFL lines across top offshore sportsbooks to lock in the best market price before kickoff.
Friday Preseason Schedule
Friday’s preseason slate starts in Pittsburgh before moving to Jacksonville and Denver. Three games offer different quarterback rotations, starter plans and roster-evaluation angles.
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Venue | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:00 PM | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA | NFL Network |
| Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars | 7:30 PM | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL | ESPN Unlimited |
| Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos | 9:00 PM | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | NFL Network |
Jets vs Steelers Pick
New York will give Geno Smith his first preseason action after he missed the opener with ankle soreness. His return gives the Jets a veteran presence early, but Pittsburgh’s quarterback plan creates more betting value on the home underdog.
Mike McCarthy will sit Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. Will Howard starts, then rookie Drew Allar takes the remaining quarterback work. Howard completed 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards in Pittsburgh’s opener. Allar went 10 of 13 for 154 yards and produced three total touchdowns. Both young quarterbacks now get extended snaps against New York.
Jets vs Steelers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | -1.5 (-110) | -123 | Over 36.5 (-120) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +1.5 (-110) | +103 | Under 36.5 (+100) |
That continuity matters after starters leave. Smith may give New York the better opening series, yet Pittsburgh can maintain a competitive quarterback level deeper into the game.
NFL Best Bet: Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 (-110)
Panthers vs Jaguars Pick
Both coaching staffs plan to use starters, giving this matchup more regular-season flavor than many August games. Dave Canales said Carolina’s starters should play after receiving a heavy workload during the joint practice. Liam Coen expects Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville’s first unit to receive early snaps.
Carolina should give Bryce Young and its main offensive group another opportunity after an uneven opening performance. Jacksonville rested many starters in its previous game, so Lawrence’s presence raises the Jaguars’ early scoring floor.
Panthers vs Jaguars Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | -1 (-115) | -125 | Over 37.5 (-110) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +1 (-105) | +105 | Under 37.5 (-110) |
Jacksonville’s home field and plus-money price make the Jaguars attractive in a matchup the market views as close to even. Lawrence does not need to play deep into the game for his early possessions to create value.
NFL Best Bet: Jacksonville Jaguars Moneyline (+105)
Packers vs Broncos Pick
Denver is the largest favorite on Friday’s board. Bo Nix is expected to make his preseason debut, giving the Broncos a meaningful first-quarter advantage at home.
Green Bay’s starters are expected to receive limited work too, which makes laying six points less comfortable. Preseason spreads of this size place considerable responsibility on second- and third-string players after the starting quarterbacks leave.
Packers vs Broncos Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | +6 (-112) | +195 | Over 41 (-110) |
| Denver Broncos | -6 (-108) | -235 | Under 41 (-110) |
Denver may hold the stronger opening-unit advantage, but Green Bay receives enough points to survive an early Broncos lead. Once Nix exits, the six-point cushion becomes more valuable.
NFL Best Bet: Green Bay Packers +6 (-112)
Best Friday Betting Card
One preseason factor favors taking points rather than chasing favorites: second-half roster quality can erase first-half edges. Coaches use these games to evaluate offensive linemen, special-teamers and defensive backs competing for spots. A favorite that leads by seven at halftime may finish with third-string protection and an inexperienced quarterback. That makes Pittsburgh and Green Bay appealing despite stronger opening units on the opposite side. Jacksonville is different, since the Jaguars are priced as the underdog even with Lawrence scheduled for early work. The best approach is to separate first-quarter expectations from game value and avoid assuming the starters decide all four quarters.
Pittsburgh offers the best quarterback-depth angle. Jacksonville offers the cleaner plus-money position with Lawrence scheduled to play. Green Bay gets enough points to survive Denver’s stronger first-team opening.
The totals are less attractive. Jets-Steelers at 36.5 is low enough that one short field can change the profile. Panthers-Jaguars at 37.5 carries more scoring upside with both starting units active. Packers-Broncos at 41 asks more from reserve offenses after the starters exit.
NFL Official Picks
- Steelers +1.5
- Jaguars Moneyline
- Packers +6
