Pro football bettors are chomping at the bit to get some real NFL betting underway and week 3 of the preseason usually offers the closest thing to a real game that we get for 2 weeks. One game on the radar for the August 24th NFL free pick is the Washington Redskins hosting the Denver Broncos. Both teams will be playing their starters well into the 3rd quarter tonight and the Broncos aim to be much improved from last year’s 5-11 season. Even so, Washington is favored (WAS -3) but are the ‘Skins overmatched tonight?
The Broncos Have Been Putting Up the Points This Preseason
On paper Denver is 0-2 to start the preseason but in reality they haven’t played that bad – offensively at least. The Broncos are averaging 25.5 ppg through two games and may have found a diamond in the rough at RB through the draft. Royce Freeman out of Oregon has rushed 10 times for 58 yards and 2 TD through two weeks of exhibition. The Broncos might need a running game in the August 24th NFL free pick since offseason QB signing Case Keenum has gone just 9/17 for 83 yards so far. Believe it or not, Chad Kelly is making a cause for the starting job as he’s gone 21/30 for 267 yards and 3TD to 1 INT this offseason. Even Paxton Lynch in some garbage time tonight makes Denver more appealing considering he was a 1st round pick last year – if he plays..
The Broncos defense is suddenly where the concern lies ahead of the 2018 season opener. The Broncos allowed 42 points to the Vikings in the week 1 exhibition game and 24 last week to Chicago. Denver’s secondary gave up 273 yards in the air to the underwhelming Bears passing attack last week but also allowed 147 to the Vikings on the ground in their first preseason game. Does the O/U of 43 seem low or high for this contest considering?
Can the Washington Offense Find Their Way With More Opportunities?
The Redskins are 1-1 in the preseason but their offense has been underwhelming to say the least. Washington is averaging 16 ppg through two weeks of the exhibition and prized offseason signee Alex Smith has thrown just 6 passes so far in two weeks. Maybe the lack of Smith’s playing time is why the Redskins have struggled to put points on the board? Then again, Colt McCoy has had a great camp and has solidified the #2 role going 25/34 for 339 yards and 2TD/1 INT this exhibition. Kapri Bibbs has been a star of the preseason for the Washington offense as he ran for 48 yards against New England and caught 7 passes last week against the Jets. Something to consider for a late game ‘Skins comeback.
As mediocre as the Redskins offense has looked so far in the preseason, their defense could be a major factor in taking Washington at -3 in the August 24th NFL free pick. Washington has allowed just 39 points in two games and are giving up just 165 yards per game in the air over that span. The Jets had just 234 total yards in last week’s Redskins win – but then again they are the Jets.
August 24th NFL Free Pick Betting
The ‘under’ 43 looks really good in this game considering both starting QB’s have had limited experience so far in the preseason. As far as the side goes, you have to give Denver the benefit of the doubt getting points tonight. The Broncos have 3 solid signal callers and a defense that wants to buckle down before the season opener considering all the criticism they’ve received in the last 2 weeks.
Free NFL Pick: Denver Broncos +3
