Look at coaches, QB rotations when betting NFL preseason games

A common misconception is that betting on NFL preseason games is a total crapshoot and the exclusive domain of degenerate gamblers.

The truth is that professional sports bettors account for most of the exhibition action, which explains why the preseason limits at Las Vegas sportsbooks are one-tenth of what they are during the NFL regular season.

“More informed or sharper bettors bet the exhibitions. The masses don’t get involved,” said Caesars Sports vice president of trading Nick Bogdanovich, whose title recently changed from William Hill sportsbook director. “The sharps definitely control the market. They determine every price on every game.

“It’s all information. Who’s playing, who isn’t and who wants to win and who doesn’t. It’s that simple.”

Sharp bettors are banking on the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers to go under the total in the Hall of Fame Game, which kicks off the NFL preseason at 5 p.m. Thursday in Canton, Ohio. The total is 33 after opening at 34.

“These games are going to be run in the trenches and very conservative,” pro sports bettor Jeff Whitelaw said. “They’re not going to show too much of the playbook, which is why the totals are so much lower than the regular season.”

Covering coaches

Whitelaw said coaches are the most important factor to consider in handicapping preseason games.

Since 2005, the most successful coaches in the preseason against the spread, according to Bet Labs, are Brian Flores (Dolphins, 4-0), Jon Gruden (Raiders, 18-8-2), John Harbaugh (Ravens, 33-15-1), Mike Zimmer (Vikings, 17-8) and Pete Carroll (Seahawks, 25-14-1).

The Ravens are riding a 17-game preseason winning streak (15-1-1 ATS) under Harbaugh.

“John Harbaugh tries in the preseason, and that’s what you really need to look at,” Whitelaw said. “Because the coaches’ tendencies don’t change much from year to year. The coaches that try are going to continue to try, and the coaches that don’t care are going to continue to not care.”

The coaches with the worst preseason records ATS since 2005 are Mike Vrabel (Titans, 2-6), Andy Reid (Chiefs, 29-35-1) and Bill Belichick (Patriots, 28-32-4).

Quarterback rotations

Saints coach Sean Payton is on a 7-14 preseason slide. But that might end this season, as New Orleans searches for a successor to Drew Brees from a quarterback depth chart of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Ian Book and Trevor Siemian.

“Looking at the quarterback rotation is paramount, and information is paramount,” Red Rock Resort sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “Most teams will publicly say or post what the quarterback rotation is.”

It generally pays to play teams with quarterback competitions or a solid depth chart.

Whitelaw likes Chicago’s rotation of Andy Dalton, Justin Fields and Nick Foles.

“Between Dalton and Foles, you basically have two starting quarterbacks,” he said. “And the rookie (Fields) can play and will be fighting for a job.

“The ideal scenario is when you have two decent quarterbacks and a coach that likes to win.”

Rookie coaches

There are seven first-year coaches who certainly want to start strong in Urban Meyer (Jaguars), Brandon Staley (Chargers), Arthur Smith (Falcons), Nick Sirianni (Eagles), Dan Campbell (Lions), David Culley (Texans) and Robert Saleh (Jets).

Jacksonville might be worth a bet with Meyer and quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Gardner Minshew.

“I was looking at playing Urban Meyer,” Whitelaw said. “You want to teach the kid the system, and if he’s learning well, you may want to play him a little longer just to give him the experience and learn the playbook.”

Siding with Steelers

Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Dallas’ Dak Prescott will sit out Thursday’s game. Whitelaw bet on the Steelers, who are 2-point favorites after the line opened at -1 and will rely on Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Josh Dobbs under center.

The Cowboys will be led by quarterbacks Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci and Cooper Rush.

“Dallas, historically, just doesn’t care in the preseason,” Whitelaw said. “Pittsburgh has a little bit deeper team.”

Key numbers

When it comes to the line, the numbers one and two are more important in the preseason than the regular season because teams will go for the win at the end of regulation rather than play for overtime.

“If a team is down seven and is going to score, they’re not going to kick the extra point. They’re going to go for two,” Whitelaw said. “That brings the one into play. If they make the two, then they’re up one and now the other team might kick a field goal. A lot of games fall on one and two.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.