One the road, the Washington Redskins are currently 2-2 straight up and against the spread. At home, the New Orleans Saints are currently 3-1 straight up and 2-2 ATS.
The Washington Redskins are looking for their fifth win of the season. Last week, the Redskins lost at home to Minnesota, 38-30. Despite the loss, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has played good this season. Cousins has passed for 2474 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions on the year.
Last week, the Redskins offense totaled 394 yards. Cousins passed for 327 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Redskins run game was virtually non existent. Totaling 81 yards rushing. Through nine games, Washington sits in second to last in the NFC East. Washington is also 0-3 against division opponents this season.
If the Redskins are going to make a wildcard push, they need it to happen this week.
Look for the Redskins running game to get going early in this matchup. If not, the team will look one dimensional as they have in weeks past.
Defensively, the Redskins allowed 409 yards and 38 points to the Vikings. Quarterback Case Keenum passed for 304 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Redskins secondary forced two turnovers in last weeks win. They will have their hands full in this matchup. The Redskins need to try and hold the explosive Saints offense to less than 400 yards this week. That will be easier said than done, considering Drew Brees can light it up on any field, anywhere.
The New Orleans Saints are riding a seven game winning streak. The Saints started the season losers of two straight. After their loss against the Patriots in week two, 36-20, the Saints are arguably the best team in the NFL. Quarterback, Drew Brees has not had to do everything this season. Not saying Brees isn’t an elite quarterback, just saying he hasn’t been asked to shoulder the load. He has passed for 2400 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Saints running backs haven’t been bad either. Mark Ingram has rushed for 672 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Rookie running back Alvin Kamura has emerged as the teams explosive weapon.
He has 417 yards and four touchdowns this year. The defense is where the Saints have improved in every aspect. New Orleans is allowing 330 yards of total offense per game this season. The Saints are also much improved in the secondary. Look for the Saints to send several different blitz packages at the Redskins in this weeks game.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Redskins need this game to stay in wildcard contention. The Saint will be looking for their eighth win in a row. Kirk Cousins will have to do everything on offense against this week for the Washington Redskins. It won’t be enough. Take the New Orleans Saints at home this week. New Orleans should cover this one easy. Pick: New Orleans (-7.5)
