Week 6 of the NFL season kicks off Thursday night as the youthful Philadelphia Eagles play host to the ageless wonder Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 44-year old Brady tossed five more touchdowns on Sunday to lead the Bucs (4-1) to a 45-17 romp over the struggling Miami Dolphins.
Philadelphia (2-3) enters Thursday’s game with momentum after a come-from-behind 21-18 win over Carolina on Sunday, ending a three-game losing streak after winning its season opener.
Game Odds
Sportsbooks has Tampa Bay pegged as a touchdown favorite in this one with -110 odds to cover the 7-point spread. On the Moneyline, the Bucs carry -320 odds, while bettors showing faith in the Eagles at pulling off the upset will have +260 odds.
BetUS has also placed the Over/Under at 51.5 points with -110 odds on either side of the number.
Fastest to 900
With seven receptions on Sunday, Tampa Bay wideout Antonio Brown became the fastest player in NFL history to log 900 career receptions. Playing in his 143rd career game, Brown now has 906 receptions for his career and also became the fifth player in league history to register 12,000 receiving yards in fewer than 150 career games.
Brown, who has experienced a rebirth, with Tom Brady and the Bucs, has 325 yards receiving on 20 catches and three touchdowns this season.
Better Late than Never
Philadelphia trailed Carolina from the opening drive until the closing minutes of the game on Sunday. Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts scored on a 6-yard rush with 2:38 in the game for the Eagles’ first lead of the game and the game-winning score.
It was Hurts’ second score of the game as he finished with 30 yards rushing to go along with 198 yards through the air. For the season, the second-year QB has passed for 1,365 yards with seven touchdowns and leads the team with 256 yards rushing and three more scores.
Not Slowing Down
At 44 years old, Tom Brady is primed for one of his most productive seasons of his First-Ballot Hall-of-Fame-career. Brady tosses five touchdown passes Sunday for the ninth time in his career and passes for at least 400 yards (411) for the 12 time in his career on Sunday while not throwing an interception.
For the season, Brady leads the NFL with 1,767 yards and is second in league with 15 touchdown passes.
Taking what the Defense Gives Him
Philadelphia rookie wide receiver Devonta Smith entered the league known for his home-run threat at any time while at Alabama. But so far through the first five games of the season, Smith’s longest reception is just 37 yards. But the rookie has been steady all season as he leads the team with 25 receptions and 314 yards.
Quez Watkins is second on the team with 267 yards, while Dallas Goedert (216) and running back Miles Sanders (214) all have over 200 yards receiving as well.
More Weapons
In addition to Brown, Brady also has Mike Evans (29 rec, 393 yards, 4 TDs), Chris Godwin (29-366-2), and running back Leonard Fournette (19-167) spread the ball around as well as Rob Gronkowski once he returns from a rib injury.
Trends
The two teams have split their last ten meetings.
The Over has hit in 5 of the last six matchups.
Tampa Bay is 0-4-1 against the spread in its last five games against NFC East teams, while Philly is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against teams from the NFC South.