The Eagles close-out the preseason this Thursday night at home against the New York Jets with a chance to go a perfect 4-0. Do not expect to see any of the Philly starters on the field as Andy Reid reserves this game as one final audition to fill-out the few spots left on his 53-man roster.
There are a couple of player battles raging-on especially on the defensive side of the ball and how they play against the Jets will give Reid one last opportunity to decide who stays and who goes. Another intriguing aspect of Thursday night's game will be the play of quarterback Nick Foles. The third-round pick has captured the imagination of the city with his unexpected play in place of a slightly nicked-up Michael Vick. Once thought of as a longshot to even make the team, the rookie from Arizona has worked his way to No.2 on depth chart. Foles is expected to play the first quarter against New York with Trent Edwards playing the final three.
Everyone is well aware that the chance that Vick starts all 16 regular-season games this season is probably slim at best. This means that Foles will need to step-in somewhere along the line when the bullets are flying around for real. The scary thought here is that his ability to play at the same level that he has played at in the preseason could ultimately determine how far the Eagles go this season.
The following is a link to my complete preview of Thursday night's game in an article that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part of an ongoing series that will cover every Eagles' game this season.
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 4 vs. Jets
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
2012 NFC North Odds & Preview
Our preview of every division in the NFL for the upcoming season takes us to the NFC North for the latest installment. The Green Bay Packers are prohibitive favorites to win the title again this season after posting a NFL-best 15-1 record in 2011.
The Packers remain basically intact from last year's squad so it is easy to see why they are such heavy favorites. One of the problems for Green Bay could be living-up to such high expectations but another one is the Chicago Bears. If all of the talent on the Bear's offense plays to its ability and Brian Urlacher can get back on the field on defense, the NFC North race will be much closer than expected.
Detroit is in prime position for a major step backwards after last year's run to a wildcard spot in the playoffs as a result of a number of off-field issues involving some high-profile players. Minnesota hopes to have Adrian Peterson back on the field for the start of the regular season but there are still way too many holes on both sides of the ball for the Vikings to seriously compete for the division title this year.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC North in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
2012 NFC North Odds & Preview
The Packers remain basically intact from last year's squad so it is easy to see why they are such heavy favorites. One of the problems for Green Bay could be living-up to such high expectations but another one is the Chicago Bears. If all of the talent on the Bear's offense plays to its ability and Brian Urlacher can get back on the field on defense, the NFC North race will be much closer than expected.
Detroit is in prime position for a major step backwards after last year's run to a wildcard spot in the playoffs as a result of a number of off-field issues involving some high-profile players. Minnesota hopes to have Adrian Peterson back on the field for the start of the regular season but there are still way too many holes on both sides of the ball for the Vikings to seriously compete for the division title this year.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC North in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
2012 NFC North Odds & Preview
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cleveland
It is Week 3 of the NFL preseason and in a unique twist of scheduling the Eagles play the Cleveland Browns this Friday night which just so happens to be the same team they will face on opening day of the regular season.
All that means is that this week's game will be as vanilla as it gets. Andy Reid decided to stage his team's final dress rehearsal this past Monday night and the reviews were mixed. We will probably have no idea what expect from Michael Vick until the team's second game against the Browns after he bruised his ribs early in the first quarter against the Patriots. Reid cannot be thrilled with the 16 penalties his team committed on Monday night with a few extending New England drives that resulted in scores.
The positive take-away was the play of rookie quarterback Nick Foles and the Eagles' defensive front seven as a whole. For the second week in a row, Foles was able to move the offense down the field while staying poised in the pocket. He is clearly a solid prospect to fill the role of 'quarterback of the future' but with the way things are going for Vick so far, the future may very shortly be now.
For the first time since the Birds lost Jim Johnson and waived Brian Dawkins, I am actually excited about the defense. It is loaded up front with guys that can not only get after the quarterback but stuff the run as well. The addition of DeMeco Ryans through a trade with Houston and Mychal Kendricks through the draft appears to have finally addressed the team's persistent problems at linebacker and Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie finally look comfortable in the secondary.
The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Friday night's game in an article that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part as my ongoing series covering every Eagles' game this season.
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cleveland
All that means is that this week's game will be as vanilla as it gets. Andy Reid decided to stage his team's final dress rehearsal this past Monday night and the reviews were mixed. We will probably have no idea what expect from Michael Vick until the team's second game against the Browns after he bruised his ribs early in the first quarter against the Patriots. Reid cannot be thrilled with the 16 penalties his team committed on Monday night with a few extending New England drives that resulted in scores.
The positive take-away was the play of rookie quarterback Nick Foles and the Eagles' defensive front seven as a whole. For the second week in a row, Foles was able to move the offense down the field while staying poised in the pocket. He is clearly a solid prospect to fill the role of 'quarterback of the future' but with the way things are going for Vick so far, the future may very shortly be now.
For the first time since the Birds lost Jim Johnson and waived Brian Dawkins, I am actually excited about the defense. It is loaded up front with guys that can not only get after the quarterback but stuff the run as well. The addition of DeMeco Ryans through a trade with Houston and Mychal Kendricks through the draft appears to have finally addressed the team's persistent problems at linebacker and Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie finally look comfortable in the secondary.
The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Friday night's game in an article that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part as my ongoing series covering every Eagles' game this season.
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cleveland
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
2012 NFC South Odds & Preview
The NFL just wrapped-up Week 3 of the preseason with the Eagles 27-17 victory over New England on Monday night and the countdown to opening day is on. To get you ready for the regular season we have been previewing every division in the league.
The next stop on the list is the NFC South. Conventional wisdom tells you that this division is still the Saints to lose despite all the off-field distractions, but in reality that may not be the case. Atlanta is more than capable of out-dueling New Orleans for the title, but the biggest sleeper could be Carolina. If Cam Newton continues to develop at quarterback and the Panthers tighten things up on defense, they should be right in the mix all season long.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC South in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
2012 NFC South Odds & Preview
The next stop on the list is the NFC South. Conventional wisdom tells you that this division is still the Saints to lose despite all the off-field distractions, but in reality that may not be the case. Atlanta is more than capable of out-dueling New Orleans for the title, but the biggest sleeper could be Carolina. If Cam Newton continues to develop at quarterback and the Panthers tighten things up on defense, they should be right in the mix all season long.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC South in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
2012 NFC South Odds & Preview
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 2 vs. Patriots
It is Week 2 of the NFL preseason and the Eagles are headed to Foxborough to tangle with the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The Birds won bragging rights in the state of Pennsylvania last week against Pittsburgh by virtue of a last second field goal that lifted them to a 24-23 win, but their first team was clearly outplayed on both sides of the ball, falling behind 13-0 at the half.
Monday night's game now becomes a key test to see just how close to regular-season form this team is. It will have to keep things very vanilla next Friday night against Cleveland considering that the Eagles open the regular season against the Browns so this game becomes the final dress rehearsal for the starters as they should probably play into the second half. Michael Vick will be under the gun to move the offense after throwing for just six yards against the Steelers and the Eagles' first-team defense will get a chance to show what they can do against one of the most potent offenses in the league.
The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Monday night's game in an article that was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service.
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 2 vs. Patriots
Monday night's game now becomes a key test to see just how close to regular-season form this team is. It will have to keep things very vanilla next Friday night against Cleveland considering that the Eagles open the regular season against the Browns so this game becomes the final dress rehearsal for the starters as they should probably play into the second half. Michael Vick will be under the gun to move the offense after throwing for just six yards against the Steelers and the Eagles' first-team defense will get a chance to show what they can do against one of the most potent offenses in the league.
The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Monday night's game in an article that was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service.
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 2 vs. Patriots
Saturday, August 18, 2012
NFL Week 2 Preseason Preview- NY Giants vs. NY Jets
In the first of a Saturday night double-header of NFL preseason games on the NFL Network the New York Giants tangle with their co-tenants at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets in a battle for bragging rights in the Big Apple.
Considering that the Giants are coming off an amazing run to another Super Bowl title and the Jets finished 8-8 last season, I think we all know which team is New York's finest, but if the Jets come away with the win tonight, it would give them a very small leg up towards claiming that title this season.
The following is a link to my preview and prediction for tonight's game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Week 2 Preseason Preview- NY Giants vs. NY Jets
Considering that the Giants are coming off an amazing run to another Super Bowl title and the Jets finished 8-8 last season, I think we all know which team is New York's finest, but if the Jets come away with the win tonight, it would give them a very small leg up towards claiming that title this season.
The following is a link to my preview and prediction for tonight's game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Week 2 Preseason Preview- NY Giants vs. NY Jets
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
2012 NFC West Odds & Preview
The divisional previews for the AFC are in the book so it is time to turn our attention to the NFC starting with the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers have established themselves as overwhelming favorites to win the division again this year after a 13-3 regular season record and run all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2011.
The gap in the NFC West may not be as wide as some of the football experts would lead you to believe. The 49ers are certainly the most overall talented team in the division, but they are not going to sneak up on anybody this season and it is highly doubtful they will be able to generate the 38 turnovers they did last year.
The following is a link to my complete preview of all the teams in the NFC West in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book
2012 NFC West Odds & Preview
The gap in the NFC West may not be as wide as some of the football experts would lead you to believe. The 49ers are certainly the most overall talented team in the division, but they are not going to sneak up on anybody this season and it is highly doubtful they will be able to generate the 38 turnovers they did last year.
The following is a link to my complete preview of all the teams in the NFC West in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book
2012 NFC West Odds & Preview
Monday, August 13, 2012
2012 AFC West Odds and Prediction
Today we wrap-up our 2012 NFL divisional previews for the AFC with a look at the wild,wild, West. With Peyton Manning the new sheriff in town in Denver, the Broncos have been opened as the odds-on-favorites to win the division, but all three other teams are more than capable of making a run at the title.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC West for this season in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book
2012 AFC West Odds and Prediction
The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC West for this season in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book
2012 AFC West Odds and Prediction
Friday, August 10, 2012
2012 AFC South Odds and Prediction
In our continuing preview of every division in the NFL for the upcoming season, it is time to move onto the AFC South.
The Colts' dramatic fall from grace opened the door for Houston last season and the Texans remain a prohibitive favorite to win the South again this season. It is hard to argue against the Texans locking-up this division by Thanksgiving, but do not tell that to Tennessee, which is the only other legitimate contender in this two horse race.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC South in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book
2012 AFC South Odds and Prediction
The Colts' dramatic fall from grace opened the door for Houston last season and the Texans remain a prohibitive favorite to win the South again this season. It is hard to argue against the Texans locking-up this division by Thanksgiving, but do not tell that to Tennessee, which is the only other legitimate contender in this two horse race.
The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC South in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book
2012 AFC South Odds and Prediction
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 1 vs. Steelers
EaglesLincs is proud to announce that we have teamed up with Doc's Sports Service to bring you a complete preview and prediction for every Eagles game this season starting with Thursday night's Week 1 preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This ongoing series will aim to provide an in-depth analysis of each game while digging a bit deeper into the facts and figures that should have a direct impact on the final outcome of the game.
This will not be one of my typical homer pieces were I have the Birds winning week-in and week-out, rather an honest assessment of each week's matchup and a prediction based on the information as it presents itself.
I will post an introduction to each preview on this site and provide a direct link to the actual article as originally posted on Doc's Sports.
Below is a link to this Thursday night's game
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 1 vs. Steelers
This ongoing series will aim to provide an in-depth analysis of each game while digging a bit deeper into the facts and figures that should have a direct impact on the final outcome of the game.
This will not be one of my typical homer pieces were I have the Birds winning week-in and week-out, rather an honest assessment of each week's matchup and a prediction based on the information as it presents itself.
I will post an introduction to each preview on this site and provide a direct link to the actual article as originally posted on Doc's Sports.
Below is a link to this Thursday night's game
Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 1 vs. Steelers
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