Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/16/2018

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Gillette Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots on Thursday, August 16, 2018. The opening line for this game has New England as 1 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 40. The Eagles had an ATS record of 12-6-0 last season while their over/under record was 9-9-0. The Patriots had an over/under record of 8-10-0 and they were 12-6-0 against the spread.

Valuable Philadelphia Eagles Betting Trends

The Philadelphia Eagles were 9-9-0 against the over/under last season

The Philadelphia Eagles were 12-6-0 against the spread last year

Important New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots were 8-10-0 against the over/under last season

The New England Patriots were 12-6-0 against the spread last year

Key Philadelphia Eagles Injuries

08/03/18 WR Alshon Jeffery Shoulder is probable Thursday vs Atlanta
08/03/18 DE Brandon Graham Ankle PUP
08/03/18 WR Shelton Gibson Concussion is "?" Thursday vs Atlanta
08/03/18 DT Tim Jernigan Back is "?" Thursday vs Atlanta
06/29/18 LB Nigel Bradham Suspension 1-game Suspension ( elgible to return 9/16 vs Tampa Bay)
04/21/18 QB Carson Wentz Knee is "?" Thursday vs Atlanta

Key New England Patriots Injuries

08/03/18 WR Malcolm Mitchell Knee is "?" Sunday vs Houston
08/01/18 WR Jordan Matthews Hamstring IR
07/04/18 WR Julian Edelman Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/04 vs Indianapolis)

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Philadelphia Eagles were 3rd in the NFL in points scored with 457 last season. They ran 1,073 plays last year for 5,852 yards, which ranked them 7th in the league in total offense. The Eagles averaged 5.5 yards per play, which was 9th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 338 1st downs last year, placing them 4th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Philadelphia ran for 2,115 yards as a team, which ranked 3rd in the NFL. They ran 473 times last year, averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Eagles were penalized on offense 116 times for 962 yards last season, which had them 7th in the league in penalties. Carson Wentz threw for 3,296 yards last season. He completed 265 passes on 440 attempts for a completion percentage of 60.2%. His quarterback rating last year was 101.9. He averaged 7.5 yards per pass attempt and 12.4 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Philadelphia was 4th in the league in points allowed on defense with 295 last year. They surrendered a total of 4,904 yards on D, which was 4th in the NFL. The Eagles were ranked 9th in yards per play allowed with 5. Their pass defense gave up 5.7 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 8th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 363 passes on 601 attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles defense last season, placing them 26th and 31st in the National Football League. The Philadelphia pass defense also gave up a total of 3,637 yards through the air, which was 17th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 337 attempts for 1,267 yards last year, putting them in 1st place in the league against the run. The Eagles committed 101 penalties for 917 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 18th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 27.1% of possessions on defense, which was 2nd in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Philadelphia was ranked 24th in the league in punt returns last season with 29. They accumulated 259 punt return yards and averaged 8.9 yards per return, which was 12th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 76 yards. They returned 18 kicks for 354 yards on special teams, ranking 32nd in kick return yardage. The Eagles averaged 19.7 yards per kick return and had a long of 35 yards last year. They were 13th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,695. The Philadelphia Eagles attempted 34 field goals last season and made 29, which was 16th in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 85.3%. Philadelphia Eagles kickers made 91% of their extra points, going 40 for 44 last year. Their punters totaled 3,033 yards on 68 punts, averaging 44.6 yards per punt. That placed them 18th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots ran for 1,889 yards as a unit last year, which ranked 10th in the league. They ran 448 times, averaging 4.2 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots were penalized on offense 95 times for 835 yards last season, which had them 26th in the NFL in penalties. They were 2nd in the National Football League in points scored with 458. They ran 1,070 plays last year for 6,307 yards, which ranked them 1st in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots averaged 5.9 yards per play, which was 3rd in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 389 1st downs last season, ranking them 1st overall as an offensive unit. Tom Brady completed 385 throws while attempting 581 passes for a completion percentage of 66.3% last year. He passed for 4,577 yards. He averaged 11.9 yards per completion and 7.9 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 102.8.

Defensive Statistics

The Patriots rush defense gave up 390 attempts for 1,836 yards last season, putting them in 20th place in the NFL against the run. They had 111 penalties for 1,035 yards on defense last year. That placed them 27th in the league. They allowed a score on 30.2% of possessions on defense, which was 6th in the NFL. New England was 5th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 296. They gave up a total of 5,856 yards on D, which was 29th in the league. The Patriots were 28th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense allowed 6.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 367 throws on 590 attempts against the New England defense last season, ranking them 28th and 30th in the league. The New England Patriots pass defense also surrendered a total of 4,020 yards in the air, which was 30th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New England Patriots tried 40 field goals last season and made 37, which was 4th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 92.5%. New England kickers made 96% of their extra points, going 45 for 47 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,515 yards on 58 punts, averaging 43.4 yards per punt. That ranked them 27th in the NFL in punting average. New England was 18th in the NFL in punt returns with 32 last year. They totaled 263 punt return yards and averaged 8.2 yards per return, which was 17th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 40 yards. They returned 28 kicks for 622 yards on special teams, placing them 19th in kick return yardage. The Patriots averaged 22.2 yards per kick return and had a long of 103 yards last season. They were 4th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 7,393.

Who will win tonight's Eagles/Patriots NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Eagles +1

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