The NFL's preseason comes to an end tonight, and some would say mercifully so. The games don't count and you never know who will play for how long. Yet there is money to be made by NFL bettors, so here is a breakdown of Friday night's two football games: Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET: If you read my article on Monday and bet on the Falcons to cover at home against the Bengals you were a winner, as Atlanta won the game 24-19. QB Joey Harrington was quite solid vs. Cincinnati, going 13-for-24 for 164 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. However, that was against a not-so-good Bengals defense. The Ravens, meanwhile, looked great in their preseason opener, a 29-3 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles, but have dropped their past two games and haven't scored more than 12 points in either. Baltimore did get some good news this week when Jonathan Ogden was activated off the PUP list and practiced on Tuesday. However, the team's best lineman won't play tonight, and neither will most of the team's defensive stars for more than a series or two. The Ravens are -3.5 on WagerWeb.com (over/under 34), but I again look for Atlanta to cover if not win outright. Harrington likely will play a decent amount again as he looks to get more familiar with Coach Bobby Petrino's offense, and Petrino likely will want many of his starters in the game with Harrington to get them acclimated to each other. That's enough for me to go with Atlanta.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-3), 7:30 p.m. ET: This could be an AFC Championship Game preview, but don't get too excited because both of these teams won't be playing their offensive stars much past the first series or two tonight. Even Colts QB Peyton Manning admits he is already looking ahead to the season opener with the New Orleans Saints: "Sure, I've been doing that for some time now. I always kind of do that, especially when you're playing an uncommon opponent in the season opener." The Bengals may have slight motivation to end their winless preseason, and they are at home. They will for sure be without safety Dexter Jackson (concussion), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (foot) and kicker Shayne Graham (hip pointer) tonight, if that means anything. Cincinnati is -5 in this matchup of powerful offenses, but the more telling number may be the over/under, which is 39.5. Even in a preseason game with the offensive starters sitting most of it, I like the over here. Bet on NFL at WagerWeb Sportsbook
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