Sunday, October 11, 2020, FedExField, Landover, Maryland, 1 p.m. ET
Rams at Washington Football Team Betting Preview: Rams (-7.5/+100), Redskins (+7.5/-120)
Los Angeles Rams
Run is the first option for the Rams, and when coach Sean McVay finds something that works, he’ll do it again. That’s likely to be an issue for the Washington Football Team, which allows nearly 130 rushing yards per game.
Jared Goff is playing within himself as the Rams shift their approach to be a light version of the San Francisco power running game. Goff could be spared if defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and defensive end Chase Young, both questionable for Week 5, can’t go.
Getting rookie Cam Akers back gives McVay three options to rotate behind Goff. When play-action clicks, Goff has been successful involving tight ends and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp caught a 55-yard touchdown pass and 11 of his 14 receptions on the road have gone for first downs.
Washington Football Team
Making the change at quarterback might be the tip of the iceberg for the Washington Football Team as head coach Ron Rivera searches for accountability and production on a roster with modest talent.
Kyle Allen played well in this system for Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner last season with the Carolina Panthers. But when injuries opened the floodgates to pressure and Allen was forced to work off-script, he turned into a turnover machine.
The bad news for Allen in his first start Sunday is the offensive line is wobbled by injuries and inexperience in front of him — and it’s the only help he’ll have against defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Allen has a burgeoning star at wide receiver in Terry McLaurin. McLaurin was a favorite of his former Ohio State teammate Dwayne Haskins, who was benched and will serve as the No. 3 quarterback this week. His route-running prowess should make for an entertaining matchup with Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Rams at Washington Football Team Betting Pick for Week 5
The inability to stop the run consistently puts Washington in a pickle this week. Allen has the arm and experience to be an upgrade in a ball-control system but he doesn’t have enough horses around him in this matchup.
Rams at Washington Football Team Betting Pick:
Rams 27, Washington Football Team 17
Rams at Washington Football Team Best Bet for Week 5
The Rams last beat the Washington Football Team in 2014 but during a rebuild and amidst a significant change that could bring a spark, points are still at a premium with a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Rams at Washington Football Team Best Bet: UNDER 45 points (-110)
