$1000 FREEROLL TONIGHT for Eagles vs Browns! WinView is different than Fantasy Sports. You watch the game, make predictions pre-quarter, each drive & win CASH! Where Fantasy Ends, WinView BEGINS. So play with FantasyAlarm tonight https://www.fantasyalarm.com/
Philadelphia Eagles @ Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns -3.5
Games Total: 41.5
We have reached the dress rehearsal portion of the preseason, though it is fair to wonder how much of a dress rehearsal we will get to see with so many of the top weapons for both teams dealing with injuries. Nick Foles will start for the Eagles and play at least a half, but he will be without Alshon Jeffery and Jay Ajayi . In fact, Wendell Smallwood and Matt Jones will likely be the only two Philadelphia running backs to play Thursday. Nelson Agholor is questionable as well.
On the other side of the ball, Josh Gordon remains out for Cleveland, as is E.J. Gaines . Antonio Callaway , Seth DeValve and Julian Allen are questionable. It will be interesting to see how the Browns deploy their three running backs, though one would expect all three would get work with the starters.
Players to Watch
The Eagles may be the deepest team in the NFL, at least in terms of skill position players who are good enough to contribute in fantasy when given the chance. Dallas Goedert has been the talk of the preseason, and if he really is carving out a role for himself, he should see some work with Zach Ertz in the game and a ton of it when Ertz leaves. Mike Wallace would likely be the de facto number one wide receiver if Nelson Agholor is out, but 6’4” Mack Hollins had a ton of targets last preseason, and that could be the case again Thursday. Wendell Smallwood and Matt Jones have both seen moderate success in previous seasons, and it isn’t difficult to imagine them running roughshod over second and third-stringers in the second half.
All eyes will be on Baker Mayfield when Cleveland has the ball, even if he only plays for a quarter. If Nick Chubb is the third running back in this game, that could mean a lot of empty calories against Philadelphia’s backups. If Antonio Callaway is out, whoever starts opposite Jarvis Landry could get a lot of targets, especially if it is Damion Ratley or Jeff Janis .
Pre-Game Props
- The last non-kneeling offensive play of the 1st Quarter is a running play.
NO. We may see fewer running plays than in a typical preseason game because Philadelphia will likely only play two running backs. Cleveland has a better chance of running the ball quite a bit, but it’s not like Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde have anything to prove.
- Either team records 2 or more sacks in the 1st Quarter.
NO.These are two veteran quarterbacks who know how to get rid of the football, or in TyRod Taylor ’s case, run away when the pocket collapses. Nobody would be shocked if Myles Garrett got two sacks in the first quarter by himself, but I don’t think the Eagles want Nick Foles to take any more hits than is absolutely necessary while Carson Wentz remains questionable for Week 1.
- PHI outscores CLE in the 1st Quarter
NO.Cleveland is favored in this game, and No is getting better odds, so this is one of the easier calls of the night. It is reasonable to still expect Philadelphia’s starters to outscore Cleveland’s in the first quarter, but with all of the injuries to Philadelphia’s starters, I’m not expecting a whole lot from them early on.
- The first offensive play of the 1st Quarter is a completed pass.
NO.Maybe I’m just feeling negative today, but No seems more likely. It is probably roughly 50/50 if the first play is even a pass, and the odds go down when you add in that the pass has to be completed. The odds on Yes are good, but not good enough.
- PHI completes 3 or more passes on their opening drive
NO. Again, there is a decent chance the Eagles don’t even attempt three or more passes on their opening drive. Nick Foles is certainly capable, especially if they have a sustained drive, but I would need a better payout to go with Yes.
- CLE rushes for a 1stDown on their opening drive.
YES. All three of Cleveland’s running backs have looked good so far this preseason, and there is also a decent chance TyRod Taylor runs for a first down. If Cleveland is going to outscore Philadelphia in the first quarter, it will probably be on the back of its running game.
Player News
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.