Chip Kelly’s Eagles will swoop into the not so frozen tundra of Lambeau Field looking to show their offseason acquisitions off against a snake bitten Packers outfit that just learned it will be without the services of Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson for the foreseeable future.
ODDS
Green Bay opened as a 3-point home favorite for this contest, but due to Philly looking dominant in a pair of preseason games, the line has since plummeted to a pick ‘em.
Though it’s likely Mike McCarthy looks to take it easy in this one having already lost one of his key offensive cogs, the total has remained at 49.5 since the open.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Sam Bradford made his debut in an Eagles uniform last week. After completing 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards and remaining in the game after absorbing a couple of questionable hits, it was largely a success.
Even with players dropping left and right on other teams, it would be a huge disservice to Bradford if Kelly didn’t allow his No. 1 starter to get some more work in this dress rehearsal. Playing scared isn’t an option at this level. Look for him to go through the first half, and for the trio of either Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley, and Tim Tebow to close it out.
Last season, Aaron Rodgers got ample time under center in the Packers third preseason game. Whether that remains the case in this one is still unclear; especially after Nelson went down last week.
Still, you have to imagine he’s going to log some snaps here as he attempts to get on the same page with Davante Adams and whomever else the offense throws out there in an attempt to replace nelson.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Dating back to last season, Philadelphia is now a perfect 4-0 straight up and against the spread in its last four preseason games. They’ve outscored their opponents 144-55 in those contests, so it’s safe to say Kelly takes these exhibitions seriously and will likely due so once again in this dress rehearsal for the regular season.
In splitting their first two preseason games, Green Bay checks in an even 19-19 in the 38 preseason games it’s played under McCarthy’s watch. It’s basically been a flip of the coin backing Green Bay in the preseason, and with the team looking to be extra cautious this week, it doesn’t bode well for them in this matchup.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It’s part of what being a good running back is all about," Kelly said on Monday. "It is vision, it is his ability to make people miss. On both returns for touchdowns there’s been a couple of unblocked guys that he’s made miss. You can’t block them all coming down the field. But the unblocked guys he’s made miss and then on both plays got to where we were trying to get it returned and it was blocked up pretty good." – Chip Kelly on former Oregon Duck Kenjon Barmer’s ability to excel on special teams and be the team’s fourth running back.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
With Nelson out of commission, it opens the door for another pass catcher to be installed into the starting lineup. Randall Cobb and Adams move up in the rotation, which leaves it up to rookie Ty Montgomery and second year player Jeff Janis to impress the coaching staff these next two weeks.
INJURIES
Zach Ertz is the only notable Eagles starter that won’t suit up for this one as he looks to recover from a groin injury. The team is hopeful the tight end will be ready to kick off the season against Atlanta.
In case you live under a rock and haven’t read anything up above, Jordy Nelson is done for the year after tearing his ACL.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The betting line for this one has swayed in the visiting Eagles direction in a big way, and I have to say I agree with the line movement. The only thing Green Bay should look to do in this one is get some looks to their young wide receivers and make it a point to get out of dodge 100 percent healthy.
This game means absolutely nothing to them, but that’s not the case for Philly who looks to be playing on a completely different level than the other 31 teams in the league the last two weeks.
Philly is a popular pick to win Super Bowl 50 as their opening odds to do so have nearly been cut in half from +2200 to +1493 at the time of this writing. Green Bay should have no problem lying down like dogs here. They can lose a couple battles here and there, but it’s the war that matters most.
Eagles 31 Packers 20
The NFL lines for this Saturday game were first available at BookMaker sportsbook. The Packers were pegged as 3-point chalk while the total opened at 49.5. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The Week 3 preseason matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will go down Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 8 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field.
