NFL Preseason 2016 Week 1: Redskins/Falcons Predictions, Pick, Preview, and Betting Odds

The 2016 NFL preseason Week 1 is here, and it kicks off Thursday night when the Washington Redskins face off against the Atlanta Falcons. The game takes place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and kickoff is at 7 p.m. EST. NFL Preseason football provides fans with the action they have been missing dearly since last February, but choosing the right pick during preseason NFL is sometimes difficult. The current betting odds for the Redskins/Falcons game has Atlanta favored by a line of -3 and the over/under is at 37.

#WASvsATL in… pic.twitter.com/RHXlLoBY5X

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) August 10, 2016

About the Redskins

The Washington Redskins have higher expectations than usual for the 2016 season since they finished last year with a record of 9-7-0 and made it to the playoffs. Kirk Cousins took the lead last NFL season after Robert Griffin III was injured, yet again, and this year the Redskins officially waved goodbye to RG3. This move was not a surprise as last season Redskins head coach Jay Gruden potentially put his job on the line when he made Cousins the starting quarterback even after RG3 was healthy again; that decision worked out well for the Redskins.

This season, Cousins leads an experienced team, but the inspirational NFL quarterback will most likely only play for a series or two Thursday night. Look for backup quarterback Colt McCoy to take up most of the field time with some help from backup Nate Sudfeld as well. Offense was not a problem-area for the Redskins in 2015, and this year shouldn’t be either with the help of players like wide receiver DeSean Jackson and potential breakout star running back Matt Jones. Tight end Jordan Reed had a great season last year but is sitting out the preseason Week 1 game against the Falcons because of a sprained thumb. He has returned to practice but is staying behind to find additional treatment.

The Redskins defense in 2015 improved greatly compared to their 2014 NFL season, and this year they tack-on the Panthers NFL Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman to their roster. The Redskins have shifted around their defensive roster with the departure of nose tackle Terrance Knighton, but rookie Matt Ionnidis and Kedric Golston could fill the spot. Outside linebacker Junior Galette will be out for the entire season because of a torn left Achilles’ tendon, and he missed the entire 2015 season because of a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon. The injury is unfortunate, but look for defensive players Shiro Davis and Su’a Cravens to help fill the void.

DeSean vs. Josh. https://t.co/aezalYvraf

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) August 9, 2016

About the Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons play in the Georgia Dome for the last time this year before making the move next season to the brand spanking new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The beginning of last season started off great for the Falcons as they went 5-0 but they finished last year with a record of 8-8; marking the third season in a row that the team missed the postseason. The mediocre defense last year was the main cause of their issues. This year the Falcons used 3/4 top draft picks on the defensive side of the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrdt9_2Tkzs

Offensively, they had a good year last go around as NFL running back Devonta Freeman rushed for 1,061 yards and receiver Julio Jones went 1,871 yards with 136 catches. Quarterback Matt Ryan was No. 5 in the NFL in passing last year, so no complaints there from Falcons fans aside from a few too many turnovers.

Quarterback Matt Ryan should play a series in this game before backup quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Sean Renfree take the field. The soft defense of the Falcons should improve this year as they picked up Derrick Shelby and mammoth linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Rookie linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones were also drafted, and former right and left end Vic Beasley is making the move to linebacker. The coaches felt that Beasley’s skill-set matched the linebacker position a bit more, and Vic has embraced the move.

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Redskins/Falcons Pick for the 2016 NFL Preseason Week 1 Game

The Redskins and Falcons share some similarities in that they are established on the offensive side and this time they show a promising defense. For those that care about their overall NFL preseason record against each other, the two teams haven’t met in NFL preseason since 2004, and the Falcons lead 9-6. The over/under of 37 is pretty high and should be left alone. But if a bet must be placed, then take the over; these offenses can move the ball with no problem and should see little resistance on the defensive side since they are still finding their way.

Betting on preseason games for the NFL is always tricky, and the 2016 preseason is no different; with this being a home game for the Atlanta Falcons there is a chance that some starters see more field time in contrast to the Washington Redskins. In addition, the Falcons have a more experienced backup quarterback than the Redskins, so a bet on the Falcons with a line of -3 makes sense.

[Photo by Kevin C. Cox]