New York Giants (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs. Washington Redskins(1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS)
NFL Week 4
Date and Time: Thursday, September 25, 8:25pm EST
Where: FedEx Field – Washington, DC
TV: NFL Network
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYG +3/WASH -3
Over/Under Total: 45
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This Thursday night, September 25th, tune into the NFL Network to witness an NFC East battle between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. Both teams enter this game at 1-2 overall, and both desperately need a win to try and keep pace with the Eagles and the rest of the NFC who is looking for postseason play. The line opens with the Redskins as a three point home favorite, while the total points are posted at 45 total. These NFC East games are always interesting and you never know what you will get. I would not be surprised to see a 38-34 type game, or a 13-10, like I said, you never know what to expect when teams from the east tee it up.
I hate to say I told you so to everyone who knows me, but I called this months ago…RGIII is out in Washington. Well, he is not out for good, but anyone who thought he would keep up over a 16 game schedule obviously has not watched football for the past three seasons. In my humble opinion, Griffin III may have played his last snap for the Skins and could possibly be dealt this coming offseason. Backup, now starter, Kurt Cousins has looked sharp leading the way. All but 32 yards of the Redskins passing game this season has come from Cousins. He also has five touchdown passes to his credit to go with a 105 passer rating. The more I see Cousins play, and the more successful the Redskins are without Robert Griffin III, the more Mike Shannahan (the recently fired Skins coach) looks like a genius. The Redskins have not only had success in the passing game, but they have a top ten rushing attack led by Alfred Morris who has gained over 250 yards and scored twice through three games. On the defensive side of the ball, Washington is also strong. They are only allowing 64 yards a game rushing, and the pass defense is holding opponents to under 220 a game which ranks them as the 10th best passing D in the game. Based on those numbers, you would think Washington was 3-0, at least 2-1, but nope….1-2 is their overall record. However, this past Sunday, they had a complete shootout againts the Philadelphia Eagles, and that game could have gone either way. Cousins threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns only to see his team lose 37-34 in Philly. That is nothing to be ashamed of, but in the NFL, there are no moral victories. I like this Washington team, I actually think they are a more potent offense with Cousins leading the way than they were with RG3. The key to this game for Washington is to do what they do. Score points, and play defense. Sounds easy enough…well…it is that easy.
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Just as I predicted, the New York Giants came away with their first win of the 2014 season by beating the Houston Texans by a 30-17 score. Eli Manning had a solid performance with 238 yards passing on 21 for 28 efficiency, but the biggest story and the best attribute was the fact he did not throw an interception. Along with Manning managing this game well, the Giants handed the ball to Rashad Jennings 34 times allowing him to come away with a whopping 176 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants were tough as well. They came away with three interceptions and they only allowed Houston to total an average of 8 yards per passing play. These are the New York Giants that people have been used to seeing over the last 4-5 years. If they can continue to play with this type of efficiency, I could see them making a case for themselves in the NFC East race. Now, after all the positive comments I just made about the Giants against Houston, we have to get back to reality. The only reason I picked New York over Houston was because the stage was set for a Giants win. 0-2, playing at home, and a team in a different time zone had to come east…the Giants HAD to win that game. Now, we will see New York travel to a hostile environment in the nation’s capital Thursday night…things will not be in their favor. Will we see the Giants who played hard, disciplined football? Or will we see the team that throws three picks and allows the opposition to run all over them? Time will tell. The key to this game for New York is to keep the score low. They do not want to get into a back and forth shootout with the Skins….they will not win that war. The G-men need to rely on Jennings again to pound the ball, milk clock, and keep the Washington offense on the sideline. If New York can force a 17-14 type game, they can win this thing. If the score gets up into the 30s, I do not see them hanging.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Like I said in my opening statements, these NFC East games are crazy. In all of football, I never see as many crazy endings as I do in the NFC East match-ups. This rivalry has been very even as far as covering the spreads over the last three seasons. Since 2011, we sit at 3-3 against the spread in this game for both teams. Again, these games can go either way, but for some reason, I really like Washington at home in this one. I just believe that top to bottom, Washington is just a better team. I could be wrong, because I have been wrong a time or two, but I like Washington to come out and put a good effort in and get a double digit win over the New York Football Giants. I like Washington to win this game 27-17 at home. PICK THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS -3!!!!
Note: There are conflicting opinions on this game within the Predictem office. Our editor, who is a very good NFl handicapper, believes that the Skins secondary is too banged up to compete in this game and has the Giants winning straight up.