St Louis Rams (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) vs. Washington Redskins (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS)
NFL Week 2
Date/Time: September 20, 2015, 1:00PM EST
Where: FedEx Field
TV: FOX
by Wilson, NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: STL -3.5/WSH +3.5
Over/Under Total: 41.5
Bet your Rams/Redskins pick at an online sportsbook where your credit card WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% bonus up to $250 FREE: Bovada Sportsbook. Great live in-game betting too!
The St. Louis Rams hit the road this weekend to take on the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Rams are coming off of an overtime victory over the Seattle Seahawks last weekend in St. Louis 34-31. Washington also opened their season at home last weekend but lost 17-10 to the Miami Dolphins. Early indications likely favor the Rams simply because they are healthier and have less key players missing from their starting roster.
Washington looked strong early against the Dolphins in week 1 as they led 10-0. Redskins starting QB Kirk Cousins threw for 196 yards and a touchdown. RB Alfred Morris rushed for 121 yards on 25 carries. The Redskins offense had 188 total passing yards and 161 total yards on the ground. WR and deep threat DeSean Jackson will be out for 3-4 weeks with a pulled hamstring. Without Jackson the Redskins will have to call on other players to step upone of those may be RB Morris who they hope will continue to have 100-plus yard rushing games. In addition to Morris, I look for the other receivers to get more touches in an effort to assuage the loss of Jackson. WR Ryan Grant can run better routes than Jackson but defenses are not afraid of him blowing by them. WR Jamison Crowder can also be a big playmaker though he operates out of the slot but perhaps just as important, Crowder can fill in as the punt returner in the absence of Jackson. WRs Rashad Ross (who has never caught a ball in the NFL but proved he has speed during the preseason) and Pierre Garcon (Kirk Cousins favorite target) can also help the Skins attack. Either way, Washington will be missing DeSean Jackson and only hope they can cover for him until he returns.
Defensively for the Redskins, CB DeAngelo Hall racked up 8 tackles against the Dolphins last week while DE Jason Hatcher added 1 sack and 4 tackles of his own. The Skins defense will be matched up against a very solid Rams offense that put up 34 points on the Seahawks who are one of the top defenses in the NFL.
Nick Foles played well enough to keep Seattles defense at bay and often hit his targets without too much hassle. Foles completed 18 of 27 passes for 297 yards and a touchdown. But the real story behind this game for the Rams was on special teams. St. Louis hit all their FGs and new, longer extra points, as well as matched Seattles Tyler Locketts punt return with one of their own by Tavon Austin. However, the play of the game went to undrafted rookie Bradley Marquez who was savvy enough to call for a fair catch off a Steven Hauschka squib kick. The play resulted in the Rams scoring the winning points.
The Redskins will need to have a plan for the Rams defense, specifically DT Aaron Donald who literally killed Seattle. Donald finished the game versus Seattle with 9 tackles (3 for a loss) 2 sacks, and a significant QB hit. He shined last season in spurts but this year he is already blowing by guys or through them and putting pressure on the QB. The Rams D looked midseason already and they will continue to get better if they stay healthy.
The Rams will be tough to handle for the Redskins even at home. This team is determined to make their move this season and they started by knocking off a very good Seattle Seahawks team. If the Redskins want to compete this weekend they will need all of their players to step up and make plays on 3rd down and put up more than the 10 points they managed to score last week. I like the confidence and swagger that St. Louis currently has on the fieldthey are playing good football and it is just week two! Dont be surprised if the Rams come to DC and blowout the Redskins. I like the Rams to cover all the way. Luck to ya.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Rams cover the spread.
Additional NFL Football Betting Previews
