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Thursday 8/31/17 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
- Thread starter Pesos
- Start date
Week 4 NFL Preseason Primer
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-3.5, 38)
About the Rams
The Rams will not be playing any of their starters on Thursday. Look for Sean Mannion to start at quarterback with Dan Orlovsky backing him up.
About the Packers
The Packers also are not expected to play any of their starters on either side of the ball Thursday against the Rams. QB Brett Hundley, who’s taken the bulk of preseason snaps, is expected to start for Green Bay. He’s completed 67 percent of his passes for 383 yards on 55 attempts.
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 38)
About Jaguars
Jags head coach Doug Marrone told reporters he has a plan for starters playing time on Thursday against the Falcons but he won’t reveal it until Wednesday to the players. It shouldn’t be a shock to see both Blake Bortles and Chad Henne see some action in this game. Jacksonville is just as confused as bettors are as to what to do at the quarterback position.
About the Falcons
Atlanta is 0-3 straight up and against the spread this preseason and the team will not be sending any of its starters onto the field against the Jags. The Falcons are 2-0 SU but 0-2 ATS in Week 4 preseason games under head coach Dan Quinn.
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Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2, 36.5)
About the Bengals
It’s a tradition under head coach Marvin Lewis that the Bengals starters don’t play in Week 4 of the preseason. It’s also a tradition to play the Colts in their final tune-up before the start of the regular season. The Bengals are 3-1 straight up and against the number against Indy in Week 4 of the preseason.
About the Colts
The Colts are expected to play any of their starters on Thursday and for good reason. CB Vontae Davis became the latest long-term injury to a significant contributor on the team. Center Ryan Kelly and quarterback Andrew Luck are the other two players missing in action for the Colts of note.
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Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets (-1, 36)
About the Eagles
The assumption is starting QB Carson Wentz will stay on the sidelines for the Eagles along with the rest of the club’s first teamers. Backup quarterback Nick Foles hasn’t practiced because of an illness. That leaves Matt McGloin and Dane Evans as the two signal callers left on the depth chart. Expect to two to split the offensive snaps on Thursday.
About the Jets
Head coach Todd Bowles is hinting he might play his starters some against the Eagles. QB Josh McCown was named the Week 1 starter earlier this week but he hasn’t seen a lot of action so far this preseason. Expect to see a limited cameo from McCown and a few other Jets starters in the first series or two.
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Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 35.5)
About the Redskins
Washington will rest all of its starters and backup quarterback Colt McCoy isn’t expected to see any game action either. Third stringer Nate Sudfeld will start under center and is expected to play the entire game.
About the Buccaneers
TB’s starters won’t play on Thursday and backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may only get a series or two. The bulk of action is expected to go to Sefo Liufau, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado. Liufau, fourth on the team’s QB depth chart, isn’t expected to make the Bucs final 53-man roster.
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-4, 37.5)
About the Steelers
Ben Rothlisberger and the rest of the people at the top of the depth chart won’t see any game time against Carolina. Backup quarterback Landry Jones isn’t expected to play either according to the Observer-Reporter in Pittsburgh. Third stringer Joshua Dobbs, the rookie out of Tennessee should play the first three quarters with Bart Houston taking over the mop-up duties in the fourth.
About the Panthers
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera won’t rule Cam Newton and the rest of the first team offense out for Thursday’s game. Newton played just one series in his preseason debut last week against the Jags and he’s making noise about wanted to get a few more snaps in the preseason finale. The former league MVP is coming off a March surgery on his throwing shoulder and didn’t participate in the spring OTAs.
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New York Giants at New England Patriots (-3, 38)
About the Giants
The Giants plan to rest many - but not all of their starters - in Foxborough on Thursday. Eli Manning won’t play and neither with Odell Beckham who’s still recovering from an ankle injury. Geno Smith and Josh Johnson are expected to split the quarterback duties in the first half and Davis Webb will take over in the second half.
About the Patriots
The Patriots are expected to rest their starters against the G-Men meaning bettors should see a little bit of Jimmy Garoppolo and lots of Jacoby Brissett.
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Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings (-3, 38)
About the Dolphins
Most Miami starters won’t play against Minny including quarterback Jay Cutler. Backup QB Matt Moore is expected to start with David Fales and possibly Brandon Doughty splitting the snaps once Moore is pulled.
About the Vikings
Traditionally, as you can tell, starters rest in the fourth week of the preseason. Vikes coach Mike Zimmer is thinking about punting on the custom. That’s because he’s not too happy with his first team offense after some subpar showings this preseason. He’s considering playing the starters, presumably for a series or two, against the Fish – but he says he hasn’t made up his mind yet.
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Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints (-2.5, 37)
About the Ravens
Don’t expect to see any Baltimore players on the field you can recognize. QB Joe Flacco has resumed throwing after injuring his back in the first week of training camp. He will not, however, play in New Orleans and neither will backup Ryan Mallett.
About the Saints
Drew Brees will not play in this game which means Chase Daniel should start at quarterback. Ryan Nassib, the team’s fourth string QB, will likely play the second half.
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Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears (-3, 36)
About the Browns
Cleveland coach Hue Jackson says he hasn’t decided if his starters will get any game action against the Bears. He also isn’t certain who has the backup QB job heading into the regular season. Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan are all still in the mix. Those four should get the bulk of snaps in Chicago.
About the Bears
The Bears will start rookie QB Mitch Trubisky on Thursday and Connor Shaw will assume the backup duties. Starting quarterback Mike Glennon and veteran Mark Sanchez will both have the night off.
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Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 38)
About the Titans
Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey says all his players, including his starters, will play against on Thursday. This is a departure from Mularkey’s plan used last preseason when he rested his first teamers in Week 4.
About the Chiefs
The Chiefs won’t play their starters on Thursday which means QB Patrick Mahomes II gets the start. The rookie first round pick has looked solid in the preseason so far throwing for 207 yards while completing 25 of his 38 pass attempts.
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Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (-2.5, 36)
About the Cardinals
This is the Cards fifth preseason game and starting quarterback Carson Palmer and the rest of the first stringers will not play on Thursday. Expect to see lots of Blaine Gabbert in this one.
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Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)
About the Chargers
Philip Rivers won’t play in this one and neither with the rest of the first team offense and defense. Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is expected to see the lion’s share of snaps under center for the Chargers.
About the 49ers
The Niners will rest most of their starters including quarterback Brian Hoyer according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Expect C.J. Beathard and Matt Barkley to split the snaps under center for the 49ers.
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Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders (+1.5, 40)
About the Seahawks
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll says some of his starters could play including running back Thomas Rawls. Quarterback Russell Wilson played the first series last year in Week 4 of the preseason before getting the hook.
About the Raiders
The Raiders aren’t expected to play their starters on Thursday including quarterback Derek Carr. Connor Cook and EJ Manuel will split the work under center for Oakland.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-3.5, 38)
About the Rams
The Rams will not be playing any of their starters on Thursday. Look for Sean Mannion to start at quarterback with Dan Orlovsky backing him up.
About the Packers
The Packers also are not expected to play any of their starters on either side of the ball Thursday against the Rams. QB Brett Hundley, who’s taken the bulk of preseason snaps, is expected to start for Green Bay. He’s completed 67 percent of his passes for 383 yards on 55 attempts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 38)
About Jaguars
Jags head coach Doug Marrone told reporters he has a plan for starters playing time on Thursday against the Falcons but he won’t reveal it until Wednesday to the players. It shouldn’t be a shock to see both Blake Bortles and Chad Henne see some action in this game. Jacksonville is just as confused as bettors are as to what to do at the quarterback position.
About the Falcons
Atlanta is 0-3 straight up and against the spread this preseason and the team will not be sending any of its starters onto the field against the Jags. The Falcons are 2-0 SU but 0-2 ATS in Week 4 preseason games under head coach Dan Quinn.
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Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2, 36.5)
About the Bengals
It’s a tradition under head coach Marvin Lewis that the Bengals starters don’t play in Week 4 of the preseason. It’s also a tradition to play the Colts in their final tune-up before the start of the regular season. The Bengals are 3-1 straight up and against the number against Indy in Week 4 of the preseason.
About the Colts
The Colts are expected to play any of their starters on Thursday and for good reason. CB Vontae Davis became the latest long-term injury to a significant contributor on the team. Center Ryan Kelly and quarterback Andrew Luck are the other two players missing in action for the Colts of note.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets (-1, 36)
About the Eagles
The assumption is starting QB Carson Wentz will stay on the sidelines for the Eagles along with the rest of the club’s first teamers. Backup quarterback Nick Foles hasn’t practiced because of an illness. That leaves Matt McGloin and Dane Evans as the two signal callers left on the depth chart. Expect to two to split the offensive snaps on Thursday.
About the Jets
Head coach Todd Bowles is hinting he might play his starters some against the Eagles. QB Josh McCown was named the Week 1 starter earlier this week but he hasn’t seen a lot of action so far this preseason. Expect to see a limited cameo from McCown and a few other Jets starters in the first series or two.
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Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 35.5)
About the Redskins
Washington will rest all of its starters and backup quarterback Colt McCoy isn’t expected to see any game action either. Third stringer Nate Sudfeld will start under center and is expected to play the entire game.
About the Buccaneers
TB’s starters won’t play on Thursday and backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may only get a series or two. The bulk of action is expected to go to Sefo Liufau, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado. Liufau, fourth on the team’s QB depth chart, isn’t expected to make the Bucs final 53-man roster.
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-4, 37.5)
About the Steelers
Ben Rothlisberger and the rest of the people at the top of the depth chart won’t see any game time against Carolina. Backup quarterback Landry Jones isn’t expected to play either according to the Observer-Reporter in Pittsburgh. Third stringer Joshua Dobbs, the rookie out of Tennessee should play the first three quarters with Bart Houston taking over the mop-up duties in the fourth.
About the Panthers
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera won’t rule Cam Newton and the rest of the first team offense out for Thursday’s game. Newton played just one series in his preseason debut last week against the Jags and he’s making noise about wanted to get a few more snaps in the preseason finale. The former league MVP is coming off a March surgery on his throwing shoulder and didn’t participate in the spring OTAs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Giants at New England Patriots (-3, 38)
About the Giants
The Giants plan to rest many - but not all of their starters - in Foxborough on Thursday. Eli Manning won’t play and neither with Odell Beckham who’s still recovering from an ankle injury. Geno Smith and Josh Johnson are expected to split the quarterback duties in the first half and Davis Webb will take over in the second half.
About the Patriots
The Patriots are expected to rest their starters against the G-Men meaning bettors should see a little bit of Jimmy Garoppolo and lots of Jacoby Brissett.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings (-3, 38)
About the Dolphins
Most Miami starters won’t play against Minny including quarterback Jay Cutler. Backup QB Matt Moore is expected to start with David Fales and possibly Brandon Doughty splitting the snaps once Moore is pulled.
About the Vikings
Traditionally, as you can tell, starters rest in the fourth week of the preseason. Vikes coach Mike Zimmer is thinking about punting on the custom. That’s because he’s not too happy with his first team offense after some subpar showings this preseason. He’s considering playing the starters, presumably for a series or two, against the Fish – but he says he hasn’t made up his mind yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints (-2.5, 37)
About the Ravens
Don’t expect to see any Baltimore players on the field you can recognize. QB Joe Flacco has resumed throwing after injuring his back in the first week of training camp. He will not, however, play in New Orleans and neither will backup Ryan Mallett.
About the Saints
Drew Brees will not play in this game which means Chase Daniel should start at quarterback. Ryan Nassib, the team’s fourth string QB, will likely play the second half.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears (-3, 36)
About the Browns
Cleveland coach Hue Jackson says he hasn’t decided if his starters will get any game action against the Bears. He also isn’t certain who has the backup QB job heading into the regular season. Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan are all still in the mix. Those four should get the bulk of snaps in Chicago.
About the Bears
The Bears will start rookie QB Mitch Trubisky on Thursday and Connor Shaw will assume the backup duties. Starting quarterback Mike Glennon and veteran Mark Sanchez will both have the night off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 38)
About the Titans
Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey says all his players, including his starters, will play against on Thursday. This is a departure from Mularkey’s plan used last preseason when he rested his first teamers in Week 4.
About the Chiefs
The Chiefs won’t play their starters on Thursday which means QB Patrick Mahomes II gets the start. The rookie first round pick has looked solid in the preseason so far throwing for 207 yards while completing 25 of his 38 pass attempts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (-2.5, 36)
About the Cardinals
This is the Cards fifth preseason game and starting quarterback Carson Palmer and the rest of the first stringers will not play on Thursday. Expect to see lots of Blaine Gabbert in this one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)
About the Chargers
Philip Rivers won’t play in this one and neither with the rest of the first team offense and defense. Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is expected to see the lion’s share of snaps under center for the Chargers.
About the 49ers
The Niners will rest most of their starters including quarterback Brian Hoyer according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Expect C.J. Beathard and Matt Barkley to split the snaps under center for the 49ers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders (+1.5, 40)
About the Seahawks
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll says some of his starters could play including running back Thomas Rawls. Quarterback Russell Wilson played the first series last year in Week 4 of the preseason before getting the hook.
About the Raiders
The Raiders aren’t expected to play their starters on Thursday including quarterback Derek Carr. Connor Cook and EJ Manuel will split the work under center for Oakland.
