Indianapolis Colts 3 Point Home Underdogs Against Eagles

NFL News - August 20th, 2009 - Written by Bruce

The Indianapolis Colts will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night in the second preseason game for both teams. Betting lines have the visiting Eagles listed as 3 point road favorites over the Colts. In Indianapolis' first preseason game this year they struggled greatly against the Minnesota Vikings. Quarterback Peyton Manning was sacked three times in only six plays of action in a 13-3 loss. The Eagles looked much better in their preseason opener, losing an exciting contest against the Patriots 27-25. For tonight's game, Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell is expected to play his starters for about 20 plays. Andy Reid has said that he will play the Eagles' starters for the first half tonight. The Over/Under for tonight's contest is set at 36.5 points. To find out more about the betting odds on tonight's preseason games, be sure to visit BetUS Sportsbook.

There is no question that Peyton Manning is hoping to rectify the Colts offensive struggles from their first preseason game. Including the backups, Indianapolis allowed six sacks in 37 offensive snaps. Manning is campaigning with coach Caldwell to get more playing time for tonight's game, hoping to get a rhythm going for the Colts offensively. The Colts have shaken up their offensive line a bit this off season, which may have led to their inability to block in their game against New England. Last year the Colts won their final games of the regular season which earned them a playoff birth. Peyton Manning won his third NFL MVP Award, which ties him with Brett Favre for the most all time. With the loss of longtime Colts WR Marvin Harrison this off season, Anthony Gonzalez will need to step in and have a big season as the Colts No. 2 receiver. Indianapolis is hoping that rookie Donald Brown can provide them a boost in the running game. Brown may see few more carries in tonight's game than he did in the team's first game. The Colts are 11-2 in their last 13 games after coming off a double digit loss. This could bode well for them staying within the three points in tonight's game against the Eagles.

Even though the Eagles lost their preseason opener, they looked good accounting for 420 yards of total offense. The Philadelphia quarterbacks combined to throw for more than 300 yards. In tonight's preseason game, the Eagles will be without seven of their starters. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook and backup quarterback Kevin Kolb are both not expected to play. Only one of the Eagles' starting offensive lineman is expected to play tonight as well. The Eagles are expected to play the rest of their starters for approximately one half tonight. Head coach Andy Reid is not looking to take his starters out very early tonight, as he wants to see the Eagles build some rhythm in the team's second preseason game. A blitz happy Philadelphia defense could give a Colts offensive line that struggled in their first game some major problems tonight. The Eagles will need to get off to a good start with their first team tonight if they are going to cover the three point spread on the road.

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