Bills at Eagles Week 2 NFL Preseason Betting Lines

Bills at Eagles Week 2 NFL Preseason Betting Lines

Written by on August 16, 2017

Neither the Buffalo Bills nor the Philadelphia Eagles looked very good in its NFL preseason opener and even though it doesn’t count, both will look for at least more offense when the teams square off Thursday night in the City of Brotherly Love. So let’s review the game info, NFL preseason betting odds and other info surrounding this match and pick a winner for all football fans looking to get it on the action.

Buffalo at Philadelphia Week 2 NFL Preseason Betting Lines

When: Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 PM ET Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia TV: Local only (NFL Network replay) Radio: Sirius XM Radio Stream Option: NFL Game Pass Opening NFL Preseason Lines: Eagles -4 (39.5) GAMETIME WEATHER Mostly Cloudy 28°C/82°F Humidity 64% Precipitation % 1% Cloud Cover 61% Wind 8 mph SSE Stadium Type Open

Preseason Openers

Buffalo lost its NFL preseason opener 17-10 at home to Minnesota. Buffalo starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played three series and hit 5 of 8 attempts for 46 yards. At least Buffalo’s starting defense played well for two series. Jerry Hughes and backup defensive end Eddie Yarborough each had sacks. RB LeSean McCoy (rest), LT Cordy Glenn (left foot), CB Kevon Seymour (foot) and DE Shaq Lawson (groin). Philadelphia lost 24-9 in Green Bay last week. On the bright side, starting QB Carson Wentz was 4 for 4 for 56 yards and a score on his first series, eluding a potential sack and burning the Packers on third and fourth downs. Big offseason free agent addition Alshon Jeffery, the former Bears receiver, didn’t play. Philly’s offense turned it over three times in the second quarter with backup quarterback Matt McGloin behind center.

First Game Since Trade

Last week the Bills stunned everyone by trading No. 1 receiver Sammy Watkins to the Rams and No. 1 cornerback Ronald Darby to these Eagles. Buffalo got WR Jordan Matthews back from the Eagles but Matthews is hurt already. Matthews sustained a chip fracture in his sternum during his first practice with the club, according to an official announcement made by the Bills on Monday so he won’t play here. One of the appeals in the Bills trading for Matthews was that he would have a better chance of staying healthy than Watkins, who has missed 11 games the past two seasons and been hampered by injuries in others. Since entering the league, Matthews has missed only two games — both in 2016. As a result, his production (225 catches, 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns) has been higher than Watkins’ (153 catches, 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns). Taylor now has to operate with rookie Zay Jones, veteran Anquan Boldin and a slew of wideouts competing for playing time behind them during this NFL preseason. After removing Watkins from the equation, Taylor now has to operate with rookie Zay Jones, veteran Anquan Boldin and a slew of wideouts competing for playing time behind them. Matthews will have to learn the offense from the sideline. Buffalo’s best lineman, Glenn, will sit again. He received an injection on his injured left foot this week and is considered week-to-week by the team. Glenn flew to Wisconsin to have the procedure, which was done by specialist Dr. Bob Anderson. Glenn previously visited Anderson in Charlotte earlier this month to receive a second opinion on his sore left foot, which has affected him all training camp. A second-round pick in 2012, Glenn has started 72 games for Buffalo since his rookie season. He signed a five-year, $65 million extension in May of 2016.

Jeffery To Debut

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is “leaning towards” playing Jeffery on Thursday. Jeffery has not seen much action since sustaining a shoulder injury in late July. He missed four practices initially and had been limited up until very recently. The 27-year-old receiver has been participating in team drills over the past couple days, however, and appears on track to suit up. Wentz will start and be on the field for “a drive, maybe two at the most”, per Pederson. Darby is expected to make a cameo as well against his former team.  One position to watch Thursday could be offensive tackle. Jason Peters was excused from Tuesday’s practice for personal reasons. If he is not back with the team in time, Lane Johnson will start at left tackle, and Matt Tobin will go at right tackle with Halapoulivaati Vaitai sidelined with a knee injury. One guy Eagles fans are not seeing is running back Ryan Mathews, after his release on Tuesday. Mathews suffered a herniated disk in his neck last season during a Week 16 game against the New York Giants. Mathews, a seven-year veteran, had an up-and-down 2016 NFL preseason due in part to injury, finishing with 661 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 13 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles signed LeGarrette Blount to a one-year, $1.25 million deal this offseason to serve as the lead back. Blount established career highs in carries (299), rushing yards (1,161) and rushing touchdowns (18) in 2016 for the Patriots so Mathews was expendable.

Examining NFL Week 2 Preseason Bet-On Teams

BUFFALO BILLS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards 354.00 Current Offensive rush yards 164.31 Offensive passing yards 189.69 Average Score For 24.94 Defensive total yards 357.00 Current Defensive rush yards 134.75 Defensive passing yards 222.25 Average Score Against 23.62

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards 337.44 Current Offensive rush yards 113.25 Offensive passing yards 224.19 Average Score For 22.94 Defensive total yards 342.75 Current Defensive rush yards 103.25 Defensive passing yards 239.50 Average Score Against 20.69

Game Trends

Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. Bills are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Eagles are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.

Expert NFL Preseason Prediction

Give the points here – that Buffalo offense is going to struggle to score again with no Watkins and no now Matthews.