Colts vs. Eagles Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Eagles were forced to settle for an 18-18 tie with the visiting Cleveland Browns in NFL preseason Week 2 action, and are now winless straight up and against the spread in six August home dates since 2018. The Colts travel to Philadelphia on the heels of their first preseason win of the season, a 24-17 victory over the visiting Chicago Bears, but they have fallen to defeat in two straight preseason contests on the road.
The Colts have emerged as 4.5-point road favourites on the NFL preseason Week 3 odds, and the total is pegged at 38.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Thursday night’s matchup at Lincoln Financial Field marks the first preseason meeting between these squads since 2016. The Eagles have claimed victory in their past two August dates with Indy, including a lopsided 36-10 win when the Colts last visited the City of Brotherly Love back in 2015. The last two preseason meetings between these squads have been relatively high scoring, with an average total of 56 points being scored in those contests, fuelling a 3-0 run for the OVER.
Indianapolis Colts
After enjoying last weekend’s 24-17 victory over the Bears from the sidelines, Anthony Richardson is expected to start for the Colts in Thursday’s preseason finale. The No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft has produced unspectacular results in his lone preseason appearances to date, going 7-for-12 for 67 yards for no scores and one pick in the Colts’ 23-19 loss in Buffalo two weeks ago.
However, Richardson should benefit for the chance to connect with his corps of starting receivers on Thursday, including Michael Pittman Jr., who has yet to see playing time this preseason and second-year receiver Alec Pierce, who has been touted as likely replacement for the now departed Parris Campbell. While the Colts arrive in Philadelphia on a high, they must avoid any off-field disruptions caused by Jonathan Taylor’s late arrival at camp. The star rusher made headlines by demanding a trade last month, and his late arrival means he will not be in the lineup on Thursday. With Zack Moss also sidelined after recently undergoing surgery, auditions for jobs in the backfield will continue, with the likes of Kenyan Drake, Evan Hull, and Deon Jackson all expected to get long looks.
Philadelphia Eagles
According to reports, Jalen Hurts has shown in this week’s joint practices with the Colts. However, it remains unclear just how much playing time the Eagles star quarterback will see in Thursday’s preseason finale. With Hurts watching from the sidelines, Philadelphia pivots have been far from spectacular through the first two weeks of preseason action, completing just 51.4 per cent of pass attempts and connecting on just one total scoring pass.
However, it would come as no surprise to see rookie passer Tanner McKee get another long look on Thursday. The former Stanford Cardinal has drawn praise for his performance in camp, while veteran Marcus Mariota has struggled in his bid to nail down the job as Hurts’ backup. Whoever is under centre should benefit from limited appearances by starting receivers like AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, while rusher D’Andre Swift will aim to build on a solid 24-yard performance in his first brief appearance in the Eagles’ 20-19 loss to Baltimore in NFL preseason Week 1.
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