Sunday NFL Betting: Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams
Sunday, 10/2/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Washington -1.5
Current Betting Line: Washington -3
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 44
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Rams 49ers NFL Preview — The St. Louis Rams have the second-worst point differential in the NFL this season

Washington lost its first game of the 2011 regular season last week, dropping an 18-16 decision to the Dallas Cowboys as 3.5-point road underdogs on Monday Night Football. The Redskins lost the statistical battle for the first time this year, getting out-gained by 77 yards. This will be the 32nd regular-season meeting between these two teams, with the Redskins leading the series by a hefty 21-9-1 margin. Washington is 2-1 ATS on the season and the ‘under’ is 2-1 over that span. The team is a terrible 1-6 ATS as a favorite the last two-plus seasons.

The Redskins were 0-2 inside domes last season, with their last win coming on Oct. 26, 2008, in a 25-17 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Washington will travel 12,342 miles during the 2011 season, which is the 22nd most in the NFL. Quarterback Rex Grossman has done a solid job under center in the early going and will be facing a defense that has allowed 440.7 yards per game, which is worst in the NFC. These two teams met last year, with the Redskins dropping a 30-16 contest as 4.5-point road favorites with Donovan McNabb at quarterback.

St. Louis desperately needs a win after dropping its first three games of the season, including a 37-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens as 4.5-point home underdogs last week. The Rams were thoroughly embarrassed and out-gained by an incredible 309 yards. It has led to the franchise having the second-worst point differential in the league and caused its head coach to seek out advice from Tony LaRussa, the manager of the city’s baseball franchise. “You don’t worry about stats or any of that stuff, you just worry about winning the game,” Steve Spagnuolo stated this week in practice. St. Louis is 8-10 ATS at home the last two-plus seasons.

The Rams will need a big game from second-year quarterback Sam Bradford, who should enter this contest with confidence due to completing 23 of 37 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in last year’s meeting. He hopes that running back Steven Jackson will be in the backfield behind him, as the former Oregon State Beavers star practiced sparingly this week with a quad injury. Spagnuolo would love to get the ball in his hands more often in this crucial contest. “He’s running around pretty good,” he commented. “I don’t think he’s 100 percent, but he is getting there.”