NFL Kickoff, Cowboys at Redskins: Mike Shanahan Brings Winning to Washington

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

Date: Sunday, September 12, 2010 8:20 PM ET
Location: FedExField
Broadcast: NBC
Week 1 NFL Odds:
Dallas: -3 ½ (-110) /Washington: +3 ½ (-110)
Total: 40 ½ points : Over (-110), Under (-110)

One of the best rivalries in football gets the season started when the Dallas Cowboys face off against the Washington Redskins. BetMania has the Cowboys listed as 3.5 point favorites with the total set at 40.5.

If the Cowboys want to win in Week 1, they will have to look better than they did in the preseason. The Cowboys have had a horrendous preseason, especially on offense.

Quarterback Tony Romo has looked frustrated at times with the lack of scoring from the offensive unit. The offensive line has been out of sync and the exchanges have been brutal, leading to botched snaps and fumbles.

The offense recently went through another change as the Cowboys traded embattled wide receiver Patrick Crayton to the San Diego Chargers and offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to the Miami Dolphins.  

The Cowboys may fill the void with another pickup before the season begins, but for now will go with the current group of pass catching threats to include rookie Dez Bryant. Bryant was hurt all preseason but will make his regular season debut when the Cowboys go to Washington.

The Redskins have had plenty of offseason changes as well. It started at the top when the Redskins hired Mike Shanahan to be the team's latest head coach. Shanahan did not wait long to make his mark on the team as he worked the deal to bring Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Skins.

The Redskins finally have something that they have been missing for a long time: leadership. They have a coach that they can believe in and a signal caller on the field they can trust.  Part of building the trust and expressing the leadership on the team is to cut out the cancers that are hurting the team, namely Albert Haynesworth.

It is evident that Shanahan and the entire coaching staff (and some players too) have lost their patience with Haynesworth. They are slowly and surely paving a way for his exit out of town. He has shown reluctance to accept the new defensive schemes and has looked pathetic in the preseason giving little to no effort. Getting rid of Haynesworth is just another way to install a winning attitude into this team.

Game Time Prediction

The Redskins believe in Shanahan and the changes that he has made to this team. Whether this will result in a winning season for this team is yet to be seen, but it will lead to a win in this game. The Skins catch the Boys at a perfect time as they are still adjusting on offense, and it will be the first game with Bryant on the field. The Cowboys are 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven meetings and the underdog is 19-7 ATS in their last 26 meetings. Fully Expect McNabb to suit up and be ready for this game, getting his first “W” in a Redskins uniform.

Final: Washington 24 Dallas 17

Other NFL Game Previews:

Dallas at Washington

Miami at Buffalo

Indianapolis at Houston

Bengals at Patriots

Packers at Eagles

Monday Night: Chargers at Chiefs

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Ten Really Bold Predictions For NFL Week One