[Tommy]

Alex Davis' weekly football betting column gives you his opinions on tonight's two NFL pre-season games.

Steve McNair saw limited action at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in their preseason opener last week, but in his brief time on the field he gave the team’s fans a glimpse of what he brings to the table. McNair capped off a 12-play, 80-yard drive in the first quarter with a six-yard TD run, which at the time gave the Ravens the game’s lead.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, though, that was the only major score they’d be able to muster in the contest, as they dropped a 17-16 decision to the New York Giants. McNair went 4-of-5 for 45 yards passing in the game. Last year’s starter (and this year’s probable backup) Kyle Boller went a solid 12-for-18 for 100 yards in the losing cause.

But it’s going to be McNair that Baltimore will peg its hopes on this season. The Ravens acquired the veteran quarterback from the Tennessee Titans in the offseason after suffering through a 6-10 campaign in 2005. And although McNair can still scramble now and then, the team is hoping his addition will serve to spark the team’s passing attack.

Watch for McNair to see more time on the field on Thursday night, when the Ravens host the Philadelphia Eagles in their Week 2 preseason game. Baltimore will want to keep the oft-injured pivot healthy for the start of the season, but they also need him to get in sync with top targets Derrick Mason and Todd Heap before the contests count.

The Eagles rebounded from their loss in the Hall of Fame Game by topping the Cleveland Browns 20-7 last week. Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb was solid again in limited playing time versus Cleveland, completing 7-of-9 pass attempts for 78 yards. However, it was backup Jeff Garcia who tossed the Eagles’ lone TD pass, a 32-yard strike to Darnerien McCants in the third quarter. Garcia went 8-for-11 for 125 yards.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook didn’t play versus Cleveland, and he’s expected to sit out the rest of the preseason to rest a sprained foot. Ravens RB Jamal Lewis saw his first action of camp against the Giants, and rushed for 34 yards on six attempts in the loss.

The oddsmakers have gone with the home side in this one, but not by much. The Ravens are currently set as the standard 3-point favorites at M&T Bank Stadium, while the game’s total is sitting at 34 points. Kickoff is set for 8:00pm ET on Thursday night.

Thursday’s other contest sees the Giants playing host to the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium. Also an 8:00pm ET start, New York is currently listed as a 3.5 point home favorite, with a total of 35 points. And while New York opened their exhibition sched with that win over the Ravens, the Chiefs fell 24-14 on the road versus Houston.

Trent Green only threw six passes for Kansas City in that loss, completing five of them for 34 yards in the air. Former CFL pivot Casey Printers went just 6-of-12 for 71 yards passing and an interception in the game, while Brodie Croyle missed the contest with a shoulder injury. Croyle remains listed as Out Indefinitely heading into the Week 2 game.

The Chiefs’ offense, though, will be relying on RB Larry Johnson to move the ball like he did last season. With Priest Holmes seemingly out of the picture (he has yet to be given medical clearance to play football), Johnson will have to prove that last season’s big numbers weren’t a fluke. In last week’s loss he rushed for 30 yards on seven carries.

The Giants have a big-time running back of their own, but Tiki Barber was a healthy scratch in their preseason opener. Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who is recovering from a concussion, was also held out of the Week 1 contest. Neither offensive player is likely to see significant time during the exhibition schedule, although Barber will play Thursday.

Also on New York’s infirmary report are wide receiver Sinorice Moss, wide receiver Amani Toomer, and linebacker LaVar Arrington. Moss has a hamstring injury, and has seen limited action in training camp. Toomer is also dealing with a sore hamstring, and missed some practices this week. Arrington sat out the opener nursing a knee injury.

The Giants are hoping that everyone will be back and healthy for the start of the regular season; until then they’ll just be trying to give starting QB Eli Manning the time and tools he needs to be ready for their opener. Manning went 4-of-7 for 74 yards against the Ravens, and is scheduled to start and play into the second quarter versus the Chiefs.

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