Washington Redskins Betting – ‘Skins HopeFor A Quieter Year In The Nation’s Capital
Washington’s online betting odds depend on the ability of their coaches to steady the team after a tumultuous 2010 campaign, battling with players on both sides of the ball. Until the Redskins are all on the same page, they’re not going to go anywhere in arguably the toughest division in the NFL.
Head Coach: Mike Shanahan
Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Shanahan
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Haslett
Owner: Dan Snyder
Stadium: FedEx Field
Capacity: 82,000
Super Bowl Wins: 3
Offense
On the surface, it doesn’t look like Washington’s 18th-ranked offense was that bad, and there were a few positive aspects of 2010. Santana Moss finished 10th in the league in receiving yards, and the Redskins are reportedly in the hunt for Santonio Holmes, who will be a free agent (although his team, the New York Jets will also make a run at him). Even though their quarterbacking situation was a mess, the Redskins still managed to finish eighth in the league in passing yards, and that’s incredible when you consider what coach Mike Shanahan and his son, coordinator Kyle, went through with Donovan McNabb, even choosing to finish the season with Rex Grossman. Now, apparently John Beck is Shanahan's guy, and it’ll be very interesting to see what happens, particularly with McNabb, who is the most likely to be traded. Anthony Armstrong emerged as a solid second receiver opposite Moss, but would likely be better as a third option, and Chris Cooley remains one of the best pass-catching tight ends out there.
There are more questions than answers on offense for the Redskins, who were 30th on the ground, although to be fair Ryan Torain was hurt for a large portion of the year. He’ll get the first chance in the backfield, but he’ll also be running behind a line that is nothing like the “Hogs” that some NFL betting players will remember blowing holes open in the early 1980s. There was no drive when run-blocking, and the line allowed 46 sacks, which was fifth-worst in the NFL. Also, Grossman and Moss are both free agents, and while Moss would be the bigger loss, the Redskins have to keep Grossman for insurance. Holmes would be a good pickup for the receivers, but a possession receiver, like Plaxico Burress, may be more practical.
Grade: D+
Defense
It was even worse on defense for the Redskins, who finished 31st on that side of the ball, coming in 26th against the run and 31st against the pass. Linebacker Landon Fletcher is still a tackling machine on the inside, but Rocky MacIntosh struggled in the new 3-4 alignment put forth by coordinator Jim Haslett and may not be brought back as a free agent. Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo is progressing on the outside and led the team in sacks, but he would be more dangerous with a genuine pass-rush threat on the other side, and end Andre Carter was released. The Redskins did try and improve the line in the draft by taking end Ryan Kerrigan and Jarvis Jenkins, but the NFL betting odds of them being able to contribute right away with a minimal camp due to the lockout are slim. At the back, the Redskins have talent but they also have gamblers like cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who had six picks, but will bite on the first move he sees. Safety LaRon Landry is like having another linebacker, but he still has a lot to learn about pass coverage.
And finally, there is Albert Haynesworth, the poster child for horrible six-figure contracts. The word “bust” doesn’t begin to describe Haynesworth and it would be cumbersome to go over all of his faults here, but the fact of the matter is that the Redskins have to do something about him. Shanahan may be too stubborn to release him, even though it would save Washington $3.4 million (the word is, he would then sign with NFC East rival Philadelphia). But he isn’t a player suited for the 3-4 system, the time of both sides is being wasted, and it’s going to be a distraction again.
Grade: D+
Special Teams
Behind Brandon Banks, the Redskins ranked in the top half of the league in returning punts (10th) and kicks (14th), and he should be around this season as well. When it came to covering kickoffs, only Cleveland was better than the Redskins, but covering punts were a different story as Washington was 29th in the league in that category.
Hunter Smith was second-last in the league in average and net punting, and he was promptly released in December. The Redskins signed Sam Paulescu, who played one game for them in 2009 and he averaged 50 yards then, but that’s not a 16-game season. Former Pro Bowl Josh Bidwell is also on the roster. As for the kicking duties, Graham Gano was the worst in the league, and the Redskins need to bring in competition for him.
Grade: D
Prediction
The Redskins are rated at +2500 to take the NFC, while NFL betting odds also have them as a +6000 longshot to win the Super Bowl, but they’re likely to be the darkhorses in the always-tough NFC East. Two straight seasons of below-.500 results has the fanbase getting restless, but they would be more patient if it wasn’t for all of the off-field nonsense with McNabb and Haynesworth.
Shanahan has to make sure everyone is on board with the plan, and that means a unified dressing room. That should be the focus of this year as the Redskins aren’t going to overcome the likes of Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants, especially not with Beck or Grossman at quarterback unless their defense drastically improves. Still, wagering on Washington’s sports betting odds wouldn’t be a smart play.
2011 Schedule
Week 1 – vs. New York Giants (4:15 PM ET)
Week 2 – vs. Arizona (1:00 PM ET)
Week 3 – at Dallas (Monday, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 4 – at St. Louis (1:00 PM ET)
Week 6 – vs. Philadelphia (1:00 PM ET)
Week 7 – at Carolina (1:00 PM ET)
Week 8 – at Buffalo (4:05 PM ET)
Week 9 – vs. San Francisco (1:00 PM ET)
Week 10 – at Miami (1:00 PM ET)
Week 11 – vs. Dallas (1:00 PME T)
Week 12 – at Seattle (4:05 PM ET)
Week 13 – vs. New York Jets (1:00 PM ET)
Week 14 – vs. New England (1:00 PM ET)
Week 15 – at New York Giants (1:00 PM ET)
Week 16 – vs. Minnesota (Saturday, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 17 – at Philadelphia (1:00 PM ET)
