Washington Redskins vs Arizona Cardinals Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Preview – NFL Season Week 1 – September 9 2018

It’s 2018 and yet, Adrian Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald are still serving important roles for their respective teams. The two will be back on the field this Sunday, as the Washington Redskins take on the Arizona Cardinals in an intriguing matchup that could prove to be the closest out of all the games in Week 1.

The Redskins are entering a new chapter in the franchise’s era, as the transition from Kirk Cousins to Alex Smith under center. As for the Cardinals, they have Sam Bradford serving as perhaps a placeholder for the pending takeover of Josh Rosen of his job.

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Betting Preview for the Washington Redskins vs Arizona Cardinals NFL Season Week 1 Game on September 9, 2018

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ

When: Sunday, September 9, 2018, 4:25 PM ET

Line: Washington Redskins (+1) vs Arizona Cardinals (-1) – view all 2018 NFL lines

TV Broadcast: FOX

Betting on the Washington Redskins (+1)

Whether Alex Smith is an upgrade or downgrade at the quarterback position for the Redskins is a debate that’s soon going to be settled, as the team will finally kick off their first season after the Kirk Cousins era. Unlike Cousins, Smith is a game-manager under center, who finished last season with 4,042 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 15 games for the Kansas City Chiefs. In Washington, he’ll have some dependable weapons downfield like tight end Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder. Reed, when healthy, is a devastating catching machine, especially in the red zone, and Smith is likely to have that bad man on the field in Week 1 even though the tight end has been held back in the preseason to avoid his brittle body from getting damaged. Crowder, meanwhile, led the Redskins last year with 789 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Of course, the Redskins also have running back Adrian Peterson, who was signed last August and is now the team’s No. 1 option in the backfield after the season-ending injury to rookie Derrius Guice. Peterson is 33, but he’s still got some gas left in his tank, having rushed for 529 yards and two touchdowns in 1o games last season.

The under is 2-0 in the Redskins’ last two road games.

Betting on the Arizona Cardinals (-1)

Hey, Adrian Peterson isn’t the only clear-cut future Hall of Famer appearing in this game. The Cardinals also still have wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald lining up across opposing cornerbacks. Last season, the ageless wonder recorded 1,156 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 109 receptions. Fitzgerald and the Cards receiving corps, however, are working with a new quarterback, with Sam Bradford taking over the now-retired Carson Palmer. Bradford is no longer an elite quarterback in the NFL, but he’s still serviceable. Speaking of elite, running back David Johnson is definitely one. Johnson is set to make his first start since Week 1 of the 2017 season when he suffered an injury that took him out for the rest of that campaign. The Redskins are a nice matchup for Johnson to test his wheels, as Washington finished last in 2017 in rushing defense with 134.1 rushing yards allowed per contest.

The Cardinals are 3-1 ATS in their last four home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Arizona wins, 31-24.

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