Washington Redskins at New York Giants Odds
The NFC East has a favorite to win and a favorite to finish dead last. But in one of football’s most competitive divisions, those preseason predictions can go out the window after NFL Week 1. The Washington Redskins head to the Meadowlands to open the season and try to erase their role as the NFC East’s weak link.
Oddsmakers have tagged the Redskins as 6.5-point road ‘dogs, while the total is listed at 37.
Washington knew it had some issues on offense this year but didn’t realize how big those issues were until the preseason. The Redskins finished 1-3 and ranked 25th in total offense, averaging just over 284 yards and 14.5 points per game.
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There are problems at quarterback. Jason Campbell was shaky at moments and finished the preseason completing just 51 percent of his passes – and failed to find the end zone. Despite those problems, and some impressive play from his backups, Campbell is penciled in as the Week 1 starter.
Helping Campbell find his form in the regular season will be star running back Clinton Portis, who was limited in the preseason. Portis had just 11 carries for 34 yards but missed time with a rib injury. The team expects him to be ready for Week 1.
Portis was a monster on the ground last season, rushing for just under 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns. Against the Giants in 2008 he totaled 95 yards on the ground, with 84 of those coming in a Week 1 loss.
Washington’s crown jewel of the offseason, DT Albert Haynesworth, was also limited in the preseason due to injury and illness. Recently, Haynesworth has been fighting a stomach flu that forced him out of the final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Redskins are hoping Haynesworth can help bolster their defense. Washington ranked fourth in total defense in 2008 but was tossed around in the preseason, allowing over 339 yards a game. The team’s top priority is fixing the pass defense, which gave up an average of 242 yards through the air in the preseason. A lot of weight will fall on DeAngelo Hall’s shoulders in his first full season with the ‘Skins.
The Giants will try to exploit the holes in the Washington secondary despite the lack of a true No. 1 receiver. New York was in a mad scramble this preseason trying to weed out a go-to guy. It looks like it is settling on Domenik Hixon, who totaled 272 yards on just nine catches with three touchdowns this preseason.
Quarterback Eli Manning was out-played by backup David Carr during the preseason. Manning’s completion percentage of 57 percent and 260 yards fell short of Carr’s completion percentage of 67 and 416 yards. Carr also connected for more touchdowns, outscoring Manning 5-2. Despite those numbers, Manning will be under center in Week 1 and running the team’s new no-huddle approach on offense.
New York led the NFL in rushing in 2008, putting up over 157 yards on the ground per game. Most of those carries went to burly back Brandon Jacobs, who totaled over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jacobs’ smash-mouth style is starting to take its toll on the running back. He suffered an arm injury this preseason and rumbled for just 86 yards on 21 carries. New York is also without Derrick Ward in the backfield after the RB signed with Tampa Bay this offseason.
The Giants are hoping their defense will remain among the league’s elite. New York ranked fifth in total defense and returns more talent from an already-deep roster. Star DE Osi Umenyiora is back after missing last season with injury.
However, Umenyiora has been in the middle of a locker room controversy since walking out of practice last week. Reports from the franchise say the DE has made peace with the team and will be focused on Week 1’s matchup.
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One reply on “NFL Week 1 Preview: Redskins vs. Giants”
The Redskins are in for a long season as they look out of sync on both sides of the ball. The Giants’ offense is not ready, but their defense will keep them in every game. Go with the Giants to cover but stick with the under. it will be something like 17-7 G-Men