Washington Redskins NFL Betting Odds

2010 Season

Despite pre-season hype last year that the Washington Redskins were poised to finish top of the NFC East division (thanks largely to their highly-touted starting QB Donovan McNabb and legendary head coach Mike Shanahan), they turned out to be a wet squib, ending the season fourth in the division on 6-10. McNabb was subsequently traded to Minnesota in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2012.

2011 Off Season

As unequivocable proof that even the best laid plans often go awry in top-level American football, look no further than the Washington Redskins, who were supposedly serious contenders to reach the playoffs last year, but instead chalked up a losing season. So it was back to the drawing board for the team's two-time Super Bowl-winning coach. The off season saw the departure of QB Donovan McNabb, RB Clinton Portis, OT Stephon Heyer, Gs Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams, C Casey Rabach, DT Albert Haynesworth, DEs Jeremy Jarmon, Vonnie Holliday, Phillip Daniel and Andre Carter, NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu, CB Carlos Rogers and P Josh Bidwell. Veterans RB Tim Hightower, WR Jabar Gaffney, OT Sean Locklear, G Chris Chester, DE Stephen Bowen, NT Barry Cofield, CB Josh Wilson, FS O.J. Atogwe and P Sav Rocca were signed, while the 2011 NFL Draft yielded LB Ryan Kerrigan, DE Jarvis Jenkins, WRs Leonard Hankerson, Leonard Hankerson, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson, RBs Roy Helu and Evan Royster, and CB Dejon Gomes.

2011 Preview

In the off season, coach Shanahan 'cleaned house' by purging many far-too-expensive (and largely ineffective) veterans from the team, including Donovan McNabb, who in his single season with the Redskins failed to play up to expectation, and in fact regressed as the season went on, ultimately ending up on the bench. Shanahan then replaced many of them with younger, more enthusiastic players that could put the team back on a winning path, although not necessarily this season. Offensively, QB John Beck will start this season, while McNabb's replacement at the end of last season, QB Rex Grossman, will be his understudy. Beck will have to rely heavily on WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley, and possibly rookie WRs Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson. Another talented new draftee, RB Roy Helu, Jr. is expected come knocking on the doors of veteran RBs Ryan Torain and Tim Hightower. Defensively, Washington will also boast a host of new faces including DLs Ryan Kerrigan and Jarvis Jenkins, and DBs Dejon Gomes and Brandyn Thompson. DE Stephen Bowen and NT Barry Cofield should also help shore up the Redskins' defense some, while CB Josh Wilson is expected to add some much-needed depth to the secondary.

2011 Prediction

Despite the changes made to the Washington Redskins in the off season, there are many NFL betting fans who feel the team lacks any real substance. One area of concern is whether John Beck has the stones to lead the team's offense this season, which ranked an average 18th overall and disappointing 25th in scoring last season. Another is the Redskins' defense, which may show some improvement on last season, but most likely not enough to keep the majority of their rivals at bay.

**Our Pick

Looking at the Washington Redskins last season and judging by the changes they made in the off season, it's hard to get excited about their chances this year. Coach Shanahan has some way to go to remove the egg from his face after last season, while many players still have to prove their worth. I see the Redskins finishing last again in the NFC East on 5-11, or worse.