NFL Preseason Expert Picks for August 21, 2026: Friday Night Lights
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Fri Aug 21, 2026, 4:30 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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We've got preseason football back on the docket with three more matchups on a Friday night. The NFL is so close to being back and these preseason games have given us just a glimpse of what's to come this year.
Week 1 of the preseason was kind to us, but remember to manage your units and remember these are half my usual unit. We're not here to donate before the season even starts. Let's jump into it.
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NFL Preseason Best Bets
Panthers vs. Jaguars o37.5 (-102) | Lucky Rebel
The Carolina Panthers haven't played a game since the Hall of Fame Game and they've had plenty of time to rest and tonight they roll into Jacksonville for their second preseason game of the year.
That being the case, the Panthers will have their first-team offense out there for at least 15-20 snaps. Head Coach Dave Canales has confirmed Bryce Young will start under center and with this receiving group being so young, I'm sure we'll see some extended snaps there.
The Jaguars are the bigger question mark tonight. Head Coach Liam Coen looked like he would have his first team offense out there, but reports have now indicated towards a bit of a shift. That being said, I didn't expect the Jaguars first team out there for long, either way.
Coen is a great offensive mind and even without his starters, I wouldn't be surprised to see him experimenting a little with this offense to see what they can do. The Jags scored 24 points in their preseason opener and we saw the Panthers second team give up 30 points to the Cardinals.
Last week we rode all three unders, this week we're sneaking in an over.
Packers vs. Broncos u41.5 (-120) | Lucky Rebel
In a preseason matchup designed to give me PTSD, the Green Bay Packers are back in the Mile High City. The Denver Broncos looked great in their first preseason game and tonight they get their stud QB back under center.
Bo Nix is back on the field after a broken ankle in their Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills last year. I know the young QB's itching to get back out there, but I'm skeptical as to how much we'll actually see him play tonight.
Reports have indicted he'll play 14-16 snaps, but Head Coach Sean Payton hasn't made any official announcement. The Broncos will have starters out there for at least the first drive, but I'd imagine this game is being used to evaluate some of the team's depth on defense.
For the Packers, we'll see starters for both the offense and defense. Snap counts haven't really been reported but this will be the Packers' final preseason game for their starters.
With the altitude of Denver, the guys on this defense and the season less than three weeks away; I just don't see either side getting a chance to put up a lot of points. The Packers scored just 9-points in their preseason opener against the Steelers and now face a much better defense in the Broncos.
Jets vs. Steelers u37.5 (-110) | Lucky Rebel
Aaron Rodgers won't play tonight against his former team and that's a shame. Rodgers is obviously too old to be playing in preseason games but after the way his time ended in New York, it would've been fun.
That being said, Head Coach Aaron Glenn has made it clear; the Jets will have their starters out there. Breece Hall is out with a groin injury but other than him, the Jets will have their first-team offense and defense out to start the game.
This will be Geno Smith's preseason debut and I wouldn't be surprised to see Glenn give him some extended time on the field. This still feels like a game that goes under the total because of too inefficient offenses going head to head.
New York scored just 16 points in their first preseason game and that was at home, against the Buccaneers. Tonight the Jets go on the road to Pittsburgh and take on a defense that held the Packers to just 9 total points last week.
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