Kevin opens the show with a response to the thought that the “anti-Redskins” sentiment has been media-fueled and mean. He went to the Maryland-Nebraska game and had a brief recap of that. Longtime NFL Exec Joe Banner was on the show and talked about how he would go about fixing the Redskins. Scott Van Pelt was on the show too. At the end of the show, the Reuben Foster news broke and Kevin reacted to that.
Kevin starts with an update on a few things Redskins-related including Cooley’s status and why the Skins haven’t done anything yet. Kevin describes a new idea for owner Dan Snyder to consider. Jerry Brewer/Washington Post is a guest on the show too. Kevin talks College Football expanded playoff.
Kevin starts the show talking about why he still believes Bruce Allen will either be fired, retire, leave for another team, or be re-assigned by Snyder to a non-football position. He talks about Jay Gruden’s future as well as the futures of others on the coaching staff. He recaps the Redskins-Eagles game mentioning one rookie player in particular that he believes has a big-time future with the team. JP Finlay/NBC Sports Washington and Kevin breakdown the season together and make predictions on who stays and who goes. They also spend time on what the plan should be at quarterback. Kevin goes “Around the NFL” and spends time talking about Kirk Cousins and the Vikings being eliminated by the Bears. He also recaps the ending of the Ravens clinching win over Cleveland and the Colts win over the Titans to lock down the final playoff spot. He gives his first gut on the Wild Card Weekend games. He closes the show talking about the two “College Football Playoff” semifinal games.
One final 2018 Redskins beat (insert opponent) if…..
- …Josh Johnson continues to make plays, especially on 3rd down. The Redskins are 15-29 on third-down the last two weeks and many of those have been converted because Johnson has extended plays with his legs and either run for a first down or made a good throw. The Skins haven’t scored many points the last two weeks (32 total) but they’ve moved the ball as well as they have all year. Johnson has been impressive and has done more good than not. If he can make plays like he did against the Jags and Titans, the Skins will be in the game.
- …Dustin Hopkins is perfect, again. He’s been their main scoring weapon the last two weeks going 6 for 6. With the way Hopkins has been kicking, the offense more often than not needs just 30-40 yards per drive for a scoring opportunity.
- …they are plus-2 or better in turnover margin. This is a running key to a win for this team (as it is for most) but they haven’t won a game this year without being on the plus side of this category. Foles has been terrific in his four starts since Wentz left the lineup but he’s also thrown 3 interceptions with several other close calls. Swearinger’s talent and ability will be missed while other aspects of his team contribution won’t. A few 50-50 balls that the Skins come down with could be the difference today between a 27-10 loss and a game they have a chance to win late.
Prediction:
With all that has swirled around this team all week as it often does at the end of a season, don’t overlook the fact that they’ve played two good football games in a row. I think they play another one today and keep it close.
Eagles 23-17
If you want to hear a ton more on the Skins’ game today and what’s next when the season ends, listen to Cooley and I discuss the team starting at the 18:13 mark below.
https://thekevinsheehanshow.com/2018/12/28/redskins-eagles-cooley-and-svp/
WHAT’S THE FRIDAY FOOTBALL SMELL TEST?
It’s a contrarian handicapping philosophy. I look for the games where the public is convinced they are right about a point spread and I go the other way. There’s more to it than that including unique access to information about where certain sharp action is but for the most part, it’s the realization over many years that the house wins more than it loses and the house advantage comes from more than just the built-in vig/fee advantage.
The lines used are from covers.com as they appeared Friday during the show. Lines change. Typically, if a line is worse for me than it was on Friday, the contrarian handicapper in me regards that as a good thing. It usually means late sharp money is with me.
To hear all of the Smell Test picks as they were discussed on Friday’s podcast, go to the 50:27 mark below.
https://thekevinsheehanshow.com/2018/12/28/redskins-eagles-cooley-and-svp/
THIS YEAR
Last Week: 6-4
Overall: 102-75-4
SMELL TEST PICKS FOR WEEKEND OF 12-27-18
Thursday, December 27:
Miami -2.5
Baylor +4
Saturday, December 29:
Clemson -12.5
Sunday, December 30:
Jaguars +6.5
Redskins +6.5
49ers +10
Vikings -4.5
Titans +3.5
Monday, December 31st:
Michigan State +1.5
Missouri -9.5
Utah -6.5
Tuesday, January 1:
Kentucky +6.5
Washington +6.5
Kevin opens the show by reconsidering the reaction to Brian Lafemina’s departure from the Redskins. He thinks the Skins have a chance against the Eagles as does Chris Cooley who joins the show. Cooley also spends time sharing his thoughts on DJ Swearinger’s release. Scott Van Pelt and Kevin talk NFL and College Football Semifinals. Kevin has 6 Smell Test picks this week including picks on one of the two semifinal games and the Redskins-Eagles game. Andy Pollin looks back at other Skins’ season-enders and picks the Skins-Eagles game with Kevin to finish up the show.
Windows Nation
