The 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year will meet on the field Sunday to kick off the NFL season as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Washington Football Team. Which way to lean at BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks?
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Washington Football
Sunday, September 12, 2021 – 01:00 PM EDT at FedExField
The only NFL game in Week 1 to feature two major 2020 individual award winners facing off is this one between the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Football Team. Of course, we are talking about Chargers QB Justin Herbert, the 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Washington end Chase Young, the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Looking back at that draft, did the Cincinnati Bengals blow it by taking QB Joe Burrow at No. 1 over Young (No. 2 overall) or Herbert (No. 6)? Too early to say that as Burrow looked good before getting injured. There is absolutely no question, though, that the Lions (Jeff Okudah at No. 3), Giants (Andrew Thomas at No. 4), and Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5) appear to have blown it by not taking Herbert.
Because the Chargers and Football Team are in opposite conferences, they only play once every four years – at least under the previous 16-game format. Washington leads the all-time series 7-5 and is 5-1 at home. The favorite is 4-0-1 against the spread on NFL picks in the past five.
New Head Coach For Chargers
Take absolutely nothing from the Chargers’ 1-2 record in the preseason because young star QB Justin Herbert and many starters didn’t play at all. Not a huge shock considering that the Bolts’ new head coach is Brandon Staley, the former defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams – Rams head coach Sean McVay never plays his starters in the preseason so Staley was simply following suit.
Some were surprised that the Chargers hired Staley this offseason to replace Anthony Lynn simply because Staley is a defensive guy and it was thought the team would look for an offensive mind because of Herbert. New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is highly respected, though. Lombardi actually coached Staley in college when Staley was the quarterback for Mercyhurst University in 2005.
With Herbert, tailback Austin Ekeler, receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and veteran tight end Jared Cook, this could be a great offense – Cook replaces Hunter Henry, who left in free agency for New England. It all depends on the line, though, and that group has been a problem for years. LA overhauled that unit this offseason, including signing Packers Pro Bowl center Corey Linsley to a huge contract and drafting tackle Rashawn Slater at No. 13 overall this year.
The defense has two of the best players at their positions in end Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James, but injuries have been a problem for them, especially James. He was awesome as a rookie in 2018 but limited to five games in 2019 and didn’t play any last year.
There is a new kicker on the team, which frankly was needed. Fourth-year undrafted free agent Tristan Vizcaino won the job over inconsistent incumbent Michael Badgley. Last season Badgley missed 12 kicks (nine field goals and three extra points), including five field-goal attempts in the 40-49 yard range.
The Chargers have covered just four of their past 15 September games on NFL picks.
Defense Should Dominate In Washington
Coach Ron Rivera did a fabulous job in his first season with the Washington Football Team as it was a surprise winner of the NFC East, albeit with just a 7-9 record. To repeat, the WFT is a +200 second-favorite at BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks behind the perpetually overrated Dallas Cowboys (+150).
Rivera is a defensive guy and this might be the best defense in the NFL behind second-year end Chase Young. He was the first Washington player to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and led all rookies last year in (7.5), tackles for loss (10), pressures (40), and was tied for first in forced fumbles (4). Young’s three games with a sack and a forced fumble were the most for a player in Washington franchise history in a single season. That guy is a stud. The entire starting front four is made up of former first-round picks.
If there was one issue on the 2020 defense it was a linebacker, but Washington appears to have fixed that with Jamin Davis, the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft and a tackling machine out of Kentucky. He’s +800 on the NFL futures odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
There are some terrific offensive players as well in running back Antonio Gibson, receivers Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel (free-agent addition), and breakout tight end Logan Thomas, a former quarterback. Samuel has been dealing with a groin injury all through camp and may have his snaps limited in the opener.
It’s all about journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. “FitzMagic” will win some games but also lose some with his turnover problems. The 38-year-old is 59-86-1 career as a starter and is a one-year stopgap. The WFT looked into trading for Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson this offseason and also drafting a QB. Taylor Heinicke likely would be called in quickly if Fitzpatrick starts turning the ball over as he often does.
Washington is looking to win back-to-back Week 1 contests for the first time since winning three straight Week 1 contests from 2010-12. Last year, it beat visiting Philadelphia 27-17 with Dwayne Haskins as the starting QB. He’s in Pittsburgh now.
The WFT is 5-1 ATS on the NFL odds in its past six as an underdog. That plus the Chargers having to play across the country at 10 a.m. Pacific time has me leaning the home side.
NFL pick: Washington Football Team at +1 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
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