NFL Betting - Colts, Redskins Kickoff Pre-Season In Hall Of Fame Game
2008 NFL betting: Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Redskins
Who: Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Redskins
What: NFL Preseason Opener; Hall of Fame Game
When: Sunday August 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Canton, OH
Head to Head: Redskins are 4-2 in last six meetings
Key Stat: Road team has won six of last seven meetings
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins will get the NFL preseason underway when they meet up in the Hall of Fame Game this Sunday. Given the slew of injuries on both sides, those who bet sports online might have a tough time handicapping this game.
In a regular season game, the Colts would likely be about a five-point neutral-site favorite. Instead, they're currently five-point underdogs for Sunday's game. They're getting the points because of a rash of injuries across the entire roster.
Star quarterback Peyton Manning has an infected bursa sac and will miss Sunday's game. Marvin Harrison, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is still recovering from some inflammation. Defensive end Dwight Freeney has yet to work himself back into shape after missing most of last year with an injury, and Pro Bowl safety is still healing from offseason shoulder surgery.
But the Redskins aren't necessarily in better shape.
Washington already lost defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee for the season. Starting defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery broke his hand in scrimmage and will be out a month. Also, rookie wideouts Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas are both dealing with hamstring injuries; Thomas has been ruled out for Sunday. Running back Clinton Portis won't suit up, either.
Handicapping the preseason is tough enough but the injury epidemic further complicates matters.
The Colts care little for the preseason, or at least the games' final outcome; they're 3-10 in their last 13 preseason contests. Washington is just 18-22-1 as a favorite in the preseason.
This early in the season, starters won't play long. That often makes handicapping easiest if you consider the second-stringers that will be pitted against each other.
Colts quarterback Jim Sorgi probably won't play long since he'll be the starter with Manning sidelined; expect Josh Betts to get lots of playing time. One position where the Colts have lots of depth is running back. Joseph Addai's reps will be limited, so Dominic Rhodes and Kenton Keith, both of whom have played critical regular season minutes in past seasons, will carry the load.
The Redskins will be thin at wide receiver and running back with so many rotational players out. Rookie tight end Fred Davis should get lots of time to showcase himself as will fellow newcomer Colt Brennan. Brennan will take over at quarterback for Jason Campbell and Todd Collins.
NFL Preseason Betting Odds:
Indianapolis Colts
Washington Redskins
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
