Washington Redskins at New England Patriots Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/9/2018

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Gillette Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New England Patriots host the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 9, 2018. The opening line for this game has New England as 4.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 36.5. The Patriots had an over/under record of 8-10-0 and they were 12-6-0 against the spread last year. The Redskins had an ATS record of 7-9-0 while their over/under record was 8-8-0.

Valuable Washington Redskins Betting Trends

The Washington Redskins were 8-8-0 against the over/under last season

The Washington Redskins were 7-9-0 against the spread last year

Important New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots were 8-10-0 against the over/under last season

The New England Patriots were 12-6-0 against the spread last year

Key Washington Redskins Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New England Patriots Injuries

07/04/18 WR Julian Edelman Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/04 vs Indianapolis)

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Washington Redskins ran for 1,448 yards as a team last year, which ranked 28th in the NFL. They ran 401 times, averaging 3.6 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Redskins were penalized on offense 92 times for 733 yards last season, which had them 28th in the league in penalties. They were 16th in the NFL in points scored with 342. They ran 982 plays last season for 5,199 yards, which ranked them 16th in the league in total offense. The Redskins averaged 5.3 yards per play, which was 15th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 278 1st downs last year, placing them 27th overall as an offensive unit. Alex Smith averaged 8 yards per pass attempt and 11.9 yards per completion last season. He completed 341 passes on 505 attempts for a completion percentage of 67.5%. His quarterback rating last season was 104.7. He threw for 4,042 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Redskins rush defense allowed 472 attempts for 2,146 yards last year, putting them in 32nd place in the league against the run. Washington committed 100 penalties for 887 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 14th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 35.9% of possessions on defense, which was 20th in the league. They were 28th in the league in points allowed on defense with 388. They surrendered a total of 5,566 yards on D, which was 21st in the NFL. The Redskins were ranked 17th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Their pass defense gave up 6 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 15th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 306 passes on 531 attempts against the Washington Redskins defense last season, placing them 4th and 12th in the National Football League. The Washington pass defense also gave up a total of 3,420 yards through the air, which was 9th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Washington Redskins attempted 28 field goals last season and made 24, which was 21st in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 85.7%. Washington Redskins kickers made 92% of their extra points, going 36 for 39 last year. Their punters totaled 3,797 yards on 83 punts, averaging 45.7 yards per punt. That placed them 13th in the NFL in punting average. Washington was ranked 23rd in the league in punt returns last season with 29. They accumulated 178 punt return yards and averaged 6.1 yards per return, which was 27th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 29 yards. They returned 34 kicks for 673 yards on special teams, ranking 15th in kick return yardage. The Redskins averaged 19.8 yards per kick return and had a long of 35 yards last year. They were 17th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,392.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots were 2nd in the National Football League in points scored with 458 last year. They ran 1,070 plays for 6,307 yards, which ranked them 1st in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots averaged 5.9 yards per play, which was 3rd in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 389 1st downs last season, ranking them 1st overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England ran for 1,889 yards as a unit, which ranked 10th in the league. They ran 448 times, averaging 4.2 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots were penalized on offense 95 times for 835 yards last year, which had them 26th in the NFL in penalties. Tom Brady passed for 4,577 yards last year. He completed 385 throws while attempting 581 passes for a completion percentage of 66.3%. His quarterback rating last season was 102.8. He averaged 11.9 yards per completion and 7.9 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New England was 5th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 296. They gave up a total of 5,856 yards on D, which was 29th in the league. The Patriots were 28th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense allowed 6.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 367 throws on 590 attempts against the New England defense last season, ranking them 28th and 30th in the league. The New England Patriots pass defense also surrendered a total of 4,020 yards in the air, which was 30th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 390 attempts for 1,836 yards last season, putting them in 20th place in the NFL against the run. The Patriots had 111 penalties for 1,035 yards on defense last year. That placed them 27th in the league. They allowed a score on 30.2% of possessions on defense, which was 6th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

New England was 18th in the NFL in punt returns with 32 last year. They totaled 263 punt return yards and averaged 8.2 yards per return, which was 17th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 40 yards. They returned 28 kicks for 622 yards on special teams, placing them 19th in kick return yardage. The Patriots averaged 22.2 yards per kick return and had a long of 103 yards last season. They were 4th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 7,393. The New England Patriots tried 40 field goals last season and made 37, which was 4th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 92.5%. New England kickers made 96% of their extra points, going 45 for 47 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,515 yards on 58 punts, averaging 43.4 yards per punt. That ranked them 27th in the NFL in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Redskins/Patriots NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Redskins +4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink