WASHINGTON vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -4.5
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , WASHINGTON

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the WASHINGTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.5.

The battle for the last playoff spot comes down to the last game of the season and involves one of the last teams anyone thought would be in this position back in September.

The Washington Football Team (6-9), which began the season by abandoning a controversial nickname and ends it by moving on from a controversial quarterback, will clinch the NFC East with a victory Sunday night against the host Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1).

A loss to the Eagles will give the division title and No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs to the winner of Sunday afternoon’s game between the visiting Dallas Cowboys (6-9) and New York Giants (5-10).

Washington played well in two previous appearances in the national spotlight, roasting the Cowboys 41-16 on Thanksgiving Day and defeating the previously unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers 23-17 in a Monday game in Week 13. Both of those wins were on the road.

“The one thing I will say, the other two games we’ve been on the stage: our guys came out and played well and had fun,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got to get back to having a little bit of fun. The truth of the matter is we’re playing with house money. That’s the best part about it.”

In his first season on the job, Rivera has Washington on the brink of its first playoff berth since 2015.

“Take the pressure off ourselves and go have fun. That’s the truth of the matter,” Rivera said. “We control our own destiny. It’s in our hands. All the cliches. We’re going to have fun with it and go with it.”

Second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins won’t be part of the fun. Washington released the 2019 first-round pick on Monday, the day after he committed three turnovers in a 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers and a few days after he was fined $40,000 and stripped of his captaincy for COVID-19 protocol violations.

Haskins passed for 178 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s season-opening 27-17 victory against Carson Wentz and the Eagles. Sixteen weeks later, Haskins is gone and Wentz is on the bench for the fourth straight game since losing his job to rookie Jalen Hurts.

Rivera is hoping Alex Smith will return after missing two games with an injured right calf. If not, Taylor Heinicke will run the offense for Washington. Smith did not practice Wednesday.

The Eagles, who have allowed 1,039 yards in their last two losses, want to make sure whoever is under center for Washington does not have any fun Sunday night.

Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz issued a “no-hat rule” this week, meaning he wants to make sure Washington doesn’t get to celebrate at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We’ve got to have a no-hat rule this week,” he said. “We can’t let opponents put division win hats on at the Linc. There’s a lot of pride in that, and all our focus has to be to accomplishing that this week.”

Nine players did not practice for the Eagles on Wednesday, including defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck), defensive end Derek Barnett (calf), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (ankle) and tight end Dallas Goedert (calf). Linebacker Duke Riley (biceps) was a limited participant.

In addition to Smith, leading rusher Antonio Gibson (toe) and leading receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle) were among the six players held out of practice Wednesday by Washington. Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle) and defensive tackle Tim Settle (shoulder) were limited participants.

The post WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA 1/3/2021 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

It’s unclear when a new name will be revealed for one of the league’s oldest franchises.

USA Today, ESPN, The Washington Post, Washington Times and Sports Business Journal reported Sunday night that owner Dan Snyder is set to “retire” the name. Yahoo, on Saturday, reported a name change was imminent.

The team launched a ‘thorough review’ of the name July 3 that the NFL supported. That came in the aftermath of to change the name.

FedEx is the title sponsor of the team’s stadium in Landover, Maryland, and CEO Frederick Smith is a minority owner. Nike and other companies pulled team gear from their online stores.

Over a dozen Native American leaders and organizations

to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week demanding an immediate end to Washington’s use of the name. In the letter that was obtained by The Associated Press, they said they “expect the NFL to engage in a robust, meaningful reconciliation process with Native American movement leaders, tribes, and organizations to repair the decades of emotional violence and other serious harms this racist team name has caused to Native Peoples.”

The post Washington to shed ‘Redskins’ name Monday appeared first on IdealCapper.

With the nation embroiled in social turmoil and economic upheaval, merchandise with the Washington nickname. For good measure, that would be more in tune with the current times rather than, say, the 1800s.

So, while what it calls a “thorough review” that almost will surely lead to a replacement by 2021 at the latest, let’s explore a few possibilities:

GENERALS – This would be a nod to who spent decades serving as the Harlem Globetrotters’ nightly pushovers, compiling a record of one win and somewhere north of 16,000 losses before they went out of business in 2015. Washington’s NFL team hasn’t been quite that bad in recent years, but it did go 3-13 a year ago and last won a playoff game in 2005. If Generals doesn’t work out, how about the Federals? They were during the 1980s, going 7-29 over two seasons in the ill-fated spring football league. A seamless transition, that would be.

GRIDLOCK – The District of Columbia has some of the in the nation, so this would seem fitting to all those commuters who’ve been spent roughly the time it takes to play an NFL game just trying to get to work. Also, it sums up our current political climate.

BLAZE – During the War of 1812, the to numerous government buildings including the White House and the Capitol. Not necessarily a proud moment in the nation’s history, but probably a notch above Dan Snyder’s embarrassing tenure as team owner.

BUREAUCRATS – The team could pay tribute to all those nameless workers who keep the wheels of government droning along through turbulent times. They’ve certainly shown more imagination than some of Washington’s offensive schemes over the past couple of decades.

FOGGY BOTTOM BOYS – Foggy Bottom is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, which would give Washington’s NFL team a chance to play off the fictional band created for the Coen Brothers’ classic movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” were fronted by a lip-syncing George Clooney, who hopefully could be persuaded to cut a video for the team’s new right song, “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.” It’s a catchier tune (and certainly more appropriate for the long-suffering fan base) than the hokey “Hail to the ….”

BLOSSOMS – While perhaps lacking the machismo of other potential monikers, for roughly as long as the hopes of a Washington NFL fan each season. About two weeks.

SENATORS – was so horrible most years that its derisive motto became, “First in war, first in peace, last in the American League.” Hmm, that sounds familiar. Other names that were once used by pro sports franchises in the district include the Diplomats (a long-forgotten soccer team from the 1970s) and the Ambassadors (a team that never got off the ground in the World Football League). But forget about the Bullets, the NBA Wizards’ former name. That one was dropped because of its association with gun violence. It ain’t coming back.

HOGS – This name hearkens back to the team’s most glorious era, when a group of down-and-dirty behemoths dominated the offensive line of scrimmage and bullied Washington to three Super Bowl titles under Joe Gibbs. This might be the best way to appease those fans who are sure to object to changing the offensive moniker.

MONUMENTS – C’mon, how can you not like the Washington Monuments! A worthy tribute to the city’s stunning array of marble and granite remembrances, which honor everyone from to Martin Luther King Jr. to the veterans of the Vietnam War. Some great logo possibilities, for sure.

RED TAILS — This is our pick. It maintains a link to the team’s current abomination of a name but also salutes the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the group of who broke down racial stereotypes during World War II.

Finally, Washington’s NFL team would have a name everyone could cheer with pride.

The post Column: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team appeared first on IdealCapper.

Even though owner Dan Snyder had shown no willingness to change the name since buying the team in 1999, the recent national conversation on race has

and prompted sponsors to speak up. With support from the NFL, it may finally lead to a new moniker for the long-struggling storied franchise with long-ago Super Bowl success.

“In the last few weeks, we have had ongoing discussions with Dan, and we are supportive of this important step,”

In a statement, the team said recent events around the U.S. and feedback from the community prompted the formal review.

“This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field,” Snyder said.

Native American advocacy groups have tried for decades to force a change, and a peer-reviewed UC Berkeley study released earlier this year revealed 67% of those surveyed who strongly identify as Native agreed or strongly agreed the name was offensive. The death of George Floyd in Minnesota and other examples of police brutality against Black people in the U.S. sparked protests worldwide and changes to various brands considered racially insensitive.

Asked last month about the name, a spokesman said the team had no comment. But this week marked a possible sea change on the issue with investors writing to FedEx, PepsiCo and other sponsors hoping they would influence change.

publicly. The title sponsor of the team’s stadium in Landover, Maryland, FedEx said Thursday, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.” FedEx paid $205 million in 1999 for the naming rights to the stadium.

On Thursday night, Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. Nike said Friday it has shared its concerns with the NFL over the name and is “pleased to see the team taking a first step towards change.”

PepsiCo, a sponsor since 2017, expressed a similar sentiment and said, “We believe it is time for a change.” Sponsor Bank of America said it has “encouraged the team to change the name” and welcomed the organization’s review.

Coach Ron Rivera, who said in a recent radio interview now is not the time to discuss the name, called it “an issue of personal importance.” Rivera, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent and is the only Hispanic head coach currently in the NFL, added he’d work closely with Snyder during the process.

“There is no reason not to immediately announce that the team is changing the mascot, since any real review will lead to the inevitable conclusion that the deeply offensive and racist name of Washington’s NFL team must go now,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter, leader of the “Change the Mascot” campaign. “Dan Snyder can stand on the right side of history and create a new, positive legacy for his team, or instead continue embracing a bigoted slur that denigrates Native Americans and people of color.”

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said recently the name was an “obstacle” to the team building a stadium in the District. The current lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027, and the old RFK Stadium site in Washington is one of several options for the team’s new headquarters, along with locations in Maryland and Virginia.

The team in late June

. A monument of Marshall was also removed from the RFK Stadium site.

Marshall’s granddaughter supported those moves and recently told The Associated Press she’s fine with the team changing its name.

“I think if anybody’s offended that they should change the name,” Wright said. “I’ve always felt that way.”

The post Redskins to have ‘thorough review’ of name amid race debate appeared first on IdealCapper.

The team said Friday it has been talking to the NFL for weeks about the subject. In a statement, the team said recent events around the U.S. and feedback from the community prompted the formal review.

“This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field,” owner Dan Snyder said.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “In the last few weeks, we have had ongoing discussions with Dan, and we are supportive of this important step.”

The recent national debate over racism

for the franchise to change the name, and

. Investors this week wrote to FedEx, PepsiCo and other sponsors asking them to request a change.

FedEx, the title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium in Landover, Maryland, said Thursday, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.” On Thursday night, Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. Nike did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.

Coach Ron Rivera, who said in a recent radio interview now is not the time to discuss the name, called it “an issue of personal importance.” Rivera said he’d work closely with Snyder during the process.

Washington mayor Muriel Bowser said recently the name was an “obstacle” to the team building a stadium in the District. The current lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027, and the old RFK Stadium site in Washington is one of several options for the team’s new headquaters, along with locations in Maryland and Virginia.

Experts and advocates have called the name a “dictionary-defined racial slur.” Until this point, Snyder has shown no willingness to consider a change.

The post Redskins undergoing ‘thorough review’ of team name appeared first on IdealCapper.

PHILADELPHIA vs WASHINGTON
When: 9/13/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 6.5
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as 6.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

The post PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON 9/13/2020 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

DALLAS vs WASHINGTON
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: FedExField, Landover, Maryland

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. 
LINE: Cowboys -5.5. 
O/U: 45.5
PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Redskins 19

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as 5.5 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

The Dallas Cowboys are considered the team to beat in the NFC East and a soft schedule to open the season will just enhance their front-runner status. Following an impressive performance in a Week 1 rout of the New York Giants, the Cowboys look to make it two wins in as many weeks against a division opponent when they visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas steamrolled the Giants 35-17 despite a part-time contribution from running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was in uniform just days after ending his holdout by signing a six-year, $90 million extension last week. “We’re so balanced and have so many playmakers around the field, it puts a lot of stress on the defense,” Elliott said of the Cowboys, who scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions. Washington will need to tighten up on defense after squandering an early 17-point lead and allowing 25 points after halftime in a 32-27 setback at Philadelphia. “I’m excited to play these guys,” said Redskins quarterback Case Keenum, a Texas native who played collegiately at the University of Houston. “They’re a great football team. Their front is obviously very dangerous. … We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (1-0): While Elliott (13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD last week) was the focus of much of the media attention during his contract holdout, Dak Prescott showed he can carry the offense by throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns to earn a perfect quarterback rating (158.3). Amari Cooper and newcomer Randall Cobb each hauled in scoring passes from Prescott while second-year wideout Michael Gallup had a monster game, setting career highs with seven receptions for 158 yards. Dallas did allow 151 yards rushing and 470 total yards to the Giants, but the defense recorded three sacks and three interceptions in the last meeting with Washington.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (0-1): Washington already has a serious injury concern as running back Derrius Guice, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, hurt his other knee in the opener and underwent surgery Thursday that could sideline him for up to two months. Veteran Adrian Peterson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season but was inactive in Week 1, will take over as the primary ball carrier behind Keenum, who was a bright spot in his Redskins debut by throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wideout Terry McLaurin had five catches for 125 yards, but the defense allowed Philadelphia to convert 11 of 17 on third down.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Prescott has 10 TD passes and zero interceptions in his last five NFC East road games.

2. Redskins TE Jordan Reed, who is in the concussion protocol but hopes to play, has 51 catches in 10 games versus Dallas.

3. Elliott was held to 33 yards rushing at Washington last season but had 121 yards and a TD in the rematch in Dallas.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Redskins 19

The post DALLAS vs. WASHINGTON 9/15/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

WASHINGTON vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -9
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , WASHINGTON

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -9 point favorites versus the WASHINGTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The post WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA 9/8/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS vs TENNESSEE TITANS
When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, December 22, 2018
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

TV: 4:30 PM
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: TENNESSEE , WASHINGTON

Oddsmakers currently have the TENNESSEE listed as -10 point favorites versus the WASHINGTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 37.5.

The Tennessee Titans have thrust themselves back in the mix for a postseason berth on the strength of a three-game winning streak. The Titans vie for a clean sweep of the NFC East representatives on Saturday when they host the Washington Redskins at Nissan Stadium.

Bruising running back Derrick Henry followed up a franchise-best 238-yard, four-touchdown performance in Tennessee’s 30-9 win over Jacksonville on Dec. 6 by recording a career-high 33 carries for 170 yards and two scores in Sunday’s 17-0 victory over the New York Giants. Henry broke fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell’s previous franchise-best two-game benchmark of 405 yards and has an NFL-best 11 touchdowns in his last eight contests. The Titans defense has permitted its foes to convert 5-of-28 third-down attempts over the last two weeks heading into a tilt with Washington, which has overcome a litany of serious injuries to remain in contention for an NFC postseason berth. “You would think we’d be out of the whole thing the way everything’s been going, week in and week out,” cornerback Josh Norman said. “Oh my gosh, this is like a circus. But at the same time, all that doesn’t matter. We are still in this thing.”

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Titans -10. O/U: 37

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (7-7): Making his first NFL start in seven years, journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson engineered a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter to help Washington snap a four-game skid with a 16-13 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. The 32-year-old earned another game under center after passing for 151 yards and a score and scampering for 49 more for the Redskins, who likely will lean on the ageless Adrian Peterson against Tennessee’s 12th-ranked rush defense. Jordan Reed’s availability is in question after he missed last week’s win over the Jaguars due to foot and toe injuries. Fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle caught all three passes that came his way — including a 6-yard toss for a touchdown.

ABOUT THE TITANS (8-6): Henry’s success on the ground can be traced to the determined effort of an offensive line that is led by tackle Taylor Lewan, who was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this week. Marcus Mariota has benefited by extension, and the quarterback admitted that he’s pleased with the team’s potent ground attack. “I’m the No. 1 fan,” the 25-year-old Mariota said. “… For me, I am all about it. We have to continue to do that. I think it really helps us get into situations where we get in a rhythm, we can do different things. So I love it.” Mariota’s primary target in the passing game continues to be Corey Davis, who has reeled in a touchdown pass in two of his last three home outings.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington LB Ryan Kerrigan, who had two of his team-leading 11 sacks last week, joined OT Trent Williams in being selected to the Pro Bowl.

2. Tennessee DT Jurrell Casey is heading to the Pro Bowl after collecting a team-best seven sacks this season.

3. Redskins WR Jamison Crowder led the team with four catches for 46 yards last week.

PREDICTION: Titans 19, Redskins 14

The post WASHINGTON vs. TENNESSEE 12/22/2018 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

NY GIANTS vs WASHINGTON REDSKINS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: FedExField, Landover, Maryland

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 3.5
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , NY GIANTS

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as 3.5 point favorites versus the NY GIANTS, while the game’s total is sitting at 41.

Mark Sanchez has become the butt of jokes for his role in an infamous play over six years ago, but the 32-year-old is serious about changing the narrative on both his career as well as the Washington Redskins’ season. Sanchez will make his first start since the 2015 campaign and become the third Redskins’ quarterback to play in the last month when the team hosts the New York Giants on Sunday.

“You work for something, you pray for something and then it finally happens,” Sanchez said. “You don’t care what the circumstances are, you’re just happy to get a shot.” The unfortunate circumstances have altered the course of the season for Washington, which has seen quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colt McCoy each sustain a broken leg in the midst of a three-game losing skid. The Giants regrouped after dropping a 20-13 setback to the Redskins on Oct. 28 and returned from their bye to win three of their last four contests to give the team confidence even if their postseason outlook isn’t as bright. “At this point, we can only focus on Washington. There is no ‘what if.’ We’re going out there to win,” star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. said. “If our season is over, I’m making sure somebody else is coming home with us.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Giants -3.5. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE GIANTS (4-8): Rookie Saquon Barkley posted his 11th game with at least 100 scrimmage yards on Sunday after totaling 146 (125 rushing, 21 receiving) in New York’s 30-27 overtime win over Chicago on Sunday. The 21-year-old reached triple digits against the Redskins (38 rushing, 73 receiving) in October and would match Edgerrin James (1999) and move within one of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson (1983) should he repeat the feat on Sunday. “Not really,” Barkley said when asked about individual records. “You’re just so stuck in the moment, stuck in the season, trying to get better every single day.” Eli Manning, who threw for season lows in yards (170) and completion percentage (54.3) versus the Bears, was sacked seven times in the first meeting with Washington and intercepted twice by D.J. Swearinger.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (6-6): With Sanchez relatively new to coach Jay Gruden’s system, Washington may need to rely on the ageless Adrian Peterson to carry the load on Sunday in much the same manner as he did in the first encounter versus New York. The 33-year-old Peterson rushed for a season-high 149 yards and a touchdown and added a 7-yard receiving score against the Giants. Peterson bolted out of the blocks on Monday with a franchise-record 90-yard touchdown before finishing with just eight more yards in a 28-13 setback to Philadelphia. Tight end Jordan Reed, who matched a season low in receiving yards (21) versus the Eagles, leads the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (558) and is tied for top honors in receiving touchdowns with two.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New York K Aldrick Rosas, who is 26 of 27 on field-goal attempts this season, captured NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making all three tries — including a 44-yarder in overtime — versus Chicago.

2. Washington LB Ryan Kerrigan (team-leading eight sacks) has 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his last three encounters with the Giants.

3. Two-time Pro Bowl S Landon Collins (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve this week for New York.

PREDICTION: Giants 24, Redskins 17

The post NY GIANTS vs. WASHINGTON 12/9/2018 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.