Saints Redskins Predictions

Written September 12, 2008 by Jack Jones

It was a pretty start for first year head coach Jim Zorn, but the Washington Redskins will try to get back on track this week as they host the New Orleans Saints at FedEx Field in their home opener on Sunday, September 14th. Jimmy Boyd is ready to take a look at the NFL odds on the game, which currently show the game as a pick’ em, which means neither team is favored over the other, and the total is listed at 42.

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Washington got off to a rough start last Thursday when they fell 16-7 to the defending Super Bowl champions. The offense was the most disappointing, with only 209 total yards, including being limited to just 17 yards passing in the first half while being shutout in points in the second. This surprised many pundits since Zorn was an NFL quarterback for 11 years in the late 70’s and 80’s, plus he was hired as the team’s offensive coordinator before Joe Gibbs retired this offseason.

The Saints on the other hand got off to a fast start, beating their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Bucs, in exciting fashion. Reggie Buch caught a short pass and took it 42-yards for the go-ahead touchdown, then New Orleans intercepted Jeff Garcia inside the red zone with under a minute remaining.

The bad news for the Saints offense is that their top receiver in Marques Colston will miss this game and the next month with a torn ligament in his thumb. We’ll see how much that dampers the offense that put up 438 total yards against the Bucs, since quarterback Drew Brees still has weapons remaining. One of those is newcomer Jeremy Shockey, who had six receptions for 54 yards at tight end. Grees was 23-of-32 overall for 343 yards and three scores, but he was also intercepted once and it was returned for a touchdown. Bush did his part in running for 51 yards and gaining 112 yards receiving while receivers Devery Henderson and David Patten both caught touchdowns.

Duece McAllister should also be close to full strength for this one and the Saints might need to take advantage of him since Washington allowed the Giants to run for 154 yards last week. Since Brees has struggled in four games against the Redskins, throwing zero touchdowns to four interceptions the Saints might focus on the run. Then again both corners in Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs are battling injuries and might not be at full speed. You can bet the Saints to win at BetUS and get up to 50% in signup bonuses.

For Washington, the ground game needs to get going this week. Clinton Portis had only 84 yards and 24 carries against the Giants, and Ladell Betts only made one rushing attempt. However, the Saints gave up 146 rushing yards to Tampa, with Earnest Graham picking up 9.1 yards per attempt. The Redskins probably aren’t going to win any game they need Jason Campbell to carry them. He was just 15-for-27 for 133 yards in the opener, with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss. Antwaan Randle El was his favorite target, grabbing seven passes for 73 yards.

The Saints have some injury problems on defense that Washington needs to take advantage of. Scott Fujita didn’t practice earlier this week with a knee injury, defensive tackle Hollis Thomas is out for the season with a torn triceps, and both linebacker Mark Simoneau and corner Mike McKenzie missed week one. Even though they returned to practice this week, they won’t be at 100%. Bet the Saints at Bookmaker and get a 20% cash signup bonus on your initial deposit.

Predictions: Saints 19, Redskins 18

Obsessed with Sports thinks the Saints are a lock, while we think they win a close.

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