NFL Preseason Continues with Jags visiting Skins

The Washington Redskins (9-7 SU, 7-7-2 ATS in 2007 regular season; 3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS in pre-season) will try to bounce back from getting bounced out of Carolina, as they play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5 SU & ATS in 2007 regular season; 1-2 SU & ATS in pre-season) in an NFL matchup that is set to kick off at 7 PM ET at FedEx Field (natural turf) in Landover, MD.

Thursday, August 28

BetUS NFL Betting Odds: WASHINGTON -3, Total 34

NOTABLE STAT: Jags were third in NFL in road rushing defense in 2007 (87.8 ypg)

KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Jags have played 11 overs in last 15 pre-season games

In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Redskins are listed as a three-point favorite (at even money), with the total posted at 34 points.

Here are some NFL betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):

* JAX has won seven of its last ten games SU

* JAX has covered eight of its last ten games

* JAX has played 11 of its last 12 games OVER the total

* WASH has won and covered four of its last five games SU

* WASH has won four of its last six home games SU

* WASH has played eight of its last 12 games OVER the total

Pre-Season trends:

* JAX has won eight of its last 11 pre-season games SU

* JAX has played 11 of its last 15 pre-season games OVER the total

* JAX has won five of its last seven pre-season home games SU

* WASH has lost ten of its last 16 pre-season games SU

The Redskins started the pre-season with a huge win over Indianapolis in the Hall of Fame Game, then, though they did not score much against the Bills and Jets, rolled up 341 and 359 yards in those games and got solid performances for the most part out of Jason Campbell and Todd Collins. In the next-to-last pre-season game, it is usually time to give the starters the most in the way of playing time. But it looked as if every member of the Redskins took the night off against Carolina.

Washington registered only 208 total yards and gave up 402 to the Panthers, who scored 31 points in the second quarter. Both of the running backs Carolina is counting on - D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart - hit the century mark, leading a ground attack that exceeded seven yards per carry. Washington lost three fumbles. And to add injury to insult, Jason Taylor suffered a sprained right knee and appears to be 50-50 to start the season opener. The result was a 47-3 drubbing that justified much embarrassment.

Because the offense was so pitiful, coach Jim Zorn is going to play his offensive starters, who should be in there for at least a couple of series. According to Campbell, "We know what we're capable of as an offense, as a team, and we can't start the season like that."

Jacksonville, like Washington, played Saturday night and have a short week while traveling. The Jags beat Tampa Bay 23-17 but accumulated only 201 yards on offense. This is a team that can usually run the ball, but had only 79 total yards on the ground in the last two games. And there aren't really any receivers who can stretch the field. Jack Del Rio will play the starts a bit on Saturday, but they will not play much.