NFL Preseason Betting – Jets Host Eagles’ QB Hopefuls

Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5, 44 o/u) at New York Jets

Betting on Week 4 of the NFL preseason is always a crapshoot. Almost every starter will get the day off, resting for the regular season opener next weekend. That said, the Philadelphia Eagles have been incredibly impressive throughout the exhibition slate, both starters and reserves. Chip Kelly’s squad will look to finish the preseason a perfect 4-0 when they travel to East Rutherford to face the New York Jets at Metlife Stadium this Thursday (7:00 PM Eastern).

The Eagles have been downright dominant through their first three games, winning each by double-digits and averaging 38.3 points per games. New starting QB Sam Bradford – who is recovering from knee surgery – won’t take part in Thursday’s game.

But Kelly has liked what he’s seen so far from the oft-injured Oklahoma product, both in terms of his early play and his dedication.

“I think, like anybody, we can always continue to improve. So I think, every day, that’s the great thing about Sam, he’s not going to rest on anything,” Kelly said according to the Eagles’ website. “He’s missed a lot of football coming into this, but I think he’s playing good right now. He can always get better, be sharper, and you know, that’s the thing I love about him. He will be back out on the field on Monday, trying to get better.”

Given Bradford’s propensity to get injured, Kelly is also likely to rest back-up Mark Sanchez, meaning Matt Barkley and Tim Tebow – who are battling for the third-string role – will see most, if not all, of the snaps.

The preseason finale will also be a good chance for the Jets to assess where their rookie QB Bryce Petty is at in his transition to the pro game. Petty was penciled in as the third-string QB for New York heading into the preseason, but after the injury to Geno Smith, the Baylor grad has jumped to number two on the depth chart.

Petty didn’t wow last week, but didn’t look hopeless, either, going 5 of 8 for 42 yards, no touchdowns, and no picks against the Giants. His best game to date came in Week 2 when he racked up 168 yards and one major on 12 of 19 passing against the Falcons.

Given how the Eagle offense is clicking – regardless of who is under center – it’s hard to bet against them, even when they’re laying 5.5 on the road and the result doesn’t matter. The fact that Barkeley and Tebow are still auditioning for the same job should only increase your confidence that Philly will continue to put up points.

Pick: Eagles (-5.5).

(Photo credit: MarineCorps NewYork (flickr) “New York Jets vs Jacksonville Jaguars Military Ceremony”  [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/].)