The Washington Redskins need a win before their bye week. But what do the odds say about their chances on Sunday afternoon?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a bye. The Washington Redskins are coming off, yet another, disappointing loss. Someone has to walk off the field with a victory. And both teams need one.
The Redskins are listed as 3-point favorites at home against Tampa Bay at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In addition to trying to move closer to .500 before their bye week, the Redskins may be buoyed a bit by memories of last year’s 27-7 loss to the Buccaneers, one of Washington’s more embarrassing defeats of the 2014 season.
It’s been an injury-plagued season for Washington and while the squad will be without several key names once again, including wide receiver DeSean Jackson, tight end Jordan Reed is set to return after being cleared by an independent neurologist on Thursday evening. That means Kirk Cousins has another option down the field and a viable threat on third down. Reed has produced first downs on 18 of his 24 receptions so far this season.
Washington is 3-3 ATS this year, but just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games at home and 5-12 SU in their last 17 games in October. Historically, the Redskins are 3-3 overall, 2-3 ATS and 1-4 Over/Under in their last 10 games at home against Tampa Bay according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
Despite some serious interception issues, the Redskins are determined to stay with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s rookie woes with QB Jameis Winston may take a turn on Sunday afternoon. Over the past few seasons the Redskins have struggled against first-year quarterbacks, going 2-3 against the past five rookie quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall. The key is to force Winston, who has seven touchdowns and seven picks, into rushed plays and prevent him from settling into a rhythm.
Tampa Bay is 4-20 SU in its last 24 games, but 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road. Also important to take note of – the Buccaneers are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games after the bye on the road since 1991.
The total for Sunday night’s Tampa Bay vs. Washington betting matchup is set at 45.5 at the sportsbooks. The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Tampa Bay’s last 15 games and has also gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games.
The OddsShark Computer is projecting a 24.4 – 20.6 Redskins victory.
Buccaneers vs. Redskins pick: Washington SU & ATS