Redskins – Cardinals
Time: 4:25 ET
Spread: ARI -3

Betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker

Despite having gone 1-4 thus far, the Washington Redskins have had a lot of success with its pass attack and a passably good defense. Even so, stopping this three-game losing streak will take some luck with NFL oddsmakers favoring the hosting Arizona Cardinals by 3-points in NFL odds.

The Redskins have suffered from the loss of star QB Robert Griffin. Coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday he doesn’t see Griffin coming back any time soon from the ankle injury he incurred. In his stead has been Kirk Cousins, and the third-year QB from Michigan State has had his struggles.

Cousins has thrown 61.3 percent for completion, with eight TDs to five INTs, and has fumbled once. His QB rating of 90.9 isn’t bad, but pales in comparison to what RGIII may have accomplished this season.

Last week, Cousins threw for 283 yards and two TDs in a 27-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was coming off a horrible game against the Giants in Week 3 in which he threw four interceptions.

That said, the Redskins will have their work cut out for them in beating the Cardinals in this contest.

Arizona is 3-1 on the season after suffering a loss to the Denver Broncos last week. The team reeled off three straight wins this season against the Chargers, Giants and 49ers before taking the 4th week off with a bye.

The Cardinals have been fantastic at stopping the run this season, allowing just 76.8 rushing yards per game. Teams have fared much better attacking Arizona’s backfield, throwing for 302.5 yards per game (2nd worst in the NFL).

This odd (and ineffective) defense combined with a middling offense is what helped the Broncos demolish Arizona last week. Arizona allowed a whopping 568 yards to Denver while still limiting the rush to 67 yards (but on seven carries). The Broncos controlled the game, the clock, and despite turning it over two times had no problem disposing of the Cardinals.

Despite Arizona’s deceiving 3-1 record, this really isn’t a matchup of NFL juggernauts, at least this season. The Redskins are just trying to scrape by without RG3, and the Cardinals showed its true colors against a much tougher team in week 5. Expect the Cardinals to blitz a weak line a lot in this, which could lead to a 7 point-plus victory over the Washington Redskins.