NFL picks: No team in pro football surprised fans and handicappers as much as the Philadelphia Eagles as first year head coach Chip Kelly led the team to an unexpected playoff berth. The Eagles will now use the preseason as a platform to continue their building project and improve upon a defense that was a liability to their Super Bowl aspirations last year. The New England Patriots laid a stink bomb last week in their exhibition opener but nobody is worried about this team and its playoff prospects. The Patriots will host the Eagles at Gillette Stadium on Friday night with coverage on NFL Network starting at 7:30 PM ET.
Skinned in Opener
The Patriots are coming off a 23-6 loss at the Washington Redskins in their preseason opener as 2.5 point road dogs with the game staying under the total of 38.5. Washington dominated the game with a 26-15 first down advantage. Washington controlled the clock with a 39:12 time of possession. The Redskins had a 177-63 yard advantage on the ground. Tom Brady did not play in the game for the Pats as second round draft pick Jimmy Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois had a promising debut passing for 9/13 with 157 yards and a TD. Ryan Mallett was not as impressive as he went 5/12 for 55 yards.
Eagles Lose Shootout in Opener
The Philadelphia Eagles lost their preseason opener at the Chicago Bears 34-28 as 1 point road favorites with the game going over the total of 41.5. The Eagles played four quarterbacks in the game and threw for a combined total of 283 yards but did suffer with three interceptions that proved to be the difference in the loss. GJ Kinne was 8/10 passing for 88 yards, Mark Sanchez was 7/10 for 79 yards, Matt Barkley struggled with 7/16 for 73 yards with a TD and a pick, and number one QB Nick Foles was 6/9 for 44 yards with two INT’s. The defense was lit up for 399 yards passing.
Our Pick
The Eagles have gone over the total in four out of five preseason games with Kelly as coach while the Pats are 49-28 over the total in preseason games under Coach Bill Belichick. We like this one over the total.
