NFL Thursday Night Preseason Preview: Week 2

Week 2 of the NFL preseason begins Thursday night with a double dose of games. The first game features a pair of quarterbacks coming back from injury when Cincinnati takes on New England, while in the second contest the Eagles play the Colts – but don t hold you breath on Mike Vick being in uniform or for a better special offer than the FREE $500 with a $500 deposit at BetUS!

Tom Brady’s preseason debut last week was a successful one, as his surgically renovated knee held up over the first 30 minutes in a 27-25 win over the Eagles. The Patriots were a 3-point visiting underdog on the NFL betting lines in that contest. Brady completed 10-of-15 passes with a pair of touchdown strikes to tight end Chris Baker and an interception. Expect for Brady to be on the field for about the same number of snaps Thursday night, as he gets his knee ready to sustain four quarters in the regular season.

The Bengals dropped their preseason opener 17-7 to the Saints as a 3-point underdog. The game wasn t a complete failure, though, as Carson Palmer saw his first game action since injuring his elbow last season. Palmer s arm showed its old life, as he completed 7-of-11 pass attempts for 133 yards. Chad Ochocinco had two catches for 73 yards, but Chris Henry was the top pass catcher with seven receptions for 100 yards and a TD. Palmer likely won t suit up on Thursday as he recovers from a mild ankle sprain, so backup QB J.T. O Sullivan and Carson s brother Jordan will split most of the play calling duties. With Palmer expected to miss the game Cincinnati is a 7-point road underdog.

The Eagles take to the field for the second time in the preseason Thursday night in Indianapolis, but it won t be the introduction of Vick in an Eagles uniform. It s already been announced that Vick won t play, so it will only be Donovan McNabb and A.J. Feeley under center as Kevin Kolb is out with an injured knee.

In their preseason-opening loss to the Patriots McNabb completed 11-of-18 pass attempts for 103 yards in the first two quarters. Brian Westbrook was sidelined for that game while offseason ankle surgery and he ll also be out Thursday. Westbrook s absence led to a solid debut for rookie LeSean McCoy, who ran for 55 yards on 10 totes.

Indianapolis began the preseason last week the comparable way they have the last four years by losing. The Colts lost to Minnesota 13-3 as a 3-point home underdog. Peyton Manning took only six snaps in the contest, while Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark sat out. The Colts regulars won’t see much action again Thursday night, which is why Indy is a 3-point home underdog on the NFL odds.