What Bettors Need to Know: Thursday's NFL Preseason Action
By Covers.com
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 38.5)
The Falcons will be kicking the tires on new backup QB Luke McCown, who was signed after the team released second-stringer Chris Redman. Atlanta also has some tinkering to do on the offensive line heading into the final preseason game.
New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (-5, 36.5)
The Jets have dominated this Week 4 preseason matchup, going 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the Eagles in the preseason finale since 2001. New York will not play many of its starters and will also give No. 2 QB Tim Tebow the night off.
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-3.5, 38)
Two QBs are out to impress in the last preseason tilt of the summer. Rookie passer Case Keenum is trying to secure a spot as the Texans third stringer and will be battling John Beck for that position Thursday. Vikings veteran Sage Rosenfels is fighting off McLeod Bethel-Thompson for the third-string job in Minny.
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-3.5, 38.5)
Detroit is expected to let its healthy starters play in Week 4, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. “If guys are healthy they'll play,” he told reporters. “We may have some situations where we hold guys out that are just healing up to be at 100 percent, but if guys are 100 percent and they're healthy they're going to play.”
Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers (+1, 40.5)
Green Bay’s starters will get a few reps in during the final preseason tune-up. The Packers will give QB Aaron Rodgers a series or two before focusing on position battles. The Chiefs, on the other hand, could give their first teams significant time Thursday after a lackluster preseason.
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 40)
The Saints were forced to leave for Tennessee early due to Hurricane Isaac and won’t be focused on football with plenty of family members evacuating New Orleans this week. The Saints are 6-10 SU and ATS in Week 4 of the preseason since 1995.
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 38.5)
First-overall draft pick Andrew Luck will see action in Week 4 but it hasn’t been decided just how much. The Colts offense needs the reps before the regular season begins but they’re cautious of potential injuries to their key players.
Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 38.5)
Pittsburgh has one of the best records during Week 4 of the preseason since 1995, going 10-6 SU and 11-5 ATS. Carolina will likely give backup QB Jimmy Clausen plenty of snaps as well as veteran Derek Anderson in an effort to sure up its second-string option.
Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams (-4.5, 38.5)
St. Louis has a short week to prepare for the final preseason contests, having played Saturday. New head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters he plans to play his starters more than most teams in Week 4, as far as into the third quarter. Baltimore isn’t expected to return the favor and will likely sit QB Joe Flacco and the rest of the first teamers.
Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (-3.5, 37)
Cleveland will sit rookie QB Brandon Weeden for the preseason finale with the Bears and instead start Colt McCoy. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur says backups Seneca Wallace and Thad Lewis will also get reps while the majority of the starters will rest.
Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 40)
Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn was limited in practice this week due to a sore elbow. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is optimistic about his status for Thursday’s game and will lean on third-stringer Josh Portis plenty if Flynn is unable to go. Running back Marshawn Lynch will not play in Week 4.
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)
Chargers QB Philip Rivers will start Thursday’s preseason closer against the Niners. Rivers sat out Week 3 due to injuries on the offensive line and is expected to play more than most starting QBs in Week 4. Tight end Antonio Gates is also expected to play more than the usual Week 4 minutes.
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 36.5)
Denver will march backups Brock Osweiler and Caleb Hanie out under center in Week 4, sitting Peyton Manning for the preseason finale. Haine is expected to start but Osweiler has plenty of motivation in Arizona where he played his college ball at ASU. The Cardinals are still trying to tag a starting QB but will go with third-stringer Ryan Lindley as the starter Thursday.
Thursday NFL Preseason Game Notes
By Steve Merril
Playbook.com
Chiefs (- 1½, 39) @ Packers: Kansas City head coach Romeo Crennel wants to see something good out of his starters on Thursday night and he plans to play his first-team players as long as it takes in order to end the preseason on a positive note. “There is some significance in the game to how you play,” Crennel said. “You can go out and you can stink the place up and then you can take your starters out and sometimes that will carry over to the regular season.”
Green Bay is taking a different approach. “The starters will play a very limited time in the first quarter,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “This week is really for the young guys.”
Ravens @ Rams (- 5, 37½): Baltimore will be playing their young guys extensively in this game. “This is the biggest game in the careers of a bunch of guys Thursday night,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “There's a lot on the line for these guys and I can't wait to watch some of them play.”
St. Louis starters will play into the third quarter in this game. Head coach Jeff Fisher has planned all along to give them the most work in the final preseason game as opposed to using the third game as the dress rehearsal. “It's important,” Fisher said. “The time they have in there, they've got to work well together.”
Broncos @ Cardinals (- 2½, 37): Denver quarterback Peyton Manning will not play tonight. Caleb Hanie will start with third-stringer Brock Osweiler taking the rest of the snaps. Hanie and Osweiler are in a heated battle for the backup spot so tonight’s game is important for both of them as head coach John Fox will decide on Manning’s backup after tonight’s results. “We'll make those decisions after the race is over, not before the race,” Fox said.
Arizona will start third-string rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley tonight. And it’s kind of strange considering head coach Ken Whisenhunt has yet to name his starting quarterback for the regular season - it’s between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. “In the last preseason game, it doesn’t make much sense, given who the Broncos will or, more importantly, won’t play, to play starters,” Whisenhunt said.