Redskins Cardinals Betting – Questions Remain As Cards Close Out Preseason Versus ‘Skins
Dealing with the stigma of being the only NFC East team not to take a turn earning a division title over the past decade, the Washington Redskins have handed the keys to the franchise over to head coach Mike Shanahan. An offensive mastermind that has won championships before, Shanahan begins all over again in Washington, where he seems to have already built a team set to contend for a return to the postseason. The changes aren’t major in quantity, but quality control was needed at the most important spot on offense as quarterback Donovan McNabb was brought in to replace the departed Jason Campbell at center. Early indications are that the move has made a big impact on getting the Redskins’ offense to where it needs to be, a test that will continue this Thursday when Washington wraps up its preseason schedule in the desert against the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL Betting: Washington Redskins @ Arizona Cardinals
Online Sports Betting Odds: Cardinals -5.5
Why To Bet On The Redskins?
The Redskins enter this contest with little to gain, and with a roster loaded with veteran talent, will likely be hoping to simply avoid suffering any major losses to injuries. The surprise of exhibition play has been the emergence of wide receiver Anthony Armstrong, who has developed a strong rapport with McNabb and could finally solve the problem that has plagued the Washington offense by being the perfect complement to wide receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley in the passing game. The defense is stout up front, and the secondary is one of the best in the betting league when healthy, but how much that plays in to this contest cannot be certain based on how conservative Shanahan may decide to be with playing his starters.
Why To Bet On The Cardinals?
The times are changing in Arizona, where unlike Brett Favre with the Minnesota Vikings, there is no sign of a potential comeback for Kurt Warner with the Cardinals. Warner’s exit from the desert has left the keys to the starting position in the hands of Matt Leinart, and although he has found the ignition, it seems the former college football betting star has yet to found a way to turn on the car. Leinart’s poor play combined with the presence of veteran signal caller Derrick Anderson on the bench has led to a potential controversy at the position, but if both candidates can be at their best in this game the Cardinals will likely earn the home win.
How The Game Will Play Out
Simply because they have more question marks than answers, and are playing in front of the home crowd, the Cardinals have to be given the nod as favorite for this game. The Redskins have a crucial match up against the Dallas Cowboys week one of the regular season, and will likely turn their focus in the direction of that game rather than worry about an exhibition tilt that will have no tangible effect on their ultimate goal: Making the playoffs.
Redskins Cardinals Betting Pick: Cardinals
