NFL Preseason Week 4 Thursday Night Football Previews

Football betting doesn’t get more challenging than trying to find a solid side during Week 4 of the NFL preseason. With the first teams sitting, starting jobs still up for grabs, and roster spots on the line, the final week of tuneup tilts is tough to get a handle on and Thursday night has a ton of NFL action. Click here to bet on NFL football at BetUS online sportsbook

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-3, 34)
Terrell Owens was back at practice this week but will not play in Thursday’s finale against the Lions. Head coach Dick Jauron was tight-lipped about how much his starters will play, but bettors can expect to see a lot of second stringers like QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Xavier Omon, who has impressed the team with his ability on the ground as well as in the flat.

The Lions are still juggling QBs. The recent injury to third-stringer Drew Stanton forced the team to grab former Patriots backup Kevin O’Connell and veteran Brooks Bollinger. Daunte Culpepper has missed practice this week with a cut toe but is expected to get some snaps Thursday night. Rookie Matthew Stafford will start and play the first quarter against the Bills.

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks (-3, 36)
The Seahawks aren’t expected to play their starters against the Raiders on Thursday night. That isn’t much of a change for Seattle – which has had its first teams decimated by injuries this preseason. The biggest hit has been to the offensive line, which will be missing major components this season. Seahawks backers won’t get any more looks at newly-acquired RB Edgerrin James until the regular season. He and Julius Jones will sit out Thursday’s action.

Oakland plans on going with reserve QBs Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye. However, there is a chance No. 2 QB Jeff Garcia could take some snaps. Coach Tom Cable told reporters there are about five roster spots still unspoken for heading into the preseason finale and expects to see those players fighting hard for a job.

Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (+3.5, 36)
The Brandon Marshall saga continues in the Mile High City. Reports from the team say the New York Jets made a play for the suspended WR. However, the Broncos did not bite on the offer and will keep Marshall on the sidelines for this final game of the preseason. Quarterback Kyle Orton is out with a sprained finger and backup Chris Simms is still out with an ankle sprain. That leaves Denver with rookie Tom Brandstater for Thursday’s game.

Matt Leinart has solidified his spot as the No. 2 QB in Arizona after a solid preseason. He is nursing a sore shoulder but the team has not ruled out the USC product for Thursday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters that he would like the see Leinart play with the injury to dismiss past claims that the former Heisman winner was soft. With injuries to WRs Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston, don’t expect Leinart to have much to throw to if he does play against Denver.