When the Washington Redskins head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals Thursday night, the ‘Skins will travel farther than any other preseason team this year. In fact, this will be the longest road trip for the Redskins all season long. “Why couldn’t they come here?” asked guard Derrick Dockery. Head coach Mike Shanahan added, “It’s a little unusual traveling that far.” These are not the kind of comments you want to be reading if you are backing Washington. Considering this is the final week of the preseason and the game doesn’t really matter, Redskins bettors should be very worried.

The public is currently betting Washington around 60%. Yet according to our NFL betting lines page, the opening line of Arizona favored by 3 ½ points has jumped up significantly to the Cardinals favored by 6 points. That kind of reverse action means the wiseguys must be hitting this game hard.

Having to travel cross-country is probably one reason the professional bettors are breaking with the public. But beyond that Shanahan has indicated that this game is a showcase for players looking to make the 53 player roster cuts come this Saturday, rather than a final tune-up for starters. “There are players on this team that are preparing for week one. I’m looking at Dallas,” said center Casey Rabach. “It’s kind of like a bye week,” said backup quarterback Rex Grossman. At quarterback, Donovan McNabb is out and Grossman might start and play a series or two. If Grossman does play, the vast majority of the game will be handled by the two Redskins quarterbacks battling for the third-string position: John Beck and Richard Bartel.

While Shanahan is planning to evaluate Beck and Bartel, he’s also eying the running backs as well. Starting running back Clinton Portis is not expected to suit up, along with other offensive starters. A carousel of four running backs will all likely see time against Arizona: Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, rookie Keiland Williams and second-year back Ryan Torain. Chances are that two of the four will be cut.

Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to use this game to determine which of his two main quarterbacks will be the regular season starter. Both Derek Anderson and Matt Leinart are set to see a good deal of action against Washington. Leinart began the preseason as the starter, but Whisenhunt has been displeased with Leinart’s play and started Anderson last week against Chicago. Whisenhunt has indicated that he plans to start Anderson again this week, though he has held off declaring a starter for week one. Leinart will follow Anderson, and then John Skelton and Max Hall should both see some playing time as they try to convince the Arizona coaching staff to keep them on the roster.

This match-up is shaping up to favor Arizona covering a 6 point spread. Shanahan is aiming to evaluate which players should remain with the team while Whisenhunt is still trying to find a starting quarterback. The personnel for both teams will show great effort – that’s not the point here. The point is that between Anderson/Leinart and Beck/Bartel, I’m inclined to side with the former. Additionally, Washington has to travel across the country to play this game. The wiseguys are playing the Cardinals. To find the sure bets Thursday night, make sure to grab one of Maddux Sports’ guaranteed premium picks packages.