NFL Betting News and Notes Friday, August 26th, 2016

Friday's NFL Week 3 Preseason Betting Preview
By Covers.com

New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers (-3.5, 44.5)

Tom Brady is apparently recovered from "scissorgate" and is available to play Friday night. As usual, we aren't hearing much out of Patriots camp - but I think it's safe to expect Brady to get some time with the first offensive unit and Jimmy Garoppolo to also get some time with the starters. The order they play in doesn't really matter but expect Brady for one quarter and Garoppolo for two quarters. The Patriots also learned this week that they will be without RB Dion Lewis for another 8-10 weeks after experiencing a setback with his knee. LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden and Tyler Gaffney will all be called upon to fill the void. Tight end Rob Gronkowski returned to practice this week and should be available to play Friday night.

This is the third straight year that the Panthers and Patriots have met during "dress rehearsal" week. Carolina has lost, and failed to cover the spread in, each of the past two preseason meetings but head coach Ron Rivera said the plan will be the same this time around. The plan is to play the starters for the entire first half, practice making halftime adjustments, and play one or two possessions into the third quarter before handing the ball to the backups. Tight End Greg Olsen will likely be held out after missing a week of practices with back spasms - he is back to practicing now but has been held out of contact drills.

Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins (-2.5, 43)

Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins will make his preseason debut, Friday against Washington. Watkins is finally healthy and has been ramping up to his return, five months removed from surgery on his foot and head coach Rex Ryan believes the former first round pick is ready to go. Watkins won't see as much time as other starters, but both Ryan and quarterback Tyrod Taylor wanted to get Watkins some real game exposure before the season in order to build some more chemistry between the receiver and his quarterback.

Washington will be without their top two running backs Friday, when they welcome the Buffalo Bills to town. Matt Jones is out with an AC injury to his shoulder and Chris Thompson is being held out for what is being called "precautionary reasons." That means rookies Robert Kelley and Keith Marshall will be seeing the majority of the action with the first team. Both have shown a lot of promise in camp, according to head coach Jay Gruden and while it's an opportunity to show what they can do, it also means they go up a first team defense for the first time and it's a good one at that.

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Bucaneers (-3.5, 42)

Cleveland's starting offense (Robert Griffin III, Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Gary Barnidge and Duke Johnson) will all play together in a game for the first time Friday night against the Bucs. They're excited, and there is plenty of raw talent there, but do you think the fact that Sports Illustrated has picked them to win only one game this season will be on their minds - ONE GAME! Cornerback Joe Haden looks to be rounding into form nicely after offseason ankle surgery. Haden picked off Bucs' quarterback Jameis Winston twice during joint practices this week and he's looking forward to Friday's game.

Tampa Bay will focus on getting off to a quick start Friday night. They have really struggled, both last season and in their first two preseason games, in the opening quarter and will focus on not being behind early against the Browns. The Bucs have indicated that their starting units will play "into the second half" and the majority of them will not play at all during preseason Week 4. This one will be televised nationally on CBS - never thought I'd see a Browns at Bucaneers game being blasted nationally - preseason or otherwise.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints (-1.5, 45)

If you want to watch Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell in NFL action any time soon, you should probably tune into the game Friday night. Even so, the expectation is Bell won't get more than a few carries to show coaches and fans he is healthy. Additionally, both Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown should take their first snaps of the preseason. Head coach Mike Tomlin said all healthy players will play in "some form or fashion" against the Saints. Tomlin has been cryptic about how much they will play, so don't expect more than a few series for his big stars this week.

The Saints offensive starters will play a "good half" of Friday's night game, according to head coach Sean Payton, who said he wants to see more from his first team offense. "I want to see our first offense be better," Payton told reporters said Wednesday. "I want to see us play better in the front, and I want to see us run the ball better. The third down numbers have been solid, but I would say that's important."

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (-1, 46.5)

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers will see his first, and only, preseason game action Friday night. Rodgers hasn't been told how long he will play but he did indicate that he will not be playing in preseason Week 4. In Green Bay's first two preseason games the running game was dominant with a lighter, better Eddie Lacy leading the charge. It'll be interesting to see if this is a change in offensive identity for the pass-happy Packers, or if things will get back to the air with Rodgers back on the field.

The battle for the No. 1 quarterback job in San Francisco has been a hot topic for the last few months and it officially comes to a head Friday night. Blaine Gabbert has been handling the starting job for most practices and the first two preseason games - but that was with Colin Kaepernick sidelined with shoulder "fatigue". Well, Kaep is back and the duo split reps with the first team at practice this week. Head coach Chip Kelly is never one to discuss his game plan in advance but I think everyone is expecting an even split of playing time against the Packers.