Buccaneers Redskins Betting – ‘Skins Edge Bucs In Tight Encounter
It’s a tough week for online betting players trying to handicap the final week of preseason as players are fighting for roster spots, so it’s going to be an intense week. Defense should be the story when Tampa Bay meets Washington, but the slight edge goes to the Redskins.
What: NFL Betting
When: Thursday, September 1st, 7:30 PM ET
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Pick: Washington Redskins
Why Bet On Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay came away with a 17-13 win at home over Miami, and it was essentially a game where you saw the Bucs’ blueprint: grind out the opponents with their running game, and then blunt the opposition with their defense. Josh Freeman could have had a better game, going 12-of-23 for 149 yards, but he didn’t turn the ball over and he managed the game, which is all that head coach Raheem Morris expects of him. The Bucs ran 27 times for 99 yards, which aren’t great numbers, but they minimized their mistakes and that will keep them in the game. The defense held the Dolphins to 10 first downs and registered five sacks, and that is the type of performance that they’ll need all season if Tampa Bay is going to catch up to Atlanta and New Orleans in the NFC West.
If there was one major negative from this game for the Bucs, it is that they committed 15 penalties, which caused a pair of first downs for the Dolphins. The Bucs are still a very young team and they’re going to be prone to discipline problems, but they can’t afford to have that many flags in the regular season. If you can’t stay flag-free in this game as a Tampa Bay player, you may find yourself out of a job.
Why Bet On Washington Redskins
The Redskins fell 34-31 in Baltimore to ensure they won’t get through the preseason with a perfect mark, but there are still some positives to take from this game. The offense moved the ball against a tough Baltimore defense much better than anyone would have expected, putting up 341 yards. Tim Hightower continued his excellent preseason with nine carries for 56 yards and a score and if he can run like throughout the regular season, it will be a huge help to the quarterbacks. We’re pretty sure that John Beck will be the starter heading into the season, but Rex Grossman has played surprisingly well in the preseason. The defense was exposed a bit, but they did manage four sacks while forcing a couple of turnovers.
Still, Washington gave up 138 yards on the ground and if they can’t improve on that, they’re not going to survive the brutal NFC East. Not having safety LaRon Landry in the lineup has a lot to do with that because while his coverage skills aren’t what they should be, he supports the run as well as any safety in the league. Landry has problems with his hamstring and Achilles, and head coach Mike Shanahan has his fingers crossed that he’ll be ready for Week 1.
How The Game Will Play Out
NFL betting odds have the Redskins as a 7-point favorite at home, and they are 2-3 SU and 2-2-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the Bucs, with four games going under the posted total. Both teams have solid defenses and should keep it as a low-scoring game, and Washington’s defense will be eager to get out there and prove that they’re better than what they showed in Baltimore.
The Redskins have the edge in this game as they have more depth at quarterback, and since the starters will only play a series or two, that should really come in handy. Points are going to be at a premium in this game, so discipline and mistakes are going to play a big role in this game as the head coaches are looking at who will make their final roster. Take Washington, but beware of the sports betting spread.
Buccaneers Redskins Betting Pick: Washington Redskins
