The best sportsbooks favor the best team. And if winning the Super Bowl makes you the best, then no wonder the Eagles are three-point faves against the Pittsburgh. Of course, this is a preseason game. That means that any metrics you use to measure one team up against another go out the window. For instance Eagles QB Carson Wentz will be nowhere to be seen. Sure, he wasn’t there when Philly beat the Patriots either. But his trusty backup Nick Foles will most likely sit this one out as well. That leaves us with Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan, with the former surely getting the lion’s share of the snaps. Similarly, Big Ben won’t be chiming in on Thursday. Instead we will see Landry Jones, Josh Dobbs, and Mason Rudolph in action. Though head coach Mike Tomlin has not yet “determined how I’m going to utilize them.”
Betting Pittsburgh
Unlike Jones, Rudolph has never played a regular season betting game. And unlike Dobbs, he has never played a preseason game. Dobbs completed 38 of 64 attempts for two touchdowns and three picks in two starts and four games last preseason. Additionally, he finished the preseason with seven carries for 34 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Rudolph passed for 13,267 yards with 90 TDs and 26 picks in four years in Oklahoma State. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Sammy Baugh Trohpy. Also, he was a Third-team All-American, Second-team All-Big 12, and Second-team All-American in 2017.
However, as Coach Tomlin added, “a quarterback’s ability to secure the football really doesn’t get tested until they play preseason football in-stadium.” Rudolph “hasn’t been hit” during practice, but “There will be attempts to hit him on Thursday night.” Additionally, this game might help shed light on who the Steelers’ third-string tight end is going to be. Jesse James and Vance McDonald are competing for the starting gig. But someone like Xavier Grimble could add depth to the position.
Betting Philadelphia
Sudfeld will be in a similar situation as Rudolph. He has been in the NFL longer than the rookie, but doesn’t really have that much more experience. And one could say the only reason he was promoted to No. 2 QB was Wentz’s injury. However, the Eagles do see potential in the 24-year-old. Therefore, he has been getting reps with the first team lately. Not only will Sudfeld get plenty on in-game action this preseason, but we can expect him to play his heart out. If not for Philly, for himself. He will be a restricted free agent following the 2018 season. Thus, he will be eager to catch some eyes, whether local or from out of town. “I’m sure I’ll get some reps, not sure how they’re going to spread them out,” Sudfeld said. “But I’ll be ready to go. I’m really excited about it.” The best sportsbooks are excited as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Odds and Betting information
- Date: August 9
- Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
Sportsbook odds by Intertops Sportsbook:
- Pittsburgh Steelers +3 -110 o +135 o Ov 33½ -102
- Philadelphia Eagles -3 -110 o -155 o Un 33½ -118
Best sportsbooks betting trends
- The Steelers are 3-2 SU in their last five games.
- The Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
- The total has gone over in six of the Steelers last six games.
- Philadelphia is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
- Philadelphia is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games
