Jaguars- Redskins
Time: 1 PM EST
Line: WAS -6
Total: 43.5
Betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker
Dating back to last season the Washington Redskins have now lost their last nine games. Despite that, the Skins made the postseason two seasons ago while winning the NFC East division.
Last season, however, the scoring dipped to just 20.9 points per game, good for 23rd in the NFL. Robert Griffin III was benched the final eight games of the season.
Last week was another disappointment, despite Griffin’s 267 passing yards. Most of those were in garbage time, as the Skins lost 17-6 to the Houston Texans. Griffin was also sacked three times. Alfred Morris and Roy Helu did well in the backfield, but that was the result of 2/3rds of the plays being passing plays. The tandem combined for 137 yards on 18 carries.
Gruden commented, “If I had it all to do over again, I probably would have run the ball more than I did.” That is a given, since the backfield did so well on limited carries.
Griffin should have better luck against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. The Jags allowed a 68-yard rush to take the go ahead lead. Still, the Jags lost 34-17. Defensively, the Jaguars were better. The Jags racked up five sacks on Nick Foles. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley designed the Seattle Seahawks D, which was responsible for allowing just 84 passing yards in the 24-14 loss.
Griffin is looking to be more of a pocket passer. He’s no longer wearing the motion slowed Griffin down and took the zip out of his passes. Jacksonville will employ plenty of blitzes the put the pressure on Griffin. Besides Maclins TD, Darren Sproles also scored a 49 yard TD run.
The Redskins will be without TE Jordan Reed, who pulled his hamstring in last week’s loss. He’s doubtful (see: won’t play) and defensive lineman Kedric Golston is also out with a groin injury. Also, Barry Cofield is out with an ankle sprain and will miss the next eight games after being put on the short-term injury list.
In the Skins favor, it has defeated the Jags four of the last five games (2-0 at home), and the Redskins won 20-17 in OT. It came in 2010, the last meeting of these two squads.
