This is it. After Sunday, the preseason will be over and the games start to count for real.
But just because we're set to wrap up the exhibition season doesn't mean there isn't a lot at stake in these contests. This will be the final action prior to the major cutdown - from 80 rostered players to 53.
Many teams will hold out starters, but some clubs are planning to give their first-teamers extensive work. Here's what's at stake -- and what you should be watching for - during the third and final week of the 2022 NFL preseason.
Let's take a look at Friday's preseason card...
Buffalo at Carolina
PANTHERS: By now, you know the big news: Baker Mayfield is starting Week 1 against his old Browns team. Funny how that worked out. Perhaps more surprising is that he'll also start Friday against the Bills, but we must remember: Mayfield has been a Panther fewer than 50 days. He threw seven passes the first preseason game and zero the next. Sixteen days from Friday is the Cleveland game. Mayfield needs the reps and he needs them with the first-team offense in a game setting. Arguably no starting quarterback needs game action this week more than the former No. 1 overall pick.
BILLS: Most of the Bills' starting jobs are sealed up now that they've gone down to one punter on the roster. But there's a higher-leverage position - and a potential starting spot - very much in play. If Tre'Davious White can't go Week 1, it appears Dane Jackson will be one starting outside corner; the other job would be up for grabs. Right now, it's down to first-rounder Kaiir Elam and sixth-rounder Christian Benford. Elam initially appeared to have an inside track at this spot, given his draft pedigree, but Benford has been one of the pleasant summer surprises in Buffalo. Just like last week, both Elam and Benford could be on the field a lot together on the outside. And the better man could start Week 1 versus the defending champion Rams.
Dallas at Seattle
COWBOYS: KaVonte Turpin is one of the best stories of the preseason. The journeyman has a unique CV, almost certainly the only man alive to have played for the FCF Glacier Boyz, Panthers Wrocaw (of the European League of Football) and New Jersey Generals. Oh, yes, and the Dallas Cowboys. Turpin, the USFL MVP, also almost certainly locked up a roster spot with his two return TDs last week, adding a 7-yard run for good measure. Get to know him now. But we'd like to see what Turpin can do at receiver against Seattle. Let's hope they give him more run on Friday than the four offensive snaps he had versus the Chargers.
SEAHAWKS: Well, here we go again? Drew Lock has played one half of preseason football in 2022, so if he has any designs on starting Week 1 against Denver, one might reasonably assume that he'll need to play quite well on Friday. Or did Lock missing last week's game with COVID already hand the job to Geno Smith (who, uh, struggled against the Bears)? Pete Carroll announced on Wednesday that Smith will start the preseason finale, but Lock will play most of the game. This is one of the odder QB battles in recent memory. Something strange happening in this game is a mortal lock.
Bills vs. Panthers Betting Trends
Bills are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings
Bills are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall
Panthers are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 home games
Bills vs. Panthers Prediction:
This is a lot of points to lay in a preseason game – especially a preseason finale where there is sure to be a ton of backups in the second half. Players are fighting for the last few spots on respective rosters and like most preseason games, this one is sure to be sloppy late. Given the unpredictability of exhibition games, I’ll take the points and Buffalo. Buff +6.5 /A.Rome
Seahawks vs. Cowboys Betting Trends
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Dallas
Underdog is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings
Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings
Seahawks vs. Cowboys Prediction:
If the preseason is any indication, life without Russell Wilson is going to be a rough transition for Seattle. The Seahawks dropped their preseason opener 32-25 to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, then looked lifeless in their second game – a 27-11 home loss to the Bears as a 3.5-point favorite. And now we’re supposed to lay 7 points tonight with the Seahawks? Why, because Lock figures to play most of the game and is a former starter with the Broncos? No thanks. Give me Dallas. DALL +7 /A.Rome
Chargers at Saints Betting Trends
Over is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings
Over is 6-0 in Chargers last 6 games overall
Under is 4-0 in Saints last 4 home games
Chargers at Saints Prediction:
These teams couldn’t have played more polar opposite preseasons from a scoring standpoint, as the Saints have done next to nothing offensively in exhibition play, while the Bolts haven’t played much defense. Given that this is the final preseason game for both teams and thus, a lot of backups figure to see time in the second half, I envision tonight turning into a sloppy, slow-paced, low-scoring game for much of the 60 minutes of play. UN 36.5 /A.Rome
Patriots at Raiders Betting Trends
Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings
Patriots are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings
Favorite is 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings
Patriots at Raiders Prediction:
Hey, might as well stay with the hot hand, right? The Raiders are unbeaten in preseason play at 3-0, playing one more game than most because of their Hall of Fame matchup against the Jaguars, and using this time to establish a new culture under Josh McDaniels. The Patriots, meanwhile, are 1-1 but have potential issues brewing on offense because of the departure of McDaniels. With New England having a ton of things to iron out before its regular season debut, I’m going to back the home team tonight in Vegas. LV -1.5 /A.Rome
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