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NFL Football is back. Unfortunately, we have to sit through three weeks of preseason football games, but at least there is something that football betters can gamble on.
Thursday night, we have the Pittsburgh Steelers heading to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Kick-off for this game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Steelers were able to play in the Hall of Fame game last week against Dallas, but this will be Philadelphia’s first time on the field. The in-state rivalry game, known as the Battle of Pennsylvania, will only be played during the preseason in 2021.
Steelers vs. Eagles Preseason Betting Lines
TV: NFL Network
MONEY LINE: Steelers (+100) vs. Eagles (-120)
SPREAD: Steelers +1 (-107) vs. Eagles -1 (-113)
GAME TOTAL: Over 36 (-105) vs. Under 36 (-115)
Steelers vs. Eagles Betting Preview
The Steelers will look to grow after beating the Dallas Cowboys during the Hall of Fame game. While they were not the most efficient on the offensive side of the ball, they were dominant on defense. The Steelers will also be using this game to try and figure out their quarterback room to try and solidify Roethlisberger’s backup.
The Steelers currently have both Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins Jr. suiting up. A problem most teams would beg for, the Steelers need to figure out which of these two quarterbacks will be their emergency starter. Both quarterbacks have NFL starts as well as success under center.
The Eagles enter their first full season without Carson Wentz, who has been their quarterback since 2016. Jalen Hurts was able to get a few starts last season when Wentz went down with an injury, but that pressure will be at an all-time high when he is named their regular-season starter.
The Eagles were able to land him some help when they drafted wide receiver DeVonta Smith. A top wide receiver in the previous draft, Smith looks to come in and instantly make a huge difference in the offensive product Philadelphia is putting on the field.
Both teams have a very solid defense. The Steelers were a top-five defense all year last year, and they did not seem to lose any key pieces going into this season. The Eagles were a little closer to the middle of the pack, but a few key injuries stopped them from really being effective.
Steelers vs. Eagles Picks Preseason Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 20 – Philadelphia Eagles 15
EXTRA POINTS
1. This quarterback battle is important due to Ben Roethlisberger’s inability to stay on the field, having played all 16 games just one time in the last six seasons.
2. The University of Alabama will have two of the best rookies on the field Thursday night, with DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris battling it out on opposing teams.
3. The Steelers’ offensive line was solid in the Hall of Fame game, not allowing a sack to Mason Rudolph. Something they must really work on this season and use these preseason games to fine-tune for the health of their veteran quarterback.
Best Bet: Pittsburgh Steelers Moneyline +100
The Washington Football Team will travel to New England to take on the New England Patriots on Thursday night in the second preseason game tonight.
Washington won the NFC East a season ago, but it wasn’t exactly a great year for the team. This team bowed out in the first round of the NFL Playoffs, but they will enter this season with some momentum.
New England did not make the playoffs in 2020, the first season without the services of Tom Brady. The Patriots had a number of players opt out of the year as well, but New England will be in the playoff hunt again in 2021.
WFT vs. Patriots Preseason Odds
TV: NFL Network
MONEY LINE: WFT (+100) vs. Patriots (-120)
SPREAD: WFT +1 (-108) vs. Patriots -1 (-112)
GAME TOTAL: Over 37 (+100) vs. Under 37 (-120)
WFT vs. Patriots Preseason Week 1 Preview
Washington still has some question marks at the quarterback position, and that should get figured out in the preseason. Kyle Allen is not expected to play in this game, but that will give some other players a chance.
Head coach Ron Rivera wants his team to be solid on the defensive side of the ball, and that focus worked in 2020. There are few teams in the league that can get after an opposing quarterback like the Washington Football Team.
New England has a quarterback battle brewing as well between a former league MVP and a rookie sensation. Both Cam Newton and Mac Jones should get reps in this game, and both will be looking to prove their value.
The Patriots also want to take control of games with their defense, and they will be looking to slow down Washington on Thursday night. New England usually rests its top players in the preseason, but this team can’t afford to wait around.
NFL Preseason games are usually pretty sloppy on both sides of the ball, especially late in games. This is a matchup of two potential playoff teams, but there isn’t a ton of depth on the two rosters.
How to Bet on NFL Touchdown Props
WFT vs. Patriots Preseason Predictions
New England did not have a good season in 2020, and head coach Bill Belichick will want to make up for that in a hurry. The Patriots aren’t traditionally a great preseason team, but they will be locked in on Thursday night.
The defenses for each team are going to control this matchup, but it will be the Patriots that find the most offense and come away with a win.
Patriots 17 – Washington Football Team 14
Best Bet: Patriots -1 (-112)
Read our 2021 NFC East preview, 2021 AFC East preview and 2021 AFC North preview.
