NFL Preseason Expert Picks for August 20, 2026: Two Thursday Night Football Matchups
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Aug 20, 2026, 2:15 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
nfl
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+0.0
-110
38
+100u
-115
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+1.5
-110
37.5
-110o
+100
Week 2 of the NFL Preseason beings tonight with two matchups for some Thursday Night Football action. So far this preseason, we have gone 4-3 for a small profit on half unit wagers, and it really should be 4-2-1 if we were a bit smarter. Our NFL Experts dove into both contests tonight, as the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Houston Texans in the Lone Star State, and the Los Angeles Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi. Check out their picks below, and let's see if we can find a third straight profitable day in the NFL preseason!
NFL Preseason: Thursday's Predictions August 20
CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans host the Las Vegas Raiders tonight in Week 2 of the NFL Preseason
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans NFL Picks
Best Bet: Las Vegas/Houston Under 38.5 (-105) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Houston Texans host the Las Vegas Raiders tonight for their second game at their newly named "Reliant Stadium". Jayden Higgins went down with an ACL injury in practice this week, so DeMeco Ryans may have been scared out of playing his starters. At least on the defensive side of things. However, he has indicated that CJ Stroud, Woody Marks, and the starting offensive linemen should get a few reps. But don't expect any other skill players other than those fighting for a roster spot. Plus, those top guys shouldn't be out there very long.
For the Raiders, I would still expect plenty of Fernando Mendoza and Aiden O'Connell, with Kirk Cousins likely only going a drive or two tops. Ashton Jeanty might see 6-8 carries but not much more. I have very little faith in the Raiders scoring many points, even against the Texan's defensive backups. There are still dawgs that will be out there playing for a spot on the roster, and I think they'll show out. As for Houston, Davis Mills scored only one touchdown last week, and new signing Brett Rypien will run most of the offense.
Again, we saw just three total touchdowns from these teams last week. I'm not sure why we would expect any more tonight. Sorry, fans.
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers take on the San Francisco 49ers at home tonight
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers NFL Picks
Best Bet: Los Angeles Chargers ML (-106) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Justin Herbert and most of the Chargers' starters will play "a series" on Thursday according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, that is likely it. Trey Lance should play play most of the game, along with some DJ Uiagalelei and the other backups and third stringers. It sounds like San Francisco will use a similar game plan, as Kyle Shanahan told reporters that "a number" of starters will see the field. And "there's a good chance" quarterback Brock Purdy is included.
Regardless, Mac Jones won't last long after Purdy, so we should get plenty of Adrian Martinez and Kurtis Rourke alongside whomever the 49ers can field at this point. Lance is facing the team that drafted him third overall in 2021 then traded him for a fourth round pick only two years later. That might light a fire underneath him to perform at his best tonight.
I don't see Shanahan using this away game as anything more than letting his top guys get a few in-game reps, while his backups try to stay healthy. This should lead to the 49ers being a little less aggressive on the road, all the more reason for the hosts to give it their all and win in front of their home fans (if those exist in LA).
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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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