Don’t expect to see presumptive New York Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown in their final NFL preseason betting game against the Philadelphia Eagles – and not just because it’s a throwaway game. Other than the first possession of the first preseason game, McCown has not played at during the preseason; not even in the all-important third game. Moreover, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty have been getting the lion’s share of the reps during practice. Head coach Todd Bowles’s rationale? “(McCown) has played in a lot of preseason games.” This is the kind of non sequitur that led Steve Lichtenstein of CBS New York to label the Jets “clueless.”
- Date: Thursday, 31st August
- Time: 7:05 PM
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sportsbook online NFL preseason odds:
Eagles +1 (-110) 36 (-110)
Jets -1 (-110) 36 (-110)
Trapped In A Dilbert World
Did the Pointy-haired Boss take over as Jets general manager? While McCown is running gassers during practice, Hackenberg started for the second straight week though he clearly wasn’t ready – as evinced by the fact that the Giants’ defense was outscoring the Jets’ offense 16-13 at halftime on Saturday. Hackenberg went 8-for-15 for 60 yards with two pick-sixes in two quarters versus the Giants, and had previously finished 2-for-6 against the Lions. However, to an outside observer it would appear as Hack was Bowles’s first choice for the starting QB spot (a choice which should be made Monday or Tuesday at the latest). Lichtenstein posits the theory that Bowles set up the QB competition “to be about as open as a Russian presidential election … possibly following orders from above.” Meanwhile, Petty threw three touchdown passes against the Giants backups before leaving in the fourth with a Grade 1 MCL sprain after offensive lineman Ben Braden rolled onto his left leg, and could play on Thursday’s preseason finale against Philly. Here he is throwing one of those TD passes.
I’ll Never Forget a Defensive Tackle Named Beau
Speaking of injured players who could play in the final NFL preseason betting game, Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen passed a physical and will be removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list.
#Eagles DL Beau Allen passed his physical today, so he's coming off the PUP list. He's returning from a torn pec from the offseason
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2017
Barring any unforeseen event, Allen should be able to play a few series on Thursday. Also expected to start against the Jets is quarterback Matt McGloin. Starting QB Carson Wentz’s preseason is effectively over as he waits for the regular season kick-off, and backup Nick Foles is “day to day” with a nagging elbow and Dane Evans is a camp arm. When asked if Foles would play in this Thursday’s NFL preseason betting game, head coach Doug Pederson had this to say: “Not yet. It’s getting better, obviously. He’ll be getting in some throwing against this week. But I don’t want to rush him back.” Foles’s status could redound to the benefit of McGloin who was for all intents and purposes auditioning for the rest of the league. Now there’s a good chance he could become Wentz’s backup for the rest of the season.