The New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their 2022 preseason campaigns when they square off at Lincoln Financial Field Friday night.
The Jets will look to start the year on a high note after a disappointing first season under Head Coach Robert Saleh. New York finished with a 4-13 record and learned little about the long-term prospects of quarterback Zach Wilson, who was generally ineffective in his rookie season.
Things should be looking up for New York after an impressive offseason, which was highlighted by a draft class that was universally applauded by analysts around the league. Wilson won’t have many excuses, outside of a potentially fractured offensive line (more on that later), if he doesn’t take a sizable step forward in Year 2, especially given the playmakers now at his disposal.
The Eagles were a surprise playoff team in 2021, sneaking into the final Wild Card spot in their first season under Head Coach Nick Sirianni. Still, questions continue to surround quarterback Jalen Hurts, who will also need to take a step forward through the air now that A.J. Brown has arrived to complement DeVonta Smith.
We shouldn’t expect to see much of that trio in this game, as Hurts played just 10 total snaps last preseason. This game will likely be decided by the backups.
Let’s take a look at the odds before getting into our New York vs Philadelphia best bets and betting tips.
Jets vs Eagles Odds
Bookmakers don’t seem to know what to do with this game as you can catch both the Jets and Eagles as short underdogs at various sportsbooks, according to our NFL odds.
I can’t imagine there are many people looking to middle an NFL preseason game, especially since that middle would have to be a tie, but looking at last year’s 31-31 meeting between these two teams could convince a few people to go for it.
Jets vs Eagles Implied Score
Jets 17.75, Eagles 17.75
At the time of writing, Caesars Sportsbook has set the total for this game at 35.5 points. The spread is currently a pick’em, so bookmakers don’t have a lean in this one as these two teams get their first run out of the year.
Jets vs Eagles Pick of the Day
Read more on this Jets vs Eagles bet below.
Jets vs Eagles Matchup
Saleh said on Monday that the Jets’ starters will likely play a series or two against the Eagles before giving way to the backups and third-stringers. That means we should see Wilson, rookie running back Breece Hall, and top wideouts Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and rookie Garrett Wilson on offense for New York.
Sirianni was much more secretive about his plans for the game when asked about it on Sunday, but there’s a chance that Hurts and the Philadelphia starters could see limited action, as well. Still, we should expect backup Gardiner Minshew and rookie Carson Strong to see the majority of the snaps under center.
Jets vs Eagles Prediction
Jets 27, Eagles 17
Despite being a bad football team last season, this Jets roster is surprisingly deep.
New York has multiple backup quarterbacks that you can trust in Joe Flacco and Mike White, the latter of whom threw for 405 yards in his electric NFL debut against the Bengals last season. They also have ample playmakers at running back, receiver, and tight end for those quarterbacks to work with.
The only potential issue is the offensive line, which already lost right tackle Mekhi Becton to a season-ending knee cap injury. Still, as a perennial bottom-feeder, the Jets have the feel of a franchise that needs to rack up some preseason wins to right the ship from last year and build some confidence heading into the regular season.
Philadelphia has a solid bunch of second stringers on its roster, with Minshew handing off to Kenneth Gainwell and throwing to a receiving corps of Zach Pascal, Jalen Reagor, and Greg Ward. That unit should be able to put some points on the board, but ultimately, the Jets should pull this one out.
Jets vs Eagles Bet Tips
The Jets were 2-0-1 in the preseason last year, while the Eagles were 0-2-1. Before last year’s 31-31 tie, the Jets had beaten the Eagles in three of their last five exhibition meetings.
Jets vs Eagles Best Bets
Over 35.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
Preseason games are generally low scoring, but these two teams should have some offensive continuity heading into Year 2 under their current regimes. They also have two of the better backup quarterbacks in the league in Flacco and Minshew, both of whom have plenty of experience.
I think there will be enough playmakers on the field to get us Over this number. Back these two offenses as your NFL pick of the day.
Jets Moneyline (+100) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
I think the Jets are the deeper team in terms of talent on both sides of the ball. They also have a boatload of pass rushers, including rookies Jermaine Johnson and Michael Clemons, who should be able to cause some havoc and force some key stops in the second half.
