Kansas City Chiefs (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) vs. Washington Redskins (3-9 SU, 3-9 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date and Time: Sunday December 8, 2013 1pm EST
Where: FedEx Field, Landover MD
TV: CBS
by Tim, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: KC -3.5/WASH +3.5
Over/Under Total: 45
The Redskins welcome in a limping Chiefs team looking for their first win in four game this Sunday in Landover. CBS has the call and Robert Griffin III isnt as bad as most suggest! The Broncos waltzed into Arrowhead and put together Act Number II of Now Youre Playin Somebody written, produced, and directed by Peyton Manning in front of a packed house in Kansas City. Washington played pretty well against a moderately horrible Brandon Jacobs-less New York Giants team Sunday Night. Truly, the Redskins were jobbed by the Refs coming down the stretch in the final 2 minutes piecing together a well orchestrated last minute drive. The Chiefs in defeat, showed plenty of fight against the Broncos making this matchup even more interesting. Lets take a look at these teams!
The Redskins in 2013 have been a disappointment—to anyone not familiar with most upstart programs led by a Rookie QB; Robert Griffin III. RGIII was absolutely brilliant last year as the Redeemer of a Redskin franchise having only two winning seasons since 2000. Looking at 2013s numbers and 2012s numbers, the Redskins are virtually identical in every single category with the exception of three; Points For, Points Against, and Turnover margin. Last year the Redskins were 5th in total offensive yards and this year theyre 7th. Last year Washington ended up 28th in total yards allowed and in 2013, the Redskins are 22nd. This year the Redskins strength of schedule is virtually the same as last year and in yardage differential (the difference between offensive yards produced and defensive yards allowed), the Redskins are an identical 13th in the NFL in both 2012 and 2013! The biggest differences from the 2012 Redskins and 2013 Redskins lay at the foot of points for (19th this year, 4th last year), points against (22nd in 2012, 31st in 2013), and Takeaway/Giveaway margin (3rd last year, 29th this year). In 2012, LB London Fletcher, CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Josh Wilson, and OLB Rob Jackson accounted for 13 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries; 18 total turnovers. Three-fourths of the way through the 2013 season, that same group has 4 Interceptions and 1 fumble recovery; 5 total turnovers. The message of this years demise is very clear; Outside Linebacker Rob Jacksons suspension of 4 games by the Skins, LB London Fletchers inability to play at high level, and CB Josh Wilsons inability to create picks have crushed the Skins hopes for 2013. DeAngleo Hall has remained very steady in his production with 3 picks thus far in 2013. Rob Jackson and his Personal Problems have hurt the Redskins exponentially putting pressure on an offense that needs to be loose and creative! Rob Jackson had 4 Interceptions in 2012 and 35 tackles in 2012. This year, Jackson has ZERO INTs and 9 tackles; huge difference for the Skins.
Kansas City should be thrilled at 9-3 and are pretty much, the 2012 Redskins! KC had the exact same problem last year as the Redskins are having this year! KC statistically was right around the same in 2012 and 2013 in defensive yards against and offensive yards for. The biggest difference in the 2013 Chiefs is in points for, points against, and Takeaway/Giveaway differential. In 2012, KC was 32nd (dead last) in the NFL in points for. In 2013, the Chiefs are 9th in points for. In 2012, Kansas City was 25th in points against. In 2013, the Chiefs are 4th in points against. Takeaway/Giveaway differential: 2012 saw the Chiefs next to last in the NFL at number 31. In 2013, the Chiefs are 1st in the NFL with Takeaway/Giveaway differential. This aint Rocket Science! The biggest change in the 2013 KC Chiefs from the 2012 KC Chiefs is the great play of DBs Quinton Demps, Marcus Cooper, and Sean Smith!!!! Those three terrors have combined for 10 Turnovers and almost 100 tackles the Chiefs DIDNT have in 2012! Justin Houston and Tamba Hali have almost the same exact sack numbers in 2012, as they do in 2013. Last year, the Chiefs had a combined 20 Interceptions by QBs Brady Quinn and Matt Cassell. Three-quarters of the way through the 2013 season, Chiefs QB Alex Smith has thrown just 6 INTs. HUGE DROP IN QB Turnovers!
So, the 2013 Chiefs are pretty much the 2012 Redskins. The 2013 Redskins are pretty much the 2012 Chiefs. About this time last year, the 2012 Redskins were hitting their stride beating the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland 38-21. At around the same time last year, the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs were at home beating the Carolina Panthers 27-21. Im going with last years numbers and allowing history to repeat itself. If the Chiefs are the 2012 Redskins (and I think they are!) then it is the Chiefs by 10 points over Washington in Landover. The 2013 Chiefs do not turn the ball over and the 2013 Redskins do!
Tims Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Kansas City Chiefs -3.5
