NFL Preseason Thursday: What Bettors Need to Know
New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 36.5)
Starter report
New England: There was lots to like in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite more than 30 regular players watching from the sideline. New England’s balanced attack rolled over the Jaguars defense for a 47-12 win as a 3-point home favorite last Thursday.
Backup quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallet combined for 335 passing yards and two touchdowns while the running game rumbled for 141 yards, getting two scores apiece from rookies Stevan Ridley and Richard Medlin.
This week, Tom Brady is expected to make his preseason debut as is newly acquired receiver Chad Ochocino, after both sat out Week 1. Head coach Bill Belichick is as tight-lipped as ever about his game plan and his starters' minutes, however, New England’s other skill players are hinting at a full look at the starting lineup.
“We’re all excited. It’s the coach’s decision. Whatever he says, that’s what we’ve got to do,” veteran WR Deion Branch told the media. “We want to get out there and see what we look like.”
Other notable Patriots should be taking the field Thursday after sitting out Week 1. Big-name defensive additions DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Shaun Ellis will likely be spectators for another week.
Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers wowed in their preseason debut, stomping the Kansas City Chiefs 25-0 as 2.5-point road favorites Friday. However, the Chiefs played without many of their star players on both sides of the ball.
Tampa Bay got a good look at starting QB Josh Freeman, who went 9-for-13 passing for 72 yards and no scores. His backups, Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter, were steady and combined for 158 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, the Buccaneers spread the ball around, but got the biggest punch from their scrambling quarterbacks. Johnson rushed for 57 yards while Freeman tacked on a five-yard touchdown plunge.
While the offense was impressive, head coach Raheem Morris is more concerned with the improvements made on defense. Tampa Bay’s stop unit wasn’t tested much versus Kansas City and had some rough showings in training camp. Morris turned up the intensity in practice this week, and will have his focus squarely on the defense Thursday night. Expect an aggressive pass rush from the Bucs, who sacked the Chiefs’ QBs six times in the opener.
Things to note: Under Morris, the Bucs are now 4-5 SU and 6-3 ATS in the preseason while Belichick is 37-29 SU and 34-26-6 ATS in the warmup schedule… With the Pats’ backup QBs impressing in Week 1, there is trade buzz starting that New England may be able to deal Hoyer or Mallet for some quality talent… the forecast in Tampa Bay is calling for thunderstorms Thursday night.
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 34)
Starter report
Philadelphia: The new-look Eagles edged the Baltimore Ravens 13-6 as 3-point home favorites in their preseason opener Thursday night.
Quarterback Michael Vick was limited to just six throws, completing four of those for 74 yards and a score. Backup Mike Kafka connected on 13 of his 19 pass attempts, putting up 132 yards through the air and one interception. Big-name acquisition Vince Young was limited to only five pass attempts, completing three of those for 45 yards while adding one six-yard run.
Head coach Andy Reid, who is notorious for not caring about preseason games, told reporters he plans on playing his starters for the first half of Thursday’s meeting with the state-rival Steelers. Reid hopes the hostile environment of Heinz Field will help toughen his team.
"We have a lot of new faces here," Reid told the media. "Good, hard aggressive work has a tendency to bring people together and I think it checks all the egos at the door and allows you to jell as a team."
Missing in action this week are receivers Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith, along with numerous bodies on the offensive line. Philadelphia will have stud receiver DeSean Jackson back in action after his brief holdout forced the playmaker to miss Week 1 of the preseason. Although he only has a handful of reps under his belt, Jackson could play the entire first half in order to catch up with his fellow first-teamers.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers fell to the Washington Redskins, 16-7 as 2.5-point road underdogs, in their preseason opener Friday.
The starters played a handful of sets, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attempting only three passes – connecting on two of those for 22 yards. Backups Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch split snaps under center, combining for just 81 total yards through the air. On defense, the Steelers were missing LB James Harrisons and S Troy Polamalu, who will return to action Thursday.
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters his starters will play 20 to 25 snaps versus the Eagles, but said that could change depending on the flow of the game. Tomlin is paying close attention to his offensive line, which will start Doug Legursky and Tony Hills Thursday. He’s also testing his special teams, and may ask them for shorter kickoffs to get a good look at their coverage, which means great field position for Philadelphia.
Things to note: Reid is 19-30 SU and 20-27-2 ATS in the preseason while Tomlin owns a preseason record of 13-4 SU and 10-7 ATS… The Eagles are reportedly shopping CB Asante Samuel after acquiring Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha this offseason… the forecast in Pittsburgh is calling for a chance of thundershowers Thursday.