The NFL is… kind of back now with training camps in full swing, the Hall of Fame ceremonies done and the first “game” in the books.
It might not be the standard we remember from last season’s playoffs but at least there’s a bunch of guys running around in familiar looking jerseys.
Let’s be honest, preseason games can be a bit of a drag, especially after the first quarter when it’s a bunch of guys who will be serving burgers or working at car washes next month.
But one way to do hold your interest is to have some sort of investment in the outcome of the game, although we should strongly advise to treat preseason the same way teams do, as a warm up for the regular season.
We’ve found four plays for Week 1 of the NFL Preseason that are worth looking into if you want to warm up for the season proper.
There’s plenty of reunions taking place with the Patriots visiting Patriots North however you have to think that based on the history of both teams, the final scoreline will mean more to one side than the other. Don’t be surprised if this turns into the Brian Hoyer/Jarret Stidham show for the Patriots with Tom Brady standing on the sideline hoping for someone to give him a high-five. Some sides can afford to treat preseason with utter contempt while others like the Lions need every edge they can get.
As we continue through the preseason, backing the under is going to be a pretty common play. The Titans aren’t that good offensively when their starters play a whole game so you can imagine what the backups are going to be able to do (or not do). As for the Eagles, their first string offence should be able to move the ball but we probably won’t see them for more than two drives if anything so I’m happy to back the under.
While the Eagles-Titans game has one bad offence, this one will have two taking to the field. With backup quarterback Robert Griffin III already injured and starter Lamar Jackson’s style not really conducive to extensive preseason snaps, it could be a lot of rookie Trace McSorely and there’s a reason he was picked by Baltimore instead of a side that might view him as a legitimate starting option. If both sides make double digits in this game it would be a huge surprise considering Jacksonville could be too busy arguing with themselves to put together a good performance.
If someone calls this the “Super Bowl 48 Rematch” you have permission to slap them because this is nothing like the Seahawks 43-8 victory in New Jersey. Of course the Seahawks are at a slight disadvantage here considering this is their second preseason outing after the Hall of Fame Game last week. It means we might see a bit more of Joe Flacco and company so I’ll back Denver in this one to win and cover the line.