Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 9/9/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV:  FOX
Opening Point Spread:  New Orleans -9.5
Current Betting Line:  New Orleans -7.5
Opening Total:  50.5
Current Total:  49.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Washington is focused on putting last year’s 5-11 record behind the franchise, as it made the necessary moves in the offseason to select Robert Griffin III with the second overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.  The Redskins have been looking up at the rest of the NFC East teams for quite some time, going 23-41 over the last four campaigns, which has last year’s Heisman Trophy winner motivated.  Washington is 9-6 ATS on the road the last two seasons, with the “under” going 8-7 in that situation.

The Redskins will be searching for a running game to try and make things easier on Griffin III in the early going, ranking 25th in the league in gaining 1,614 yards on the ground, which was an improvement from their 30th mark in 2010.  Washington should be able to move the football with its season-opening opponent still adjusting to life without its suspended defensive coordinator.  Head coach Mike Shanahan has compiled solid numbers in lid lifters during his career, while the franchise has won eight of 11 meetings in this series on the road.

New Orleans just learned on Friday that its previously suspended players from Bountygate will be available to play the entire season.  “It’s huge,” commented Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins.  The Saints are still going to be without head coach Sean Payton, but the offense is in good hands with Drew Brees under center.  The perennial Pro Bowl quarterback finished with an NFL single-season record 5,476 passing yards in 2011.  New Orleans is 3-0 ATS as a home favorite of 7.5 to 10 points the last two seasons.

The Saints will be led on the sidelines by offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who will be serving in that role for six games until interim head coach Joe Vitt returns from a six-game suspension.  New Orleans should benefit in starting the season inside the Superdome, as the franchise has compiled a dominating 25-7 record inside the venue since 2008, including wins in 12 of its last 13 games.

Sports bettors will likely back the Redskins due to their 13-11 ATS mark as an underdog the last two seasons, while the Saints have gone 7-9 ATS in the first half of the season the last two years.

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