Jets vs. Redskins Preseason Prediction
Sam Darnold and the New York Jets played very well in their preseason opener last week. Will they win their second exhibition game tonight when they visit the Washington Redskins at 8:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
403 New York Jets at 404 Washington Redskins
8:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 16, 2018
FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Public Betting Trends & Odds
According to oddsmakers, the Redskins are 1-point home favorites to beat the Jets, who opened as 2-point underdogs. As for the total, it hit the board at 37 but has climbed to 38.5. Per our NFL Public Betting page, the Eagles are receiving 52% of the betting tickets tonight.
Preview NFL Preseason Matchups
New York Jets
Sam Darnold received the “bulk” of the Jets’ first-team reps for the second straight day on Monday.
Signs are pointing toward Darnold starting the Jets’ second preseason game on Thursday after his promising showing in Friday’s opener. Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater have both drawn praise for their work in camp, but any time you are the No. 3 overall pick, you are on the fast track to starting duties.
Washington Redskins
Redskins coach Jay Gruden doesn’t expect to add a running back with Derrius Guice (ACL surgery, IR) out for the season.
“We have guys here that can play,” said Gruden. “We drafted Derrius because he was the best player we thought at the time not because we weren’t satisfied with the backs we have.” Gruden’s comments are good news for the outlooks of Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley, but the Redskins had one of the worst run games in the league with the same committee last year. Washington’s backfield is shaping as a situation to avoid.
Betting Trends
New York
The Jets are 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four games versus the Redskins.
Washington
The favorite is 4-1-1 against the number in the last six meetings between these two teams.
Prediction
It’s difficult to gauge motivation from team-to-team in preseason but the Jets looked plenty motivated last week when they harassed the Falcons for four quarters. Granted, it was against backup defenders, but Darnold looked like a poised veteran when he got into the game and if Todd Bowles is serious about starting the rookie this season, Darnold should see plenty of quality reps again tonight. With the point spread shifting from 2 to 1 in favor of the underdog, I like the Jets to pull off the small upset tonight.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Prediction: New York Jets +1