Washington Redskins Odds – Geography, poor passing will sink ’Skins
Washington Redskins odds would be much higher if they played in any other NFC division. Being stuck in the East with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys certainly hurts their NFL betting odds. The Redskins are a solid team with enough talent to keep things interesting, but unless their offense can get things going and put up more points, a good defense will go to waste.
Washington Redskins odds: NFC East is too deep for Washington to overcome
- Campbell still not safe as Washington’s No.1 pivot
- Free agent Haynesworth shores up interior defense
- Jason Taylor experiment over quickly
The Redskins’ offense was 19th in the NFL last season and, after trying to get Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez, coach Jim Zorn seems resigned to another year with Jason Campbell at the helm. He had very respectable numbers, but Campbell doesn’t appear able to carry your team with a 300-yard game when it’s needed. In fact, his only 300-yard game in 2008 came against the lowly Detroit Lions.
This means another year of 300-plus carries for Clinton Portis, who battled numerous nagging injuries that took a toll later in the season and contributed to Washington’s late-season slide. Chris Cooley emerged as one of the top tight ends in the league, and up front, the Redskins added guard Derrick Dockery to strengthen their line. Still, without a consistent passing game, Redskins odds in your online sports book won’t rise very much.
On the other side of the ball, Washington signed Albert Haynesworth to a $100-million contract. Haynesworth went to a pair of Pro Bowls with Tennessee and is generally considered the best defensive tackle in the league, but he’s had some legal troubles since coming to Washington, not to mention the Titans are looking into possible tampering charges. When focused, Haynesworth will improve an already great unit that ranked fourth in total defense last year.
The Redskins let veteran cornerback Shawn Springs go and they hope DeAngelo Hall can live up to the $54-million deal he just signed. London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh lock up two of the linebacker spots, and the Redskins hope first-round pick Brian Orakpo can become a pass-rush specialist on the other side. Chris Horton and LaRon Landry form one of the best young safety duos in the NFL.
The Redskins don’t have the best sports betting odds in the league at +1800 to win the NFC and +4000 to take the Super Bowl. Their lack of offense, particularly through the air, will be their downfall. Even though the Redskins say they’re committed to Campbell, their actions in the offseason prove otherwise, so it’s got to sting his confidence. Santana Moss is a deep threat and Cooley is solid, but the Redskins would do well to go out and chase Anquan Boldin or another big receiver who will go over the middle.
The defense shouldn’t take a big hit, if any at all, but it won’t matter if the Redskins can’t improve on their 16.6 points/game from last year, good for 28th in the league. It looks like another 8-8 year in the nation’s capital at best so, if you’re looking to make a bet online NFL games, stay away from the offensively-challenged Redskins in the deep NFC East. Another division, and maybe it would be another story.
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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? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
