If the Washington Redskins (4-5) are going to hold out hope in the second half of the season, they’ll have to beat the New Orleans Saints (7-2) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Sunday.
This should actually be a good one, so maybe tune in to your local FOX affiliate at 1 p.m. EST and check it out.
The Game: Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints (-8)
O/U: 51.5
The History
The Redskins and Saints have played 25 times since 1967. Washington holds a 17-8 advantage in the all time series.
Washington has won the last two meetings in 2012 and 2015, scoring 40 or more points in both games.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-5)
The Redskins will have to play on this season without the services of “starting” running back Rob Kelley. I say “starting” because Kelley never seemed like that big a factor in the offense this season. Kelley had only 62 carries after last week, 194 total yards and three touchdowns. Washington placed him on injured reserve and he’s out for the year.
I counted on, all season, rookie Samaje Perine taking over this job and now’s his chance. The only thing standing in his way is the versatile Chris Thompson. If anything, Washington needs to work on developing Thompson as a bell cow runner here in the second half of the season. If he could be an every down back, he could put up Le’Veon Bell style numbers.
If this is it for Kirk Cousins with the Redskins, he’s putting up a solid stat sheet resume if nothing else. Last week in a 38-30 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins was 25 of 45 for 327 yards, one touchdown and one interception against one of the league’s better defenses. Washington won’t franchise him again. It’d cost something like $34 million. That doesn’t mean they won’t get him back, though. It’d be rough to go back to square one at the quarterback position.
Last week Cousins spread the ball around to eight different receivers. Jamison Crowder and Vernon Davis both caught 76 yards worth of passes. Crowder did it in four catches and Davis seven.
It’s not just Kelley the Skins will have to replace Sunday. Center Spencer Long, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. and tight end Jordan Reed are all out. The team really needs to think about shutting Reed down this season. He’s been banged up the last two years and consistently on the injury report. There’s no real chance to make the playoffs here, not after a 4-5 start. Just get this guy healthy for next year.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-2)
New Orleans comes into this game mostly healthy. Only Kenny Vaccaro and A.J. Klein show up on their injury report. Vaccaro didn’t practice, but he’s listed as questionable.
Here’s something that will shock you. In the Saints’ 47-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills last week, Drew Brees was 18 of 25 for 184 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. When was the last time New Orleans posted a score like that without Brees throwing for 300 yards? How did they do it?
How about with 298 yards rushing? Mark Ingram carried the ball 21 times for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Alvin Kamara had 12 carries for 106 yards and a score. Kamara added five catches for 32 yards. It was a ground based massacre.
Of Brees’ 184 yards passing, 117 of them went to Michael Thomas. He caught nine passes.
New Orleans’ defense, which looked like the worst in the league when the season began, recorded two sacks, five tackles for a loss and chased Tyrod Taylor from the game and out of the Bills’ starting line up.
The Pick
This line has crept up half a point since Wednesday, but the over-under hasn’t moved. That means plenty of money was going Washington’s way and I think for good reason. I don’t see New Orleans losing this one, but I expect a shootout. Brees probably wouldn’t have it any other way. Saints 41, Redskins 38
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-5
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 87-59
Against the spread: 75-70
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