Chip Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles will take in round two of 2013 NFL Preseason action on Thursday night as they host the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field. Tomorrow's showdown between the Eagles and Panthers, which features at 42 point game total, is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm ET. NFL Odds at 5Dimes have the Eagles listed as a -3 against the spread (-115 odds or $115 wins $100) home favorite.
The Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia opened with a 31-22 loss to the Patriots last Friday night, but not everything was bad for the Eagles.
Philly finished the game with 25 first downs and 452 total yards and Michael Vick, who is still battling for the starting job, looked really sharp in his limited reps. Vick completed 4-of-5 passes for 94 yards and he connected with DeSean Jackson on 47 yard touchdown pass on the Eagles opening drive.
Vick's primary challenger, second year pro Nick Foles, completed 5-of-6 passes for 43 yards while rookie Matt Barkley connected on 11 of his 22 pass attempts for 103 yards. Barkley also hit Greg Salas on a 12 yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter; the hook up would mark Philadelphia's only second half score.
For all the talk about Kelly's up-tempo offense, the Eagles kept things in neutral most of the game, especially with Vick under center. The lack of speed and ingenuity makes sense considering the circumstances, but the offense figures to be more diverse tomorrow night and next week. It will be critical for Kelly to see what his quarterbacks can do running the offense he wants to employ against live competition.
Carolina won its preseason opener 24-17 over Chicago, but it was hardly impressive in doing so. The Panthers, who posted just 292 yards in the win, turned the ball over four times and one of their giveaways, a first quarter Cam Newton interception, was returned 51 yards for a touchdown.
Carolina quarterbacks combined to go 16-for-30 for 200 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Panthers rushing attack was toothless as well with the team amassing a paltry 92 yards on 32 carries (2.9 yards per carry).
Last week's victory improved Ron Rivera's preseason record to 4-5 straight up and 5-4 against the spread.
2013 NFL Preseason Carolina Panthers vs Philadelphia Eagles:
Carolina Panthers +3 (-105), Over 42 (-110)
Philadelphia Eagles -3 (-115), Under 42 (-110)
NFL Win Totals: Philadelphia Eagles
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