Tweet
Game of the Day: Browns at Redskins
Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins (-2.5, 41.5)
Robert Griffin III will get his first chance to unleash his new offensive approach Monday night as the Washington Redskins entertain the Cleveland Browns in the final game of the second week of the NFL’s exhibition schedule. Griffin and the rest of the first-team offense operated a run-heavy strategy in the opener against New England, attempting just four passes. It didn’t matter, as the Redskins led from start to finish en route to a 23-6 triumph.
Quarterbacking is also the main focus in the Browns’ camp, where the battle for the Week 1 starting role rages on between current favorite Brian Hoyer and popular rookie Johnny Manziel. Hoyer will start Monday’s showdown against the Redskins and will likely play most or all of the first half, while Manziel will take the helm for the majority of the second half. Manziel outperformed Hoyer in Cleveland’s 13-12 loss to Detroit last weekend.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: The line opened at Washington -3 but has since fallen a half-point. The O/U has risen by one point to 41 1/2.
INJURY REPORT: Cleveland: CB Buster Skrine (thumb) is out; DE Desmond Bryant (wrist) is questionable. Washington: DE Jason Hatcher (knee), ILB Darryl Sharpton (ankle) and RB Chris Thompson (ankle) are out; SS Brandon Meriweather (toe) is questionable.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-1): Hoyer has been generating plenty of attention so far in the preseason – much of it negative – but the veteran signal-caller isn’t bothered by suggestions he may wind up either as the No. 2 quarterback or as a member of another team. “It doesn’t matter,” he told reporters last week. “What matters is what coach Mike Pettine thinks and what (offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan) thinks.” Hoyer will need a strong showing against the Redskins, with Pettine expected to name his Week 1 starter Tuesday.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (1-0): It’s a brand new day for Griffin and the Redskins’ offense, which will look decidedly different under new head coach Jay Gruden. For starters, Griffin will be encouraged to call audibles depending on how opposing defenses are set up – something former offensive coordinator Shanahan avoided. “It’s a quarterback’s dream,” Griffin said. “You want to have some control at the line of scrimmage to get out of some things and protect yourself with different protections.”
TRENDS:
* Washington racked up 430 total yards in its exhibition opener; Cleveland had just 291.
* The Redskins are 11-2 in their last 13 preseason games.
* The Browns have allowed more than 20 points just once in their last five exhibition contests.
CONSENSUS: 61.84 percent of wagers are backing the host Redskins.
Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins (-2.5, 41.5)
Robert Griffin III will get his first chance to unleash his new offensive approach Monday night as the Washington Redskins entertain the Cleveland Browns in the final game of the second week of the NFL’s exhibition schedule. Griffin and the rest of the first-team offense operated a run-heavy strategy in the opener against New England, attempting just four passes. It didn’t matter, as the Redskins led from start to finish en route to a 23-6 triumph.
Quarterbacking is also the main focus in the Browns’ camp, where the battle for the Week 1 starting role rages on between current favorite Brian Hoyer and popular rookie Johnny Manziel. Hoyer will start Monday’s showdown against the Redskins and will likely play most or all of the first half, while Manziel will take the helm for the majority of the second half. Manziel outperformed Hoyer in Cleveland’s 13-12 loss to Detroit last weekend.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: The line opened at Washington -3 but has since fallen a half-point. The O/U has risen by one point to 41 1/2.
INJURY REPORT: Cleveland: CB Buster Skrine (thumb) is out; DE Desmond Bryant (wrist) is questionable. Washington: DE Jason Hatcher (knee), ILB Darryl Sharpton (ankle) and RB Chris Thompson (ankle) are out; SS Brandon Meriweather (toe) is questionable.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-1): Hoyer has been generating plenty of attention so far in the preseason – much of it negative – but the veteran signal-caller isn’t bothered by suggestions he may wind up either as the No. 2 quarterback or as a member of another team. “It doesn’t matter,” he told reporters last week. “What matters is what coach Mike Pettine thinks and what (offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan) thinks.” Hoyer will need a strong showing against the Redskins, with Pettine expected to name his Week 1 starter Tuesday.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (1-0): It’s a brand new day for Griffin and the Redskins’ offense, which will look decidedly different under new head coach Jay Gruden. For starters, Griffin will be encouraged to call audibles depending on how opposing defenses are set up – something former offensive coordinator Shanahan avoided. “It’s a quarterback’s dream,” Griffin said. “You want to have some control at the line of scrimmage to get out of some things and protect yourself with different protections.”
TRENDS:
* Washington racked up 430 total yards in its exhibition opener; Cleveland had just 291.
* The Redskins are 11-2 in their last 13 preseason games.
* The Browns have allowed more than 20 points just once in their last five exhibition contests.
CONSENSUS: 61.84 percent of wagers are backing the host Redskins.
Comment