Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris runs through two Philadelphia Eagles defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Philadelphia.The Associated Press
Nothing is worse than being hit by a slew of injuries in a Sunday game. Except, of course, having to then play on Thursday. Just ask the Washington Redskins.
Washington listed nearly a dozen players on its injury report heading into the prime-time National Football Conference East matchup with the Giants. Still, Washington, tied for No. 23 in the AP Pro32 with Cleveland, is a 3 1/2-point favourite over the No. 25 Giants.
On defence alone, cornerback DeAngelo Hall went out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in the loss to Philadelphia. While nickel cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) could be back after missing the first three games, safety Duke Ihenacho broke his left foot and is done for the year.
End Jason Hatcher has a hamstring injury and linebacker Brian Orakpo will wear a large cast to protect a torn ligament in his left middle finger.
The offence, of course, is without quarterback Robert Griffin III (dislocated ankle), although Kirk Cousins has stepped in and performed well. Top running back Alfred Morris missed a portion of the Eagles game with a knee issue, but returned and seems okay. Tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring) missed the Philly game, and guard Shawn Lauvao probably will sit out Thursday night, too.
And now, a short week.
"Now it's a matter of getting plays installed Monday morning and getting players out there and practising them," coach Jay Gruden said. "We're going through the same process, we just have got to do it a lot faster. You have got to watch film a little bit faster, you have got to go through the plays a little bit faster, you have got to write down the plays faster. Yeah, it's tough. I'm a little jittery right now. I've had 17 cups of coffee."
The caffeine will keep Gruden alert, but the injuries will keep the Redskins from winning.
Upset Special: GIANTS, 30-27
No. 26 Miami (minus 4 1/2) vs. No. 30 Oakland at London
At least the Raiders collected thousands of frequent flyer miles to get beaten in Foxborough, Mass., and now at Wembley.
Best Bet: DOLPHINS 20-10
No. 17 Green Bay (minus 1) at No. 8 Chicago
The Packers are on the brink of becoming irrelevant. Desperation pays off.
PACKERS, 24-21
No. 16 New Orleans (minus 3) at No. 19 Dallas
The Saints, a mediocre road team, nearly won twice away from New Orleans. Third time is a charm …
SAINTS, 32-31
No. 13 Atlanta (minus 3) at No. 28 Minnesota
The Falcons, a mediocre road team, are favourites, showing how far the Vikings have tumbled.
FALCONS, 28-20
No. 18 Buffalo (plus 3) at No. 20 Houston
Hard to believe the winner of this will be 3-1.
TEXANS, 21-20
No. 27 Tennessee (plus 7 1/2) at No. 14 Indianapolis
Time for the Colts to reassert they are the American Football Conference South's best team.
COLTS, 31-13
No. 32 Jacksonville (plus 13) at No. 6 San Diego
Time to start noticing what's going on with the Bolts.
CHARGERS, 31-13
No. 4 Philadelphia (plus 5 1/2) at No. 15 San Francisco
Two teams headed in opposite directions. That trend ends here.
49ERS, 23-21
No. 7 New England (minus 3 1/2) at No. 22 Kansas City, Monday night
The Patriots burned us as Best Bet last week. So avoiding such an emphatic pick now.
PATRIOTS, 20-17
No. 12 Carolina (plus 3) at No. 9 Baltimore
The Steelers exposed the Panthers' run defence, and the Ravens also can ground it out when needed.
RAVENS, 20-16
No. 10 Detroit (minus 1 1/2) at No. 22 New York Jets
Unless the Jets find a pass rush, Megatron will destroy them.
LIONS, 27-22
No. 31 Tampa Bay (plus 7 1/2) at No. 11 Pittsburgh
No way Tampa coach Lovie Smith allows another poor performance like the debacle at Atlanta.
STEELERS, 23-17
2014 record: Against spread: This week (5-11); Season (18-26-3). Straight up: This week (10-6); Season (28-20)
Best Bet: 1-2 against spread, 2-1 straight up.
Upset Special: 3-0 against spread, 2-1 straight up.