Patriots at the Eagles, NFL football Betting Pick and Preview. |
New England @ Philadelphia NFL betting Pick and Preview
After last year’s fluke injury in which quarterback Tom Brady missed the last 15 games of the season, New England bounces back with a healthy signal caller and a hunger to make the playoffs. Without Brady, the Patriots (11-5) missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but still managed an impressive season, their running game ranking sixth best in the league. A healthy Brady is expected to be a significant upgrade from Matt Cassel (Kansas City), who filled in admirably as a starter last season.
New England loses Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison (retirement), but adds a pair of cornerbacks in Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, who should contribute quickly, and veteran receiver Joey Galloway, who joins Randy Moss and Wes Welker as one of the top trios in the NFL.
The Pats (9-7 against the spread) travel to Philadelphia (10-6 against the spread) for their first preseason game as 3.5 point underdogs. The Patriots are +400 to win Super Bowl XLIV, the odds on favorite, but at +1200, Philadelphia is not far behind.
Philadelphia suffered a disappointing loss in the NFC Championship game last season, falling 32-25 to the Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles will be playing this season with heavy hearts after losing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to cancer in the off season. Philadelphia looks significantly different from last year’s squad after losing offensive tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, safety Brian Dawkins and tight end LJ Smith.
However, the City of Brotherly Love hopes that rookie running back LeSean McCoy can serve as the heir to Brian Westbrook’s throne. Similarly, the additions of offensive linemen Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews should ease the transition. Rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin joins second year wide out DeSean Jackson as a pair of dangerous deep threats.
Our NFL football betting pick for this game is the Eagles -3.5.
