posted November 3, 2008 at 13:43 EST in NFL Free Picks
NFL MNF Betting - Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins
by BetUS Staff
If the Washington Redskins (6-2, 5-3 ATS) are going to win and cover on the NFL betting board against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, 3-4 ATS) in the Monday nighter, they’ll have to do so against the league’s best defense.
Washington has rolled along to one of the NFL’s top records SU and against the number because of its efficient offense, which will be put to the test against Pittsburgh. The Steelers lead the league in defense at 236.0 yards against per game, and are third against the run at a stifling 71.6 yards against on the ground.
Oddsmakers have the Redskins as 1.5-point home favorites for the contest, with the total set at 36.5.
The Redskins are coming off a 25-17 win over the Detroit Lions last week, as Washington barely covered as 7-point road faves in the payday. Quarterback Jason Campbell went 23-of-28 for 328 yards with a touchdown for the Redskins, who held the Lions to only 57 yards rushing. Running back Clinton Portis ran for 126 yards on 24 carries in the win, while wide receiver Santana Moss hauled in nine passes for 140 yards with a score for Washington.
Portis is listed as probable for Monday’s matchup, while Moss is expected to miss the game for the Redskins. The NFL’s leading rusher heading into Week 9, Portis is dealing with an ankle injury that could limit his effectiveness against the Steelers’ defensive front seven. Moss is questionable with a strained hamstring, and his absence could spell trouble for a Washington passing game that is going up against the league’s best passing defense in Pittsburgh.
Moss and Portis aren’t the only players ailing for the Redskins, who are just as depleted on the defensive side of the football. While cornerback Fred Smoot is probable with a groin injury, safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) is questionable, and CB Shawn Springs and defensive end Jason Taylor are both on the sidelines with calf injuries.
The Steelers are dealing with key injuries of their own, although the outlook is brighter for Pittsburgh. RB Willie Parker is expected to start in the backfield after being out with a knee injury, while WR Santonio Holmes returns after sitting out last week following a one-game suspension. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (toe) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) are questionable for the Steelers, who are without CB Bryant McFadden (forearm).
Pittsburgh blew a 14-12 lead with 8:21 remaining to fall to the New York Giants 21-14 last Sunday. QB Ben Roethlisberger struggled to find his rhythm, going 13-of-29 for 189 yards with a TD pass and four interceptions for the Steelers, who failed to cash for backers as 3-point home favorites. RB Mewelde Moore rambled for 84 yards on 19 attempts with a touchdown, as Pittsburgh lost despite holding the Giants to 83 yards on the ground.
The Steelers are looking for their first win of the season against the NFC East, which is easier said than done considering how things have gone thus far. Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU against AFC opponents, but has dropped games to the Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. It’s not as if the Steelers have to win outright for bettors against the Redskins, although they’ll have to come pretty close as 1.5-point dogs. If anything, the line will move towards Pittsburgh as the game approaches kickoff, with nearly 60% of wagers throughout the week on the Steelers.
The game opened with the Redskins as 2.5-point favorites, but public action has forced oddsmakers to shift the spread. One thing for handicappers to consider with the Presidential election on the horizon is Washington’s history on the gridiron. The Redskins have predicted the outcome in 12 straight Presidential votes based on their last game before the vote, with the party in power staying in the White House if Washington wins. This means that if the Redskins get by the Steelers on Monday night, then John McCain could very well be on his way to an upset in the Electoral College on Tuesday.
