Kansas City Chiefs (0-5 1-4 ATS) at Washington Redskins (2-3 1-3-1 ATS) FedEx Field Landover, MD 1:00 PM EST Sunday October 18. 2009 on CBS
By Jason Green at Predictem.com
Point Spread: Chiefs +6.5/Redskins -6.5
Over/Under: 37
Bet this game at a sportsbook that offers an online poker room loaded with fish: Bodog.
To say this is a game between two struggling teams is a major understatement. The Kansas City Chiefs came close last week, but they have still yet to win a game while the Washington Redskins are 2-3 and they have allowed 2 teams this season to win their first game in the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.
The beginning of the season was supposed to be easy for the Redskins, as they faced the Lions, Rams, Buccaneers, and Panthers, but they are only 2-2 in those games and they barley beat the Bucs and the Rams. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is on the hot season in the nation’s capital and the Redskins need to start winning for him to save his job and for the team to save their season. The Chiefs may be heading for another high draft pick and they still have to play Pittsburgh, San Diego, Denver (twice), and Cincinnati.
Last week the Redskins lost to the Carolina Panthers 20-17 and the Chiefs lost to the Dallas Cowboys 26-20 in OT.
In the Redskins loss to the Panthers, Carolina had more passing yards, more rushing yards, and led in time of possession, but it was a major mistake that cost the Redskins the game. They were up 17-12 with only 10 minutes left in the game, but Byron Westbrook was blocked into return man Antwaan Randle El, who fumbled the ball and Carolina recovered deep in Washington territory and scored a TD 2 plays later. The Panthers scored the last 18 points in the game. The Redskins were underdogs by 5 points so even though they lost they did cover the spread. The posted total of 38 was not reached so the Under bettors won their dough.
In the Chiefs heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys they led for most of the game, but allowed the Cowboys to score 17 points in the 2nd half and 6 in OT. The Chiefs’ defense played poorly allowing the Cowboys to rack up just under 500 yards of total offense. The Chiefs were lucky that the Cowboys gave up 2 turnovers. Cowboys WR Miles Austin, who set a Dallas record with 250 receiving yards, scored a 60-yard TD in OT to give the Cowboys the win. The Chiefs were underdogs by 7 points so they did cover the spread and the posted total of 43.5 was surpassed with 46 scored in the game.
The Redskins are 2-0 at home this season, but they were both close games against Tampa Bay and St. Louis. The Redskins have to start out strong or they can expect a rain of boos from the Skins’ fans.
The Chiefs rank dead last on defense and they are giving up an average of 132.8 rushing yards per game and 270 passing yards per game. They also only have 6 sacks in 5 games.
The Redskins offense has not been that bad, as they rank 17th, but they have to avoid turning the ball over.
Clinton Portis has not looked like he has in the past several seasons, as he is only averaging 3.7 yards per carry. At least he faces a weak Chiefs’ D in this game.
For how bad the Chiefs have been QB Matt Cassel has been decent. Cassel having a big game may be the only chance the Chiefs have to win this game. That will not be easy against a Redskins’ secondary that is only giving up an average of 171 passing yards per game.
The Chiefs offensive line has been weak this season and they have to have a good game opening up holes for the running game and protecting Cassel. The Redskins have 10 sacks so far this season and they will facing a Chiefs’ line that has given up 17 sacks this season.
The Chiefs are only averaging 95.6 rushing yards per game and Larry Johnson is only averaging 2.7 yards per carry.
The Redskins’ defense ranks 9th, but that may be a little misleading since they have played so many weak teams so far. In the last 4 games Washington has faced teams with a combined record of 3-15.
A few trends for this game are the Chiefs are 1-6 in their last 7 games ATS, the Redskins are 2-8-3 ATS their last 13 games, and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Come on Skins, there is no way they can allow a 3rd team to get their first win of the season. That will not happen in this game, as Jason Campbell will lead the Redskins to the victory and back to .500. Washington will also cover the spread. I believe the OVER has more value though, therefore that is my official pick.
