Steve Starr
- Philadelphia is a 4.5-point home underdog versus Indianapolis on Thursday
- Colts rookie Anthony Richardson will draw his second start of the NFL preseason
- The game kicks off from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA at 8:00pm ET
This week’s game between Philadelphia and Indianapolis promises to be more interesting than most NFL preseason contests after the two clubs engaged in a fiery brawl at joint practice on Tuesday. Eagles center Jason Kelce expressed remorse for starting the brawl, but unlike his brother Travis, at least he was shoving members of the other team.
Before we check the odds on that matchup and the other games this week, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2023.
Thursday’s Preseason Slate
 | Spread | Total Points |
| Indianapolis Colts | -4.5 (-114) | Ov 38 (-110) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +4.5 (-106) | Un 38 (-110) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | -4.5 (-115) | Ov 38 (-110) |
| Atlanta Falcons | +4.5 (-105) | Un 38 (-110) |
Eagles cover versus Colts
Philadelphia is a 4.5-point home underdog on Thursday night. The Eagles tied Cleveland 18-18 last Thursday and lost to the Ravens 20-19 in week 1 of the preseason. Jalen Hurts skipped both of those matchups, so there’s a chance he suits up for a series or two. Hurts’ former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen announced that rookie Anthony Richardson will draw the start for Indianapolis.
The No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft hopes to improve on a shaky debut against Buffalo a few weeks back where he went 7-of-12 for 67 passing yards and an interception. We’ll take Philly to cover the 4.5, keeping it close for a third-consecutive week.
Anthony Richardson had a DIME that was dropped 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Kmv9Ld2YWC
— PFF (@PFF) August 12, 2023
Steelers stomp Falcons
Pittsburgh is a 4.5-point road favorite in Atlanta in Thursday’s other preseason contest. Kenny Pickett is expected to see his third-straight preseason start following two impressive performances where he went a combined 9-of-11 for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
The Steelers manhandled both the Buccaneers and Bills in their past couple outings and Mike Tomlin is 33-29-1 all-time in the preseason, showing that he at least cares some. With Arthur Smith’s plan for his Falcons starters still unknown, we’ll take Pittsburgh and the points.
Friday’s Preseason Games
| Spread | Total Points |
| Detroit Lions | +4.0 (+101) | Ov 37 (-110) |
| Carolina Panthers | -4.5 (-121) | Un 37 (-110) |
| New England Patriots | -2.0 (-110) | Ov 38.5 (-110) |
| Tennessee Titans | +2.0 (-110) | Un 38.5 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +7.5 (-114) | Ov 37.5 (-110) |
| San Francisco 49ers | -7.5 (-106) | Un 37.5 (-110) |
Panthers pounce on Lions
Detroit is a 4-point road dog to the Panthers. After getting hit on three of his seven drop backs against the Jets in his preseason debut, Bryce Young was sacked by the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux last Friday. Frank Reich is 8-6 career against-the-spread in the exhibition season after two losses in a row. Meanwhile, despite all of his bluster and bravado, Dan Campbell usually takes it easy in the preseason with a 2-5-1 ATS mark. We’ll take Carolina to cover.
every single Bryce Young dropback pic.twitter.com/jSv6SUmSDK
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 19, 2023
Patriots punish Titans
Tennessee is a 2-point underdog at home to New England. Both clubs are 1-1 this preseason, but Bill Belichick has a far superior preseason winning percentage than his former player and defensive protégé Mike Vrabel. Keep an ear out for news on the playing statuses of starting QBs Mac Jones and Ryan Tannehill, but we’ll roll with the Patriots +2 for now.
Chargers cover against SF
San Francisco became a heavy 7.5-point home favorite over the Chargers when Kyle Shanahan announced that the 49ers’ starters would play in their final preseason game. Brock Purdy will see his first action since tearing the UCL in his throwing elbow against the Eagles in the NFC Championship. However, that’s a lot of points for a meaningless contest that could go either way. We’ll take the Chargers to keep in close.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
