A year and eight months removed from major knee surgery, Robert Griffin III will be back in prime condition to lead the Washington Redskins in 2014. Or so they think. Things haven’t exactly fallen in place for the ‘Skins leading into their season opener, and they’ll be tasked with a tough road game against the Houston Texans.
For more action to start the football craze, head over to our complete NFL Week 1 Picks and Predictions. While you’re at it, why not learn how to bet on season win totals? Read on as we take a closer look at this Week 1 clash between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans.
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Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
When: Sunday, September 7, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Washington Redskins (+2.5) at Houston Texans (-2.5); total 46.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins regressed to a 3-13 SU record last season, a steep decline from their 10-6 record in 2012. In the middle of all the criticism was quarterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 disappointed in his sophomore NFL season, dropping his completion percentage (60%), rushing yards (489 yards) and touchdowns (16). His interceptions also more than doubled up from five to 12.
[sc:NFL240banner ]A left knee injury suffered in his rookie season, a beef with the coaches and some attitude problems may be to blame for his lackluster year. The Redskins, for their part, made adjustments to their team and coaching staff to try and better support their franchise QB.
Washington started by sacking head coach and offensive coordinators Mike and Kyle Shanahans. Former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Josh Gruden will now be taking the reins as Washington’s head coach. Gruden will draw from his experience leading the Bengals to the playoffs in each of his first two years with the team. Joining Gruden will be Sean McVay, who will be making his debut as an OC with the ‘Skins.
Former Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson will now be suiting up for Washington fresh off a career-high 1,332 yard performance last season. He will be a deep threat receiver for Griffin to work with opposite last year’s top receiver, Pierre Garcon. Adding a player like Jackson is enough to rebound any quarterback’s career.
However, even with the changes, Griffin struggled in the preseason, going 12-for-20 for 141 yards with two interceptions.
Against a Houston side that struggled to defend against the run and without Griffin’s top form, expect an increase in running back Alfred Morris’ workload for this game. Morris ran for 1,275 yards on 276 carries in 2013 (fourth in the league in rushing yards).
The Washington Redskins are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games against AFC South teams.
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Betting on the Houston Texans
Speaking of disappointing 2013 season, it doesn’t get worse than how the Houston Texans dropped off last year. The Texans won their first two games of the year, and then went for a 0-14 free fall in their remaining regular season games.
The Texans didn’t wait until the offseason to make their moves, sacking head coach Gary Kubiak in December and putting Bill O’Brien at the helm. They then acquired 10-year veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick from the Tennessee Titans to start as the QB this season in place of pick-six machine Matt Schaub. Fitzpatrick played in 11 games last season, with a 62 percent completion rate, 2,454 yards passing, and 14 TDs while against 12 interceptions.
Houston will be banking on Fitzpatrick to sync well with the team’s leading receiver Andre Johnson (109 receptions for 1,407 yards and five TDs). Fitzpatrick was relatively efficient in the third game of the preseason, going 10-for-17 for 80 yards, and connected with Johnson three times.
This game will be the first look at the regular season form of first-overall draft pick defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and fellow DE J.J. Watt’s ability to hunt down quarterbacks. Clowney stood out in his final year of college football playing for South Carolina. He set a single-season record for most sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (23.5) for South Carolina in 2012.
The total has gone over in six of the Texans’ eight home games last season.
Writer’s Prediction
Alfred Morris will bring the ‘Skins close, but the Texans (-2.5) win this game of 2013 disappointments.
