Ravens Eagles Betting – NFL “Dream Team” Debuts Against Ravens Thursday
They have been called the “Dream Team”, and they haven’t even lined up for a preseason snap yet. So is the nature of the NFL following the longest lockout in the history of the sport, as NFL betting lines fans can’t wait for their favorite teams to get on the field. The Philadelphia Eagles made the biggest splash in the brief free agency period that followed the lockout, and will look to test out their new weapons in their first game of the 2011 NFL preseason when they host the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens @ Philadelphia Eagles
Thursday August 11, 2011 – 7:30 PM ET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NFL Betting Line: Philadelphia Eagles – 2.5
While the Eagles added several key free agents with the signings of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin, and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, the Ravens will look much more like the team that lost to the eventual AFC Champions in last year’s divisional matchup. The championship window hasn’t closed in Baltimore, but for veterans like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, they know the time is now.
NFL Betting Preview: Baltimore Ravens
Lewis and Reed likely won’t see much playing time on Thursday if any, but you can count on both men being on the sidelines pumping up a young second team that will be looking to plug holes this regular season. The Ravens have not aggressively pursued any free agent wide receivers following the release of Derrick Mason, which means the team will have an eye on a group of youngsters including David Reed, Torrey Smith, and rookie Tandon Doss in hopes that one can emerge this preseason. Haruki Nakamura and Bernard Pollard are expected to battle for playing time, and they should push one another as the defense takes shape.
NFL Betting Preview: Philadelphia Eagles
We likely won’t see a lot of Michael Vick in the first preseason game, but another free agent addition should see plenty of time in his backup Vince Young. Young comes over from the Tennessee Titans with mixed reviews, but will have every chance to revive his career as a backup behind Vick. The Eagles may have added a ton of big names in free agency, but they still need to solve important sports betting issues along the offensive and defensive lines. With the additions of Asomugha and Domenique Rodgers-Cromartie in the secondary, cornerback Dimitri Patterson will have to prove where he belongs, and there should be plenty of other motivated players on both sides of the ball.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
There is no question that the Eagles have the depth, they have the home fans behind them, and they have a winning mentality as they look to start their Super Bowl run now. There are still a ton of question marks for both teams this early in camp, but Philadelphia will play with more sports betting bonus urgency as they look to set the tone with such a big spotlight on their offseason activity.
