NFL Preseason Week 2: The Bengals and Patriots will meet at 7:30pm ET tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The skirmish will mark the second preseason game for each squad and the first home game for the Patriots in the young exhibition schedule. Online bookmaker Sportsbook.com is anitcipating a New England whitewash as Bill Belichick's team is a -7 against the spread favorite in their NFL Preseason Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots NFL Picks, Odds & Predictions.
Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis' squad lost their first preseason foray 17-7 to the Saints in New Orleans. Carson Palmer took the field for the first time since week four of the 2008 regular season. He completed 7-of-11 passes for 133 yards and an interception. The USC product injured his ankle in the loss and is not expected to play against New England.
Given Palmer's past health issues, Lewis and his staff will be keeping a close eye on the signal caller's backups, which include Palmer's brother Jordan and Forty-Niners cast-off J.T. O'Sullivan. The younger Palmer was also 7-of-11 last week with an interception. O'Sullivan, who began last season as the starting quarterback in San Francisco, was 9-of-11 for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Carson Palmer inidcated he has confidence in either player to get the job done should he go down in the regular season.
"Both (Palmer and O'Sullivan) have improved a ton," Palmer said. "J.T. can play, he's played everywhere he's been, and Jordan's gotten drastically better. [Tonight] will be a good chance to see them against No.1s."
New England Patriots: The Pats won last Thursday night 27-25 against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Tom Brady was the big story for New England as he suited up for the first time since wrecking his knee against the Chiefs last season. The former MVP had a solid outing, completing 10-of-15 passes for 100 yards. He also had two touchdown passes and an interception.
Brady lobbied with Belichick to start the game, suggesting he needed to get in a live action situation.
"You can't duplicate [a real game] on the practice field," Brady said. "I need the work."
In addition to shaking off some rust, Brady just wanted a chance to enjoy himself on the girdiron after such a long hiatus.
"There's no place I'd rather be [than on the field]," Brady said. "This is the place I probably have the most fun."
Cincinnati Bengals +7 (-110), Over 36.5 (-110), +260 (Moneyline)
New England Patriots -7 (-110), Under 36.5 (-110), -320 (Moneyline)
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