The Washington Redskins surprised many last year with their run to the NFC East title and just their second playoff appearance in eight seasons. Someone had to win the pitiful division and the Skins took a shot, finishing as the only team above .500. Washington still has plenty to prove as they aren’t even projected to finish in the top half of the division in 2016.
The preseason battle between the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons will take place Thursday, August 11, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at the Georgia Dome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Washington Redskins +3 ( -115 )
Atlanta Falcons -3 ( -105 )
Over/Under 37
ODDS ANALYSIS
Handicapping preseason games is always difficult, especially in Week 1 with so much still unknown. The standard field goal for home field advantage is given to the Falcons, who opened at -3. The total of 37 is one of the highest on the board in the opening week of the preseason.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Unlike last season, there is no quarterback controversy in Washington. Kirk Cousins is the guy and the pecking order is lined up with Colt McCoy as the backup and rookie Nate Sudfeld at No. 3. Cousins will likely get a few series with the first team followed by McCoy.
Sudfeld is a project who had a nice career at Indiana, setting a school record with nearly 8,000 career passing yards. If he is identified by coach Jay Gruden as a player who has a chance with the organization, he may get significant reps in the second half.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn hasn’t decided on a plan to work his quarterbacks for the preseason opener, but he’s confident in his top two guys. Matt Ryan played just one series in last year’s opener and a similar situation is in store for Thursday.
New backup and former Falcon Matt Schaub will get some reps while Matt Simms and Sean Renfree will battle for the third spot on the roster. Renfree has the inside track for the job as he enters his fourth season with the franchise. He completed six of seven pass attempts in last year’s preseason opener and went 26 of 36 for 237 yards during the 2015 exhibition season.
COACHING HISTORY
Jay Gruden owns one of the better preseason coaching records in the NFL after going 3-1 SU in each of his first two years. The Redskins have also been good against the spread, playing to a 5-3 record.
Quinn was pretty average in his first preseason, with the Falcons going 2-2 SU and ATS while also splitting the over/under in four games. The team then went out and won its first five regular season games, go figure. Atlanta was 2-0 SU but split ATS in its two home games.
Expect the Falcons to be a little feistier this time around as Quinn continues to mold his team in the fashion that brought him all kinds of success while the defensive coordinator in Seattle. He acquired some new pieces in the draft and moved last year’s top pick Vic Beasley to a new spot on the field.
QUICK PICK
Without much competition for starting assignments on either side of the football, it makes us wonder just how motivated the Redskins are going to be. They are a team that has plenty to prove after a surprising division title last season, but the real fight begins in September.
It’s a different story on the other side of the field. Despite their quick start to last year, the Falcons stumbled down the stretch, wiping away any good vibes from that 6-1 start. Quinn is changing the culture in the Falcons locker room and the players are buying into the coach’s “Fast and Physical” mantra.
Defense typically has the upperhand in the early preseason games and that looks like what we’re going to see in this one. The starters for each side won’t see much action, if any, leaving the game in the hands of the backups. That will make for a boring, low-scoring affair.
NFL Odds: Falcons 18, Redskins 13
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The preseason battle between the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons will take place Thursday, August 11, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at the Georgia Dome.
