Week 2 of the 2018 NFL preseason kicks off Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET as the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LII. The Patriots are 3.5-point home favorites, with the over-under for total points scored set at 43. Before you make your Eagles vs. Patriots picks, listen to what SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh has to say.

When it comes to the Pats and Eagles, Oh is especially hot, going 14-5 on picks involving New England and 10-4 on picks involving Philadelphia. That includes the Super Bowl, a game the Eagles won 41-33. Oh nailed Super Bowl picks on the point spread (Philly +5.5) and money line (Eagles +200).

We can tell you he's leaning toward the over for the Eagles-Patriots rematch Thursday, but his much stronger play is on the side. He's sharing it over at SportsLine.

Oh knows neither team played its star players in their preseason openers, and the results were vastly different.

The Eagles were trounced by the in-state rival Steelers 31-14 last Thursday. The Eagles sat quarterbackss Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, and Nate Sudfeld tossed two touchdowns and two interceptions. Wentz still hasn't been cleared for contact since an ACL tear late in the 2017 season. Foles is battling muscle spasms in his neck and shoulder, but coach Doug Pederson said he'll play Thursday. Eagles rookie tight end Dallas Goedert had an impressive debut, with four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown pass from Sudfeld.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were among several starters that didn't suit up for the Patriots' preseason opener, but it didn't matter in a 26-17 victory over the Redskins. The Pats rushed for 140 yards and their defense held Washington to 12 first downs. Brady says he expects to play Thursday, giving New England's offense even more firepower.

But just because the Patriots cruised last week doesn't mean they'll cover a 3.5-point spread in a preseason game. Whereas the Redskins averaged 21.4 points last season, in the middle of the NFL, the Eagles were third at 28.6. Philly showcased its big-play potential last week, with Shelton Gibson scoring on a 63-yarder from Sudfeld. And Thursday, they'll get Foles, the Super Bowl LII MVP, back under center.

Oh's advanced computer has simulated this Super Bowl rematch 10,000 times and its strong against the spread pick is now locked in. He knows there's a critical x-factor that determines the outcome. He's sharing what it is, and who to back, only over at SportsLine.

So which side of Eagles-Patriots should you be all over Thursday, and what critical x-factor causes one side of the spread to hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see what side of the spread prevails, all from an expert who is a combined 24-9 on Patriots and Eagles games.