Now that the preseason is really underway, we can start looking at the next week of betting picks. The second preseason game is normally when the rookies get a long look from the coaching staffs, and everyone still has some sort of chance to make the team. There are a few teams that need to look at prospects in important positions, and there are other teams that are ready now to start seeing their NFL point spread picks for the regular season.

Aug 19 => Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills (- 3 1/2) (in Toronto)

As further proof that the second and third weeks are set aside for rookie evaluation the NFL Las Vegas picks experts actually made the Buffalo Bills the favorite in this game against the Colts.

The Bills are already falling apart with starting running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson out for four to six weeks each with injuries. Now it comes out that rookie defensive back sensation Jarius Byrd has groin problems that may put him out for large chunk of the season. It will be a long year in Buffalo, NY.

Pick: Indianapolis Colts 21-10

Aug 19 => New England Patriots @ Atlanta Falcons (-2 1/2)

This game will show the problems that the Patriots will have with depth this season. The problems will be especially evident on defense where the Patriots are struggling to find adequate starters, much less put together a depth chart that will hold together for the regular season and the playoffs.

The Falcons just keep rolling along and get to show off their roster depth on offense and defense.

Pick: Atlanta Falcons 27-13

Aug 20 => Philadelphia Eagles @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

The Eagles are better than everyone thought they would be since the departure of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Kevin Kolb was decisive and cool under pressure, and every one of the Eagles receivers is legitimately fighting for a job on the team.

The rumblings could already be starting in Cincinnati as Terrell Owens is getting the majority of the first-team passes thrown his way while Chad Ochocinco is getting left out in the cold. The Bengals are also showing some surprising depth at tight end, which is always a welcome thing for an NFL quarterback.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals 14-10

Aug 21 => Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Redskins (-3)

One of the best running back roster spot battles in the league is happening in Washington. Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker are all trying to make it very difficult on head coach Mike Shanahan to pick a starter. Shanahan is famous for his ability to use adequate running backs in a successful scheme, so his opportunity to put two quality running backs in his offense has to be a joy for him.

The Ravens are still trying to figure out how to replace the injured Ed Reed on defense. That, and the Ravens had some problems putting pressure on the quarterback in their first preseason game.

Pick: Washington Redskins 21-10

Aug 21 => Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) @ New York Giants

Giants fans can probably expect to not see quarterback Eli Manning the rest of the preseason. The head injury he suffered against the Jets should sideline him until opening week.

Big Ben will play for the Steelers in this game, and give Steeler fans a teaser on what they will be missing out on the first six games of the season when Ben is sitting at home because he could not behave himself.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 35-13

Aug 21 =>  Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)

The Jaguars need to find some answers in this game because Maurice Jones-Drew cannot be 100% of the offense when the season starts.

The Dolphins continue their trek through Florida after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their opening preseason game last week. All looks well in Miami, and the back-ups should put on quite a show.

Pick: Miami Dolphins 17-3

Aug 21 => Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2)

The Chiefs still have a horrible offensive line. But now they have an all-pro running back to go along with their potential all-pro quarterback that cannot be protected by their horrible offensive line. On defense the Chiefs are just as bad as they are on offense.

There seems to be a glimmer of hope in Tampa. The defense looked good last week in their first preseason game against Miami, and the offense has some interesting pieces to it.

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-14

Aug 21 => St. Louis Rams @ Cleveland Browns (-3)

The Browns spent their offseason addressing several areas of need and have now developed some depth to their roster. The Rams got Sam Bradford. It will be a very long year for the St. Louis rookie quarterback.

Pick: Cleveland Browns 30-14

Aug 21 =>  Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints (-1)

If this were a regular season game then this would be a feature match-up of the week. But since this is a game being played in the second week of the preseason, it probably won't be nearly as exciting as it could be.

Pick: Houston Texans 21-13

Aug 21 => New York Jets (-1) @ Carolina Panthers

The Panthers just do not have anything left to offer this season. They have a rookie quarterback throwing to all-pro receiver Steve Smith, and the teeth of their pass rush were removed when Julius Peppers went to Chicago. The NFL football picks for the season in Carolina will not be going the Panthers' way.

Pick: New York Jets 20-9

Aug 21 => Oakland Raiders @ Chicago Bears (-1)

The Raider Nation will have to be just a little patient with quarterback Jason Campbell. He will get there, he just needs some time. The Raiders are not going from the basement to the penthouse in one season, head coach Tom Cable is just not organized enough to get that job done.

The Bears are hoping that Julius Peppers on defense and a more mature Jay Cutler on offense can help them compete in the NFC North this season.

Pick: Chicago Bears 30-21

Aug 21 => Dallas Cowboys @ San Diego Chargers (-3)

The Cowboys have worked so hard to bring depth to their roster that they kept forgetting to replace Flozell Adams on the offensive line. Tony Romo's blind spot is exposed, and the Cowboys need to fix that problem before the season starts.

The Chargers are a shell of what they used to be, but Philip Rivers has the tenacity to push the team to the playoffs. Unfortunately for NFL sports picks enthusiasts, Rivers will not be playing very much in this game.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys 20-10

Aug 21 => Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos (-3)

The Broncos have spent so much time convincing themselves that Tim Tebow is the next John Elway that they have neglected to address the loss of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Head coach Josh McDaniel has completely dismantled the Broncos, and the team he is putting together is not working out.

The Lions will be better than last season, but that is really not saying much.

Pick: Denver Broncos 35-13

Aug 21 => Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks (-1)

Mike Holgren has very little to do with the 2010 version of the Seattle Seahawks and nothing to do with the current incantation of the Green Bay Packers. So calling this the "Holgren Bowl" is about as inaccurate as you can get.

Even in a game that shows off roster depth, the Seahawks have no chance against the Packers.

Pick: Green Bay Packers 35-3

Aug 22 => Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers (-3 1/2)

It is unlikely that actual Vikings head coach Brett Favre will put himself in a preseason game against a defense like the one in San Francisco. But Favre's minions should be more than enough for the San Francisco defense and offense to handle.

Pick: Minnesota Brett Favres 21-10

Aug 23 => Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans (-3 1/2)

The Cardinals first preseason game against the Texans showed that Derek Anderson deserves the nod as the starting quarterback and not Matt Leinart. Whether the Cardinals will follow that or not remains to be seen.

The Tennessee first-string defense was surprisingly shaky against the Seahawks last week, and head coach Jeff Fisher will be keeping a close eye on his defensive team to see who stays, and who goes.

Pick: Tennessee Titans 12-10