NFL-X Football – NFL Week Two Pre-Season Matchups
As we head into the second full week of the 2010 NFL preseason there are some interesting position battles heating up on all 32 NFL teams.
After one week, most nervous bettors and fans are hoping teams keep their stars out of the lineup entirely in Week 2. We already saw injuries of varying severity to Larry Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis, Ryan Grant, Ben Tate and Eli Manning and many more over the last week.
Will teams scale back their starters’ reps? Here’s a look at the Thursday and Friday matchups this week.
Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills
Thursday, August 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Bills -3.5
The Colts and Bills travel to Toronto for this matchup but the Canadian fans may be disappointed with the on-field product. The Colts, famous for protecting their stars, won’t give Peyton Manning and the first-team offense many reps, if any. They will give way to Curtis Painter and that’s bad news for anyone betting on the Colts this week. He was brutal against the 49ers in Week 1, going 9 for 19 with three picks.
Do the Bills give C.J. Spiller an extended look or rest him? Both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch went down with injuries last week and will miss the rest of the preseason. That means the Bills could install Spiller as the starting halfback and see what he can do this week or hold him back for the regular season.
New England Patriots @ Atlanta Falcons
Thursday, August 19, 8:00 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Falcons -2.5
The Falcons showed some promise in their preseason opener last week. Rookie Sean Weatherspoon made four tackles and Michael Turner looked healthy as can be in limited duty, amassing 29 yards on four carries.
Now their offense and their defense get a tougher challenge; the Patriots should be better than the Chiefs were last week given their roster depth. Now that Wes Welker looks like he’ll be ready for the regular season, the Patriots are using Julian Edelman as much as they want to.
He caught six passes for 90 yards in the preseason opener. Benjarvus Green-Elis and Laurence Maroney impressed in the backfield, too.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Cincinnati Bengals
Thursday, August 19, 8:00 p.m. ET
NFL betting favorite: Bengals -3
The Bengals are clear favorites at home to the Eagles since they’ve already played two preseason games and their backups have made strong impressions. Bernard Scott has shown Cincy is in fine hands if Cedric Benson goes down; Scott ran for 65 yards on just eight carries last week. Rookie wideout Jordan Shipley has the Bengals wondering if they can cut Antonio Bryant; Shipley caught five balls for 50 yards last week.
Andy Reid and the Eagles probably want to get a few more reps in for their next big thing, Kevin Kolb. He didn’t turn over the ball but he completed just 54.5 per cent of his passes in Week 1. If he struggles, Michael Vick will breathe down his next. Vick threw for 119 yards and ran for 50 more on six carries last week.
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