Two struggling franchises look to start the preseason off right when the Cleveland Browns host the Washington Redskins. Both teams need improved quarterback play and the Redskins have a healthy Robert Griffin III eager to put the injury issues that hampered his play last season behind him.
ODDS
With the game being played in Cleveland the Browns opened as 1.5-point favorites, despite their questionable quarterback situation and uncertainty at running back. The total of 36.5 seems a little high for what little offense we’re likely to see.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
The Redskins named Robert Griffin III the starting quarterback in February and they haven’t wavered from that stance. Unlike last season when he played sparingly in the preseason, he’s expected to face a heavier workload this time around. Griffin III is healthy after a disappointing 2014 season that saw him miss time with a dislocated ankle and will play the first quarter against the Browns. Kirk Cousins will serve as the primary backup and likely play the second and third quarters while former Brown Colt McCoy will play the fourth.
While the Redskins have their starter in place the Browns will likely spend a good portion of the preseason figuring who gets the call. Josh McCown has been taking first-team reps in practice and will start with Johnny Manziel backing him up. The competition is close and both players should get equal time to try and separate from the other. Connor Shaw, who started last season’s finale, and Thaddeus Lewis are at the bottom of the depth chart and likely won’t see much playing time, if any.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Both head coaches are coming off rocky 2014 seasons and could be closer to the unemployment line if things don’t improve. That should be motivation enough. Mike Pettine is dealing with an unusually high number of injuries to the Browns running backs and would like to complete a game without adding names to the injury list. He also needs to find a starting quarterback and will keep a close eye on both his signal-callers. This game is much more about finding the right players moving forward than it is about winning for Cleveland, but a victory would be nice for a team that lost five in a row to close out the 2014 season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“How can you play and not want to be a starter? It just bothers me that guys don’t want to be the lead bell-cow guy. So if you want to be a backup then be a backup, but I mean you’re gonna get replaced. At some point you’ve got to be a starter if you want to hang around.” – Browns running back coach Wilbert Montgomery on his position players.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Browns would like to have a potent ground game to take pressure off whoever is quarterbacking the team, given the uninspiring numbers of Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel. Running back coach Wilbert Montgomery is disappointed no one wants to take charge and be the featured back, leaving a competition between several players. Last year’s leading rusher Terrance West and rookie Duke Johnson are in the mix but won’t play Thursday due to injury, leaving Isaiah Crowell at the top of the depth chart with a chance to show Montgomery and head coach Mike Pettine he’s the guy.
INJURIES
Washington’s defense will be shorthanded without cornerback David Amerson and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. Receiver DeSean Jackson will not play due to a right shoulder injury.
Cleveland’s ground game will be slowed by injuries to last season’s leading rusher Terrance West, rookie Duke Johnson and Glenn Winston while fullbacks Malcolm Johnson and Luke Lundy have missed practice time and are doubtful.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Redskins made some shrewd offseason moves and there is optimism heading into the new season. The Browns had a nice draft but still don’t have a quarterback and it’s unlikely Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel can lead this team anywhere.
Washington 19, Cleveland 12
The NFL odds for this Thursday contest were first released by BookMaker and the Browns were positioned as 1.5-point favorites with a total of 36.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns will start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
