NFL best bets: Backing the backups for Eagles-Browns

This is an interesting week when betting NFL preseason football, as the teams that face off all have taken part in joint practices together. The lone game tonight is the Browns and Eagles, and the two squads faced off on the practice field both Monday and Tuesday.

Reports suggest things got chippy on Tuesday, so we may be in for a physical game with teams on separate sidelines and nothing holding them back. For Cleveland, this is preseason game number three, while Philadelphia is suiting up for just the second time.

Don't expect the starters to be playing at all for the Browns; their team site has already reported as much. As for the Eagles, Jalen Hurts and the starters did not sniff the field in their first game, and Nick Sirianni's staff has been known to be light in August on the players in both practice time and preseason plays. We're anticipating backups only from our vantage point.

We've mentioned the importance of backup quarterbacks, and of course that matters again here. Cleveland will be starting rookie fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has been very efficient this preseason. The Browns are hopeful DTR, as we will henceforth abbreviate him, can be Deshaun Watson's backup. Expect a big dosage of DTR here as they look to give him valuable snaps.

For Philadelphia, Marcus Mariota should start, and rookie Tanner McKee will see action too. McKee flashed in their first game, securing his roster spot, and Philly will likely want to see more of what he can do.

So, what is our bet? We're going small-brained here. DTR is known for his mobility, and the Eagles defense seems well-equipped to guard such a player, given how often they've seen Hurts and Mariota this summer.

How's that for analysis? Works for us.
 
Betting: Eagles -3.5 (-110 DraftKings)

In the news ...

BMW Championship tees off today — The second FedEx Cup playoff event began this morning at Olympia Fields. Ahead of the tournament, it's Rory McIlroy as the +650 favorite, with the winner of two straight, Lucas Glover, set at 45-1. If you're looking for a longshot, consider backing Adam Svensson at +210 to finish in the top 20. Svensson has been gaining strokes off the tee and with his approach, and if he could just get steadier putting, could be a threat to be in the mix by Sunday afternoon.

Christopher Morel walk-off sends Wrigley into a frenzy — ICYMI, Christopher Morel's walk-off three-run shot for the Cubs was the highlight of the night. With that win, Chicago is now tied for the final wild-card spot in the National League. The Cubs have been building momentum over the past few weeks and currently sit at -125 to make the playoffs.

Steelers WR George Pickens gaining a lot of praise ahead of second season — George Pickens was known best as a downfield threat in his rookie season, and all reports suggest the receiver has taken a leap this summer. That's exciting news, especially considering how much fun we had betting on him last year. Pickens should be on your radar for early-season props, and consider his season-long receiving yards total, set at just 750.5 yards.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll