Football Odds – Redskins Welcome Defending NFC East Champions

The defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys open their regular season schedule on the road as a favorite on the football odds this year against the division rival Washington Redskins in primetime Sunday night. On the heels of their first playoff win in 13 years, the Cowboys open the season with optimism that this will finally be the year they make it to the big dance, and owner Jerry Jones has just the setting for the event to take place. The Cowboys will hose the 2011 Super Bowl, and the hope for fans in the Dallas area is that they will get to watch their hometown team at the brand new Cowboys Stadium. The road to reaching that goal begins Sunday night in Washington.

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Sunday September 12, 2010 – 8:20 PM ET
FedEx Field, Washington, Maryland
Broadcast: NBC
Football Betting Odds: Dallas -3
Total: 40.5

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Football Odds: What The Cowboys Will Have To Do To Win

With quality receiving options in Jason Witten, Miles Austin, and Roy Williams, quarterback Tony Romo has the luxury to spread the ball around in the Cowboys’ offense, and will challenge opposing defenses through the air with big-strike capability. Dallas is just as dangerous on the ground however, as Felix Jones, Marion Barber, and Tashard Choice give the team a three-headed monster running attack, one with the potential to excel in every situation. The Cowboys’ defense struggled early last year but rebounded after head coach Wade Phillips took over the play-calling duties, and move that turned the team’s season around and may have very well saved Phillips’ job. The head coach will remain the defensive play caller in 2010-11, and that should have the Dallas defense becoming a force this coming season.

Football Odds: What The Redskins Will Have To Do To Win

The Redskins made major changes in the offseason, and the feeling is that with a whole new outlook for 2010-11, Washington may actually become a contender. The only chance they have however is if they avoid the distractions that seem to be becoming a problem in and around the locker room, as first year head coach Mike Shanahan and his staff have struggled with what to do about defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. If Haynesworth plays, he will be a force, and that will set the tone for the Redskins’ new 3-4 defense. Washington enters the season with a new veteran quarterback under center in Donovan McNabb, and that could finally solve the team’s longstanding inconsistency problems on offense.

Football Odds: Outlook & Pick

The Cowboys enter this game the favorites, and with a roster capable of making a championship run it is easy to understand why. But an opening night road game against a division opponent may not be the easiest way for a team with a history of struggling in pressure situations to open their season, and the Redskins have enough talent on both sides of the ball to keep this one within striking distance.

Football Odds Pick: Washington + 3.5