Thom Loverro has once again braved the long journey to join Kevin. Thom gives his thoughts on the Redskins home opener, both on the field and in the crowd. They also discuss what Chris Thompson said in the locker room, and what the Redskins players said they felt in the locker room and at practices before the game. The Redskins brought in two receivers, are either of them going to be helpful? They then share thoughts on the Nationals, including the somewhat-starting revelation that this week could feature the last 7 games in DC for Bryce Harper as a National. Thom also gives his thoughts on the GGG/Canelo fight, and reminisces about old Sugar Ray Leonard fights. Finally, The Sports Fix is officially back, as Kevin and Thom get into a fight about Colt McCoy.
Kevin recaps Redskins/Colts and talks about the worst crowd for a home opener in decades. He brings on NBCSports Washington’s JP Finlay to talk Skins. He goes Around the NFL, including Kirk Cousins’ game at Lambeau, and looks at the weekend that was in College Football.
The Redskins will beat the Colts if….
- …..the offense just takes what Indy gives it. The Colts couldn’t stop Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon last week. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry. The Skins ran it all over Arizona. Indy will likely stack the box to stop the run but they’re in trouble on the back end if they do. Andy Dalton had a stress-free 21 for 28 game against the Colts last week. The Bengals scored 27 points on a mere 50 offensive snaps. Alex Smith just needs to take what the Colts give. If they stack the box, throw it. If they don’t, run it. I loved the Skins’ rushing attack last week. So did Mike Shanahan. Listen right here to what he told me Friday on the podcast about the Jay Gruden’s run scheme https://thekevinsheehanshow.com. This feels like a game where the Skins’ offense could go for 28+.
- ….they win the red zone battle. The Redskins will move it against Indy. They have to finish when they get there. It was a 3 for 4 red zone week in Arizona. I think the same is possible today. Indy is going to move the ball too. Luck looked pretty good last week in his return. He doesn’t have many weapons but he does have TY Hilton and some reliable tight ends. Also, be aware of N.C. State rookie running back Nyheem Hines. He’s fast, he’s a playmaker, and they like him a lot there. Guess who is already a favorite of Andrew Luck? Remember the love Jay Gruden had for Ryan Grant while most Redskin fans never really got it? Well Andrew Luck targeted Ryan Grant nine times and Grant caught eight balls for 59 yards in the opener. However, the Colts went 1 for 3 in the red zone. I DO think the Skins’ defense is underrated but I think Indy will have chances in this game offensively. The team that finishes in the red zone on offense wins the game. Touchdowns vs field goals on Sunday will be huge.
- ….they cover the Colt tight ends. This is very often where Luck goes. Jack Doyle had 7 catches for 60 yards even though he fumbled on the potential game-winning drive. He and Eric Ebron (former Lions’ TE) combined for 11 catches/111 yards. In part because of the tight end production, the Colts were 11 for 17 on third-down last week. Let’s hope Greg Manusky learned enough last year to know that Brown and Kerrigan should only be in coverage by accident. If the matchups are favorable for Luck to throw to Doyle and Ebron, he will all day long.
Prediction:
Redskins 34-31
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.
THIS YEAR
Last Week: 4-4-1
Overall: 5-8-1
SMELL TEST PICKS FOR WEEKEND OF 9-13-18
Thursday, September 13:
Bengals -1
Saturday, September 15:
Auburn -10.5
Utah +5
Saturday, September 16:
Bills +7.5
Bucs +3
Jaguars +1
Monday, September 17:
Bears -3
Former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan joins Kevin to talk Redskins and more; Redskins/Colts preview; ESPN’s Mike Wells talks Andrew Luck and the Colts; College football and NFL gambling previews with Tim Murray; Smell Test picks; John Harbaugh’s big mistake in the Ravens/Bengals game on Thursday Night Football.
Thom Loverro is back in studio with Kevin, and the two of them start the show reading some emails, and they talk about the Nationals. ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt calls in to talk about the Redskins and about Lefty Driesell’s Hall of Fame induction speech. They also talk to Fox Five Meteorologist Sue Palka about what to expect from hurricane, Florence, then they have their first NFL Power Poll, and they talk about the Redskins and their ticket sales, and they close out with some thoughts on the Bengals / Ravens game.
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