Alright, so preseason Week 2 is already hitting us with some wild storylines, and the biggest one just dropped with a bang on Friday, August 21st. Pittsburgh’s rookie QB Drew Allar just absolutely went off, putting up 153 yards and two touchdowns on 10 of 13 passing in a dominant 28-9 win against the Green Bay Packers. Seriously, this kid’s making waves, and the experts are taking notice big time.
Allar’s Explosive Performance Shakes Up Preseason Expectations
The buzz around Allar is no joke, especially when you consider what SportsLine’s Matt Severance is saying. This dude, a high-volume handicapper who’s been in the game since 2005 and boasts a killer track record, pulling in $1,437 for $100 players over the last three NFL seasons, he’s locked in on the Steelers (+1.5) over the Jets for Friday’s matchup. And you know why? Allar. Severance pointed out that “Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers won’t play because he never does in the preseason,” but Allar, a third-round pick out of Penn State, was “one of the big stories of Week 1.” Forget “steal” being premature; Severance literally said Allar “might already be more talented than anything the Jets have.” He expects Allar to play a lot, too, which is huge for a rookie trying to prove himself. Will Howard is in the mix too, showing the Steelers have some solid options under center.
Why This Preseason Pick Is Different
Most teams are playing their starters super conservatively in the preseason, which makes locking in picks a tough call. It’s why having an expert like Matt Severance, who’s been delivering strong returns on his NFL betting picks, is so clutch. He’s navigating through the uncertainty of limited starter reps and coaches holding back the playbook. When a guy like Allar, a third-rounder, steps up and puts on that kind of clinic against the Packers, it’s not just a good game; it’s a statement. It changes the calculus for handicappers like Severance, giving them a clear indicator of who’s showing up and ready to ball out even when the stars are on the sidelines. These early performances are everything for guys trying to carve out a role.
The Rest of Friday’s Action
Beyond the Steelers and Jets kicking things off at 7 p.m. ET, we’ve got more Friday night preseason action to keep an eye on. The Panthers are taking on the Jaguars at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then the Packers are closing out the night against the Broncos at 9 p.m. ET. The latest NFL odds for Friday list the Broncos at -5.5, with the other two lines holding steady at -1.5. Severance has got two more best bets locked in for the night, including backing a pair of underdogs who definitely have something to prove. It’s still early in the preseason, but performances like Allar’s tell you everything you need to know about who’s hungry to make an impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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