Neither the Buffalo Bills nor the Philadelphia Eagles looked very good in its NFL preseason opener and even though it doesn’t count, both will look for at least more offense when the teams square off Thursday night in the City of Brotherly Love. So let’s review the game info, NFL preseason betting odds and other info surrounding this match and pick a winner for all football fans looking to get it on the action.
After removing Watkins from the equation, Taylor now has to operate with rookie Zay Jones, veteran Anquan Boldin and a slew of wideouts competing for playing time behind them. Matthews will have to learn the offense from the sideline.
Buffalo’s best lineman, Glenn, will sit again. He received an injection on his injured left foot this week and is considered week-to-week by the team. Glenn flew to Wisconsin to have the procedure, which was done by specialist Dr. Bob Anderson. Glenn previously visited Anderson in Charlotte earlier this month to receive a second opinion on his sore left foot, which has affected him all training camp. A second-round pick in 2012, Glenn has started 72 games for Buffalo since his rookie season. He signed a five-year, $65 million extension in May of 2016.
Buffalo at Philadelphia Week 2 NFL Preseason Betting Lines
When: Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 PM ET Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia TV: Local only (NFL Network replay) Radio: Sirius XM Radio Stream Option: NFL Game Pass Opening NFL Preseason Lines: Eagles -4 (39.5) GAMETIME WEATHER Mostly Cloudy 28°C/82°F Humidity 64% Precipitation % 1% Cloud Cover 61% Wind 8 mph SSE Stadium Type OpenPreseason Openers
Buffalo lost its NFL preseason opener 17-10 at home to Minnesota. Buffalo starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played three series and hit 5 of 8 attempts for 46 yards. At least Buffalo’s starting defense played well for two series. Jerry Hughes and backup defensive end Eddie Yarborough each had sacks. RB LeSean McCoy (rest), LT Cordy Glenn (left foot), CB Kevon Seymour (foot) and DE Shaq Lawson (groin). Philadelphia lost 24-9 in Green Bay last week. On the bright side, starting QB Carson Wentz was 4 for 4 for 56 yards and a score on his first series, eluding a potential sack and burning the Packers on third and fourth downs. Big offseason free agent addition Alshon Jeffery, the former Bears receiver, didn’t play. Philly’s offense turned it over three times in the second quarter with backup quarterback Matt McGloin behind center.First Game Since Trade
Last week the Bills stunned everyone by trading No. 1 receiver Sammy Watkins to the Rams and No. 1 cornerback Ronald Darby to these Eagles. Buffalo got WR Jordan Matthews back from the Eagles but Matthews is hurt already. Matthews sustained a chip fracture in his sternum during his first practice with the club, according to an official announcement made by the Bills on Monday so he won’t play here. One of the appeals in the Bills trading for Matthews was that he would have a better chance of staying healthy than Watkins, who has missed 11 games the past two seasons and been hampered by injuries in others. Since entering the league, Matthews has missed only two games — both in 2016. As a result, his production (225 catches, 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns) has been higher than Watkins’ (153 catches, 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns).
After removing Watkins from the equation, Taylor now has to operate with rookie Zay Jones, veteran Anquan Boldin and a slew of wideouts competing for playing time behind them. Matthews will have to learn the offense from the sideline.
Buffalo’s best lineman, Glenn, will sit again. He received an injection on his injured left foot this week and is considered week-to-week by the team. Glenn flew to Wisconsin to have the procedure, which was done by specialist Dr. Bob Anderson. Glenn previously visited Anderson in Charlotte earlier this month to receive a second opinion on his sore left foot, which has affected him all training camp. A second-round pick in 2012, Glenn has started 72 games for Buffalo since his rookie season. He signed a five-year, $65 million extension in May of 2016.
