NFL Week 1 Betting Odds: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys in what promises to be a real defensive battle.

The Redskins are 3.5-point home dogs at betED online sportsbook and the over/under reflects the bookmaker's expectation for a defensive struggle currently sitting at 40 points.

The Dallas Cowboys open the season on a mission to be the first team to play in the Super Bowl on home field. If the preseason is any indication, they might have their work cut out for them.

The Dallas offense found very little rhythm in the preseason getting a nice sustained drive to open the Hall of Fame Game, but doing very little after that. Tony Romo had two interceptions to one touchdown in his preseason appearances and had a completion rate of just 56.5 percent. On Sunday he will need to be a lot sharper if the Cowboys are to take the first step towards the Super Bowl.

Romo is, of course, not the only one to blame for their preseason struggles. The offensive line in particular needs to do a better job of protecting the quarterback. Opposing defenses managed to get to Romo five times in less than eight quarters of work and that kind of pressure obviously contributed to Romo’s poor numbers.

The Washington Redskins would love nothing better than to make a statement that they have returned to relevance in the NFC East with a win over the Cowboys. With a defensive line that managed 40 sacks last season going against a struggling offensive line, the Redskins have a very good chance of getting to Romo and keeping him off of his game.

However, last season’s sack numbers may not be a very good indication of this season’s performance as the Redskins have switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and their star defensive lineman, Albert Haynesworth, is not happy with the change and it has shown in his play.

The Redskins added Donovan McNabb to run the offense and then strengthened his protection adding Jammal Brown, Trent Williams and Artis Hicks. While the Cowboys are not likely to get to McNabb at will the way they did last year with Jason Campbell, they are still a very good defensive team and McNabb and crew will have a hard time getting yards even with good protection.

Sports betting fans should definitely consider the under in this match-up as these two teams have gone under in four of their last five meetings.