posted August 13, 2007 at 18:52 in NFL Free Picks
NFL Preseason Betting – Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Baltimore Ravens tonight in a preseason matchup between two teams that each have legitimate Super Bowl hopes for 2007.
Let’s take a look at each team, followed by my free NFL Betting Pick:
Philadelphia Eagles – 2006 preseason record: 2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS
The Eagles ranked second in the NFL last season in offensive yardage and finally recognized Brian Westbrook as the full-game, Marshall Faulk-like dual threat running back that he is.
The Eagles season will once again ride heavily on the performance – and health – of starting quarterback Donovan McNabb who was lost early last season to a torn ACL.
If Philadelphia can shore up their often porous run defense, while getting a full season out of McNabb and Westbrook, Philadelphia will once again be in the postseason and could find themselves playing for something much bigger than a conference title.
Baltimore Ravens – 2006 preseason record: 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS
With the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, not to mention many others, the Baltimore Ravens have long been one of the league’s best defensive teams.
This year, the Ravens have made some changes to their offense that they hope will put them over the top in the tough AFC.
New starting running back Willis McGahee will give the Ravens their most explosive running back since Jamal Lewis was an almost literal runaway train a few seasons ago. Another dimension that McGahee gives the Ravens is the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Baltimore will be without sure-fire Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden for a couple of weeks as he rebounds from a recent toe injury.
The loss of linebacker Adalius Thomas will sting a bit, but the truth is, if any team could afford to lose an All-Pro linebacker and not miss a beat, it is the Baltimore Ravens.
Analysis: The Eagles’ McNabb will not play at all tonight as the team gives him more time to fully recuperate from last year’s torn ACL. Though the Ravens won’t play their aging starting quarterback (Steve McNair) much, I like the Ravens and their stout defense to keep the Eagles’ young players from making many trips to the end zone tonight. As an aside, reports out of Baltimore say backup Kyle Boller has been performing very well in camp.
NFL Free Picks: Ravens 17 Eagles 10
07:00 PM EST NFL Odds
Pre-Season Week 1
The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!
Sign-up or Login now