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Thursday's Preseason Tips
Eagles at Steelers (-3 ½, 40 ½) – 7:00 PM EST
Philadelphia
Head Coach: Doug Pederson (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS record in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jeff McLane
Philadelphia took advantage of a fumble on the opening kickoff by Tampa Bay and scored two early touchdowns in a 17-9 victory as three-point favorites last Thursday. Carson Wentz put together a less than stellar NFL debut by completing 12-of-24 passes for 89 yards, while getting intercepted once. Wentz will not play this week as he suffered a rib injury in the win. Philadelphia posted 188 yards of offense, compared to 329 yards by Tampa Bay, but the Eagles’ defense intercepted the Buccaneers three times and recovered two fumbles. The Eagles are listed as a preseason underdog for the first time since a 42-35 loss at New England (+2) in Week 2 of the 2014 exhibition season.
Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (21-18 SU, 16-22-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Dustin Vaughan
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Mark Kaboly
Many of Pittsburgh’s key offensive weapons watched from the sidelines in its preseason opening loss to Detroit. However, the Steelers defense was shredded by the Lions, allowing 379 yards in a 30-17 defeat, while also giving up a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Gradkowski is sidelined for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, while Roethlisberger, running backs Le’Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, and wide receiver Antonio Brown will sit once again. The Steelers have lost seven of their last eight preseason games, but Pittsburgh has won each of its past two home exhibition openers over Green Bay (2015) and Buffalo (2014).
Bengals at Lions (-2 ½, 41) – 7:30 PM EST
Cincinnati
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (28-26 SU, 28-25-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Andy Dalton, A.J. McCarron, Keith Wenning, Joe Licata (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jim Owczarski
Cincinnati’s offense found the end zone only once in its 17-16 preseason opening defeat to Minnesota last Friday. The Bengals returned a punt for an 80-yard touchdown in the final minutes of regulation, but went for a two-point conversion and failed to lose by a point as the game closed at a pick-em. Cincinnati’s quarterbacks combined to throw for 249 yards, including 125 and a touchdown from A.J. McCarron. Five straight preseason games for the Bengals have finished UNDER the total, while Cincinnati has lost its last two Game 2’s of the preseason.
Detroit
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (9-12 SU, 11-10 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Jake Rudock (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Dave Birkett
The Lions overcame an early interception return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh to pound the Steelers, 30-17. Although Stafford saw limited action (4-of-6, 58 yards), Orlovsky stepped up by throwing for 164 yards and a touchdown in the win. Detroit has won seven consecutive home exhibition games dating back to 2012, while owning a 6-1 ATS record in its last seven preseason contests in the favorite role. However, the Lions have lost three consecutive Week 2 games in the preseason, all of which came on the road.
Raiders at Packers (-3, 42 ½) – 8:00 PM EST
Oakland
Head Coach: Jack Del Rio (23-18 SU, 22-17-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Derek Carr, Matt McGloin, Connor Cook (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Vic Tafur
The Raiders turned in one of the more impressive performances in Week 1 by routing the Cardinals, 31-10 as 2 ½-point underdogs. George Atkinson III rushed for a pair of touchdowns and 97 yards on the ground as Oakland put up 166 yards rushing. The Raiders did allow 383 yards defensively, but Oakland created three turnovers. Oakland hasn’t won consecutive preseason games since 2010, while owning a 1-10 SU and 2-9 ATS road exhibition record in the last 11 on the highway.
Green Bay
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (21-20 SU, 21-20 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan (Rookie), Marquise Williams (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Rob Demovsky
Aaron Rodgers will likely sit out his second straight preseason game after the Packers’ star didn’t play in a 17-11 home victory over the Browns last Friday. Rodgers will probably play only once in the preseason in Week 3 against the 49ers, as rookies Callahan and Williams combined to throw for 169 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Cleveland. The Packers hope to get Hundley some reps after missing the Cleveland game with an ankle injury. Green Bay has won four of its past five preseason contests at Lambeau Field, including a 31-21 triumph over Oakland as seven-point favorites in 2014.
Bears at Patriots (-4, 40 ½) – 8:00 PM EST
Chicago
Head Coach: John Fox (31-26 SU, 27-29-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, David Fales, Connor Shaw
Beat Twitter Follow: Zach Zaidman
The Bears put together the worst performance in the opening week of preseason by getting shut out at home by the Broncos, 22-0. Chicago amassed 194 yards, which included only 48 yards on the ground. The only good news is the Bears allowed just one offensive touchdown, as the second touchdown the Broncos scored came on a blocked punt in the end zone. Chicago has won four consecutive Game 2’s of the preseason, while the Bears have cashed the UNDER in four straight exhibition games overall.
New England
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (47-39 SU, 43-36-7 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Ben Volin
The Patriots’ defense found the end zone twice in last Thursday’s 34-22 victory over the Saints as New England returned an interception and a fumble for scores. Brady sat out last week as his replacement for the first four games of the regular season stepped up as Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 168 yards. New England rushed for 151 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown scamper by Tyler Gaffney. Brady is hoping to take some snaps against the Bears, as the Patriots go for their fourth consecutive Week 2 preseason victory.
Falcons at Browns (-2 ½, 37) – 8:00 PM EST
Atlanta
Head Coach: Dan Quinn (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Sean Renfree, Matt Simms
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Atlanta took control against Washington in the second quarter of its preseason opener by scoring 13 points en route to a 23-17 home victory. The Falcons covered as three-point favorites, as Schaub put together a solid performance by completing 10-of-15 passes for 179 yards. Atlanta outgained Washington by 125 yards to win its third consecutive exhibition opener. However, the Falcons have lost five of their last six exhibition games away from the Georgia Dome, including an 0-3 ATS mark as a road underdog of three points or less.
Cleveland
Head Coach: Hue Jackson (0-5 SU, 0-5 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Austin Davis
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Mary Kay Cabot
The Browns managed to put together this scoring line in their opener against the Packers: 2-3-6-0. Cleveland picked up an early safety, a 46-yard field goal, and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kessler to Rashard Higgins, but missed the two-point conversion. The Browns fell to the Packers, 17-11, as Green Bay recorded two safeties on defense. Griffin threw for 67 yards and was intercepted once in his Cleveland debut as he tries to get comfortable running the Browns offense. Cleveland owns a 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS record in its past nine preseason games, while losing three of its previous four home exhibition contests.
Vikings at Seahawks (-3 ½, 38 ½) – 10:00 PM EST
Minnesota
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Joel Stave (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Chris Tomasson
The Vikings continued their preseason success under Zimmer by holding off the Bengals, 17-16 in a pick-em role. Minnesota has held eight of 10 opponents to 17 points or less in the preseason since 2014, while winning four of five road games. Even though this is an exhibition game, the Vikings would like to put together a good performance against the Seahawks after losing twice to Seattle last season, including a 10-9 defeat in the Wild Card round.
Seattle
Head Coach: Pete Carroll (26-16 SU, 28-13-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Russell Wilson, Trevone Boykin, Jake Heaps
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Bob Condotta
The Seahawks have been a strong preseason team under Carroll as Seattle erased a 16-6 deficit to stun Kansas City last Saturday, 17-16. Boykin, the former TCU standout, found Tanner McEvoy in the end zone from 37 yards out on the final play to give the Seahawks the win and the cover as 3 ½-point underdogs. Boykin threw for 188 yards in his NFL debut, while the Seahawks racked up 358 yards of offense. Since 2012, the Seahawks have put together a 7-1 SU/ATS record at home in the preseason with the lone loss coming to Denver last season in a two-point defeat.
Eagles at Steelers (-3 ½, 40 ½) – 7:00 PM EST
Philadelphia
Head Coach: Doug Pederson (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS record in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jeff McLane
Philadelphia took advantage of a fumble on the opening kickoff by Tampa Bay and scored two early touchdowns in a 17-9 victory as three-point favorites last Thursday. Carson Wentz put together a less than stellar NFL debut by completing 12-of-24 passes for 89 yards, while getting intercepted once. Wentz will not play this week as he suffered a rib injury in the win. Philadelphia posted 188 yards of offense, compared to 329 yards by Tampa Bay, but the Eagles’ defense intercepted the Buccaneers three times and recovered two fumbles. The Eagles are listed as a preseason underdog for the first time since a 42-35 loss at New England (+2) in Week 2 of the 2014 exhibition season.
Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (21-18 SU, 16-22-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Dustin Vaughan
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Mark Kaboly
Many of Pittsburgh’s key offensive weapons watched from the sidelines in its preseason opening loss to Detroit. However, the Steelers defense was shredded by the Lions, allowing 379 yards in a 30-17 defeat, while also giving up a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Gradkowski is sidelined for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, while Roethlisberger, running backs Le’Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, and wide receiver Antonio Brown will sit once again. The Steelers have lost seven of their last eight preseason games, but Pittsburgh has won each of its past two home exhibition openers over Green Bay (2015) and Buffalo (2014).
Bengals at Lions (-2 ½, 41) – 7:30 PM EST
Cincinnati
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (28-26 SU, 28-25-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Andy Dalton, A.J. McCarron, Keith Wenning, Joe Licata (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jim Owczarski
Cincinnati’s offense found the end zone only once in its 17-16 preseason opening defeat to Minnesota last Friday. The Bengals returned a punt for an 80-yard touchdown in the final minutes of regulation, but went for a two-point conversion and failed to lose by a point as the game closed at a pick-em. Cincinnati’s quarterbacks combined to throw for 249 yards, including 125 and a touchdown from A.J. McCarron. Five straight preseason games for the Bengals have finished UNDER the total, while Cincinnati has lost its last two Game 2’s of the preseason.
Detroit
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (9-12 SU, 11-10 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Jake Rudock (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Dave Birkett
The Lions overcame an early interception return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh to pound the Steelers, 30-17. Although Stafford saw limited action (4-of-6, 58 yards), Orlovsky stepped up by throwing for 164 yards and a touchdown in the win. Detroit has won seven consecutive home exhibition games dating back to 2012, while owning a 6-1 ATS record in its last seven preseason contests in the favorite role. However, the Lions have lost three consecutive Week 2 games in the preseason, all of which came on the road.
Raiders at Packers (-3, 42 ½) – 8:00 PM EST
Oakland
Head Coach: Jack Del Rio (23-18 SU, 22-17-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Derek Carr, Matt McGloin, Connor Cook (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Vic Tafur
The Raiders turned in one of the more impressive performances in Week 1 by routing the Cardinals, 31-10 as 2 ½-point underdogs. George Atkinson III rushed for a pair of touchdowns and 97 yards on the ground as Oakland put up 166 yards rushing. The Raiders did allow 383 yards defensively, but Oakland created three turnovers. Oakland hasn’t won consecutive preseason games since 2010, while owning a 1-10 SU and 2-9 ATS road exhibition record in the last 11 on the highway.
Green Bay
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (21-20 SU, 21-20 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan (Rookie), Marquise Williams (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Rob Demovsky
Aaron Rodgers will likely sit out his second straight preseason game after the Packers’ star didn’t play in a 17-11 home victory over the Browns last Friday. Rodgers will probably play only once in the preseason in Week 3 against the 49ers, as rookies Callahan and Williams combined to throw for 169 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Cleveland. The Packers hope to get Hundley some reps after missing the Cleveland game with an ankle injury. Green Bay has won four of its past five preseason contests at Lambeau Field, including a 31-21 triumph over Oakland as seven-point favorites in 2014.
Bears at Patriots (-4, 40 ½) – 8:00 PM EST
Chicago
Head Coach: John Fox (31-26 SU, 27-29-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, David Fales, Connor Shaw
Beat Twitter Follow: Zach Zaidman
The Bears put together the worst performance in the opening week of preseason by getting shut out at home by the Broncos, 22-0. Chicago amassed 194 yards, which included only 48 yards on the ground. The only good news is the Bears allowed just one offensive touchdown, as the second touchdown the Broncos scored came on a blocked punt in the end zone. Chicago has won four consecutive Game 2’s of the preseason, while the Bears have cashed the UNDER in four straight exhibition games overall.
New England
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (47-39 SU, 43-36-7 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Ben Volin
The Patriots’ defense found the end zone twice in last Thursday’s 34-22 victory over the Saints as New England returned an interception and a fumble for scores. Brady sat out last week as his replacement for the first four games of the regular season stepped up as Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 168 yards. New England rushed for 151 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown scamper by Tyler Gaffney. Brady is hoping to take some snaps against the Bears, as the Patriots go for their fourth consecutive Week 2 preseason victory.
Falcons at Browns (-2 ½, 37) – 8:00 PM EST
Atlanta
Head Coach: Dan Quinn (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Sean Renfree, Matt Simms
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Atlanta took control against Washington in the second quarter of its preseason opener by scoring 13 points en route to a 23-17 home victory. The Falcons covered as three-point favorites, as Schaub put together a solid performance by completing 10-of-15 passes for 179 yards. Atlanta outgained Washington by 125 yards to win its third consecutive exhibition opener. However, the Falcons have lost five of their last six exhibition games away from the Georgia Dome, including an 0-3 ATS mark as a road underdog of three points or less.
Cleveland
Head Coach: Hue Jackson (0-5 SU, 0-5 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Austin Davis
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Mary Kay Cabot
The Browns managed to put together this scoring line in their opener against the Packers: 2-3-6-0. Cleveland picked up an early safety, a 46-yard field goal, and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kessler to Rashard Higgins, but missed the two-point conversion. The Browns fell to the Packers, 17-11, as Green Bay recorded two safeties on defense. Griffin threw for 67 yards and was intercepted once in his Cleveland debut as he tries to get comfortable running the Browns offense. Cleveland owns a 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS record in its past nine preseason games, while losing three of its previous four home exhibition contests.
Vikings at Seahawks (-3 ½, 38 ½) – 10:00 PM EST
Minnesota
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Joel Stave (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Chris Tomasson
The Vikings continued their preseason success under Zimmer by holding off the Bengals, 17-16 in a pick-em role. Minnesota has held eight of 10 opponents to 17 points or less in the preseason since 2014, while winning four of five road games. Even though this is an exhibition game, the Vikings would like to put together a good performance against the Seahawks after losing twice to Seattle last season, including a 10-9 defeat in the Wild Card round.
Seattle
Head Coach: Pete Carroll (26-16 SU, 28-13-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Russell Wilson, Trevone Boykin, Jake Heaps
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Bob Condotta
The Seahawks have been a strong preseason team under Carroll as Seattle erased a 16-6 deficit to stun Kansas City last Saturday, 17-16. Boykin, the former TCU standout, found Tanner McEvoy in the end zone from 37 yards out on the final play to give the Seahawks the win and the cover as 3 ½-point underdogs. Boykin threw for 188 yards in his NFL debut, while the Seahawks racked up 358 yards of offense. Since 2012, the Seahawks have put together a 7-1 SU/ATS record at home in the preseason with the lone loss coming to Denver last season in a two-point defeat.
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