Saturday's NFL Week 2 preseason betting primer
Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers (Pick, 40)
* The Dolphins are expected to have a lot of youth in the secondary due to injuries this season. Currently, second-year player Walt Aikens and third-year player Jamar Taylor are expected to be starters in the defensive backfield. “If they felt Jamar was the guy to go and take over that job, they would’ve given it to him by now,” said former Dolphin Sam Madison. "“For them to keep pushing this battle, this long, I don’t think they’re really satisfied with whoever is going in right now to say ‘here, this job is yours’ and then everybody just falls in line.”
* Expect a lot of interchanging parts in the Panthers receiving core. With No.1 WR Kelvin Benjamin out for the season, two of the top four receivers on the Panthers depth chart are rookies with a third being a second year player.
Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5, 44.5)
* The Ravens' offensive line depth may be hurting Saturday with five of the 17 big men not practicing Friday. Two of those five, Kelechi Osemele and Rick Wagner are expected to be regular starters this season.
* There is a good chance that this game will be a messy affair, with a 75 percent chance of rain falling with the precipitation expected to start around halftime.
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (-3, 41)
* Jay Cutler managed to go through joint practices with the Colts without registering an interception, but the Bears receivers were outclassed by the Colts secondary with both Alshon Jeffey and Kevin White not practicing.
* If history is any indication, than Colts fans should not hold their breath for an appearance by Frank Gore Saturday. "I probably had about five carries in the last four years," Gore said. "Whatever the coaches say. If they want me to go and go out with the first group, I'm willing to go."
New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints (-1, 43)
* It seems that a receiver position has opened up for the Patriots with Bran Tyms going down to a foot injury this week. Tyms, who added value as a gunner on punt coverage teams due to his size and speed, will likely be replaced by Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce or Brandon Gibson.
* Left tackle Terron Armstead has been dominating training camp for the Saints. “I hate to lose. In anything, I hate to lose. So yeah, in the back of my mind I kind of keep the score,” Armstead said. According to his own score, Armstead has only lost twice this offseason which could mean big numbers for a protected Drew Brees.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants (-3, 40.5)
* Rookie running back T.J. Yeldon will be a gametime decision for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Literally.ESPN's Mike DiRocco has reported that head coach Gus Bradley won't make a decision "until just beofre kickoff". Yeldon injured his finger at a scrimmage on Aug. 9.
* Victor Cruz' comeback has hit a small bump in the road. The receiver has sat most of the week for the Giants after suffering a minor setback to his healing knee. Cruz will not be on the field for the Giants Saturday.
Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5, 39)
* Taiwan Jones is back on the offensive side of the ball and the Raiders staff seem to want to get the speedster the ball. “(Bill) Musgrave is really smart with how to do things, and I fit what he wants to do well,” Jones said. “I’m excited what he has planned for me. Remember, Musgrave oversaw Percy Harvin's biggest statistical year in Minnesota.
* With injuries all over the offensive line, the Vikings will be turning to a lot of young and unproven lineman Saturday. Rookie T.J. Clemmings and second-year player David Yankey are expected to be starting for Minny.
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans (-3, 41)
* The Broncos defense should be getting a boost with linebacker Brandon Marshall seeing his first action Saturday since foot surgery in March. Marshall was the leading tackler on the Broncos in 2014
* It does not seem the Texans are any closer to naming a starting quarterback. Ryan Mallett will get the official start Saturday, but Bill O'Brien has been non-committal to how many snaps Mallett of Brian Hoyer will see.
San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 39.5)
* Despite word from training camp suggesting that Melvin Gordon could play Saturday after suffering a minor ankle injury this week, do not expect to see the rookie suit up. Coach Mike McCoy said "We'll hold some guys out that normally would play."
* Left guard Mike Iupati is out for six-to-eight weeks for the Cardinals so expect competition on the line during the preseason. Ted Larsen likely has the inside track after starting at center for the Cards last season with the other left guards never playing a regular season down in the NFL.