The Eagles played reasonably well in their first pre-season game at Pittsburgh. Reports in local papers has clearly under scored the positive tone of this team. McNabb is having one of his best pre-season camps and the team has an attitude that they are NOT done yet – referring to another run at the Super Bowl. RB Westbrook has signed on for 3 year more years at 21 million, but the Eagles need to develop/find more offensive weapons. This will be a game to explore and define who these players will be. The AiS shows a 72% probability that the Eagles will win this game by 3 or more points and grades as a 3* MAJOR. Supporting this play is a strong winning system that has produced a record of 29-9 ATS for 76% since 2002. Play on all teams where the line is +3 to -3 after 1 or more consecutive losses against the spread, in the third week of the preseason. Here is a second winning system that has produced a record of 43-17 ATS for 71% since 2002. Play on any team after 1 or more consecutive losses against the spread, in the third week of the preseason.

Eagles will be even more focused on defense and in particular the defensive line. Jerome McDougal was drafted in the first round out of Miami in 2003, but he ha splayed in just 33 of a possible 18 games to date. He didn't play a single snap last season because of a torn triceps. Two years earlier, he missed the entire season after being shot in a robbery attempt on the eve of training camp. He did play 3 quarters in the first game at Pittsburgh and he will get another long look Thursday night. He did get consistent pressure on the QB throughout those three quarters and is now considered to have the potential to make the team.

If another defensive end, Victor Abiamiri, who has a broken wrist, goes on injured reserve, then McDougal’s chances of making the team go up significantly. At the same time, Darren Howard can play both tackle and end, which seemingly gives him an edge. It will be all decided on the field in the next several weeks so look for spirited and intense play from the Eagles defense that will dominate Carolina’s 2nd and 3rd string offense. Take Philadelphia.