Washington Redskins (0-0, 0-0 ATS) @ Houston Texans (0-0, 0-0 ATS)
*ATS= against the spread
BETDAQ Line: Houston -3 (45)
Significant Injuries
Washington: CB Tracy Porter (questionable– hamstring), LB Akeem Jordan (questionable– knee)
Houston: RB Arian Foster (questionable– hamstring)
Recent Trends
Washington is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games
Washington is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall
Houston is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games
The OVER is 4-1 in Washington’s last 5 Week 1 games
The OVER is 6-2 in Houston’s last 8 games overall
Three reasons to back Washington
1. The Redskins were better than the Texans in every conceivable way in 2013, scoring more points, allowing fewer points, and winning more games. Both teams return the bulk of their rosters.
2. Quarterback play has a disproportionate effect on winning and losing in the NFL, and the Redskins have the better quarterback in this matchup. As a matter of fact, they probably have two quarterbacks on their roster who are better than anyone Houston has.
3. The Houston offense could be tough to watch– Arian Foster banged up, questions on the line, and a mediocre journeyman at quarterback. They can’t possibly keep up with RGIII and the high-flying ‘Skins, who finished 9th in the league in total offense last season despite some adverse circumstances.
Three reasons to back Houston
1. The Texans have a defense that has the potential to be dominant– they ranked in the top-5 in the league in yards allowed throughout most of last season and this year they should be even better. Not only have they added the freakishly talented Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite J.J. Watt on a now-fearsome line, they get Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing back from an injury that cost him most of last season. It’s going to be difficult for Washington (and everyone else) to move the ball on this Texans D.
2. Robert Griffin III has clearly lost his confidence and should not be relied upon. He regressed badly last season, which most people chalked up to him returning too soon from a knee injury, but he looked like the same indecisive, inaccurate player in the 2014 preseason. There is value betting against Griffin right now; most people regard him as a much better player than he currently is.
3. The Redskins have a soft defense that isn’t particularly good against the run or the pass. It’s a perfect “first game” for Bill O’Brien’s new offense, as the Texans will be able to move the ball, put up some points, and gain confidence. Ryan Fitzpatrick is an underrated player who O’Brien believes in, and he’ll have a better pair of receivers at his disposal than he ever had in Buffalo or Tennessee.
Prediction
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