Bob Balfe
Detroit Lions -2.5
The New England Patriots are not really designed to be a preseason team. Much like the Colts a few years ago this team goes as far as Tom Brady takes them. This game is inside on turf and I just don't see Brady going as long as he would on a regular week 3 preseason count. The Patriots are really thin at their skilled positions this year and Brady is not a kid anymore. No need to get this guy hurt on this playing surface. Detroit has so much speed and actually has better depth with their backups. New England is just not a deep team. I am not saying they will not do great this year, but from just a preseason outlook this is not the best team to be backing. Take Detroit.
Harry Bondi
DETROIT (-2.5) over New England
We have hit 3 of our last 4 in the NFL Preseason and tonight we are going with history. Despite what Head coach Bill Belichick says, the Patriots do not use this game as a dress rehearsal for week one like most teams in the NFL. Belichick plays this game as basic as he can because he is paranoid and does not want to put anything that he might use in week one on tape for the other teams in the league to study. New England is a perfect 0-5 ATS in week three the last 5 years and with two solid pre-season showings under his belt we don't expect the Patriots to play with a sense or purpose tonight. Detroit, however, needs to get the bad taste out of their mouth after a dreadful 24-6 loss to Cleveland. Head coach Jim Schwarz typically plays to win in the pre-season as his 7-3 ATS record shows. Take the Lions over the Pats.
Rocketman
New England @ Detroit
Play: Detroit -1 -125
The New England Patriots travel to Detroit to take on the Lions on Thursday night. Detroit is 5-1 SU and ATS in games on artificial turf the past 3 years. New England is 0-5 ATS the last 3 years in Game 3 of the NFL Preseason. Detroit Head Coach Jim Schwartz is now 13-5 SU in the NFL preseason. Schwartz is 6-0 SU and ATS vs an opponent off a SU win in the preseason. Detroit is 4-1 ATS last 5 years in Game three of the NFL preseason. I'm expecting Detroit starters to play longer here tonight where I feel New England will still try to protect Brady a little more. We'll recommend a small play on Detroit tonight!
Joe Gavazzi
Carolina +3
The defending Champs appear to be serious in August. They now stand 2-0 by a combined score of 71-39. That is a bit dichotomous to their stats which finds them out gained 695-621 and 250-189. That includes last week's phony results against Atlanta, a 27-23 comeback from the dead victory in which they were outgained 422-249 and out rushed 170-61. Panther numbers are not much better but at least they have not been lulled into a false sense of security after a 14-9 loss in Philly last week.