Washington Football Team at Arizona Cardinals
Time: 3:05 PM (EST)
Spread: ARI -7.5
Total: 47
Odds c/o 5dimes
The Washington Team (Wow, this is awkward) will be traveling to face the Arizona Cardinals coming off its 27-17 Week 1 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington finds itself 7.5-point underdogs on the road this week, and the over/under is set at 47 points according to NFL oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes. The game will air at 3 PM (EST) on FOX.
WAS news & notes:
Washington defeated Philadelphia in Week 1 on the strength of an offense that generated just 239 total yards, but a defense that managed to hold Philadelphia to 265 yards, as Washington escaped with a 7-point win in Week 1. Dwayne Haskins threw 17 of 31 with a touchdown, but he did not record a TD, while also incurring three sacks for 19 lost yards. His rush was mostly ineffective as well, going seven times for just 17 yards.
No. 1 backfield option Peyton Barber was rather weak, with just 29 yards on his 17 rushing attempts, but he did gather the only rushing touchdowns or TDs at all, for Washington.
Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims Jr combined to catch 8 of 10 targeted passes for 111 yards between them. Sims fumbled but it was recovered.
Haskins committed a fumble as well, for the Washington team. Taking care of the football will have to be a priority because it will unlikely prevail with carelessness this week against the Cardinals, especially on the road. It was outgunned last week in total yards, but used some timely execution to secure an improbable victory.
The Eagles led Washington 17-7 at the half but failed to score in the second half, and the Washington team will need equally as a strong defense this week throughout the duration of the game to have a good shot as prevailing in a game it is a rather heavy underdog in. Haskins has shown promise, but he is going to have elevated the offense several notches in Week 2.
ARI news & notes:
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-20 in Week 1. It returns home this week to host Washington as 7.5 point favorites. Kyler Murray looked good in Week 1. He threw 26 of 40 for 230 yards and a TD, though he did have one pick and was sacked twice. Murray still did work: He rushed 13 times for 91 yards and a TD, including a long-rush of 25 yards, the best of the day. Kenyan Drake led the team in attempts (16) and finished with 60 yards and a TD. DeAndre Hopkins shined at WR, catching 14 of 16 targeted passes for 151 yards. Larry Fitzgerald was No. 2 with four catches for 34 yards. Budda Baker was a monster for the defense. He finished with 15 total tackles, 10 solos, and was all over.
The Cardinals may look to increase its defensive pressure to force some misuse from Haskins, but it had little chance in Week 1 of slowing Murray. Arizona was a step slow on Murray’s quickness, and Haskins certainly is capable of posing similar problems while he is at his best. The Cardinals are hoping for better kicking from its kicker, Zane Gonzalez, who finished just 1 of 3, though his hit was a massive 56-yarder and he completed all three of his PATs. With proper special team execution, it could raise the bar just out of the reach of this week’s opponent.
To that end, Chase Edmonds is a superb punt returner and had a 42-yard return last week that was fairly impressive. Arizona does have sufficient talent to make a run this year, but it will require the team gelling perhaps quicker than expected with a talented but inexperienced Murray guiding the show.
