Monday Night Football Preview: San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins
Monday, 11/25/13, 8:40 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: San Francisco -4
Current Betting Line: San Francisco -4.5
Opening Total: 47.5
Current Total: 47
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Washington Redskins are 1-6 SUATS as underdogs this season

San Francisco has dropped back-to-back games, including a 23-20 setback to the New Orleans Saints as 3.5-point road underdogs last Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total in each of those affairs. The 49ers have actually been out-gained in seven of their last nine games, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting picks in Week 12. The team was considered one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, but finds itself 3.5 games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco is 4-1 SUATS as road favorites of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 4-1 in that situation.

The 49ers need a big performance out of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is completing just 56.2 percent of his passes, which ranks 31st in the league. San Francisco has connected on just 24 pass plays of 20 yards or more during the 2013 campaign. Running back Frank Gore may be the key player to handicap in this contest, as Monday night’s visitor ranks fifth in the NFL in averaging 141.0 rushing yards per game.

Washington is also mired in a two-game losing streak despite winning the statistical battle in each of those affairs away from home, including a 24-16 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles as 4.5-point underdogs last week. The Redskins have managed to gain 400-plus yards in three consecutive games for the first time in 30 years, which is important to consider when looking over the pro football odds page. The unit has converted touchdowns in the red zone on 58 percent of its trips over the last three games. Washington is 1-6 SUATS as underdogs this season, with the OVER going 4-3 in those seven opportunities.

The Redskins have one of the best runners in the game in second-year back Alfred Morris, who has gained 2,531 yards on the ground since being selected in the 2012 NFL draft. In the month of November, Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III has played his best football, but he’ll need a big performance against one of the league’s best teams.