New York at Washington

In the preseason the Redskins had a positive attitude after shipping out Albert Haynesworth and significantly upgrading the offensive line and wideouts. The Redskins led the NFL with 152 yards per game on the ground in preseason. Yes, the preseason doesn't count, but it matters. A year after attempting fewer than 22 rushes per game — an average exceeded by all but one team — they ran 30.7 times per game. It’s clear that their philosophy is to add more balance and Shanahan’s zone-blocking has some far better pieces on the O-line. The Redskins have worked on more two tight end sets to improve the running game and the short passing game. Shanahan likes the revamped offensive line a lot: "We’re a better football team ith the addition of guard Chris Chester and new center Will Montgomery,” Shanahan said. The wide receivers are better, too, with Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin and Donte Stallworth. The Giants are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games on grass, while the Redskins are 10-3-5 ATS in their last 18 games on grass. I see the home team and their great fans being fired up for this one and playing well. Play the Redskins. In addition, I see more defense than offense in this game. The Giants had a miserable preseason with injuries, particularly the secondary. Coach Tom Coughlin is a proponent of running the football, No. 6 in the NFL in rushing last year with 137.5 yards per game. QB Eli Manning was turnover prone when asked to throw too much and he doesn’t have a healthy compliment of wide receivers for this opener. But at least the Giants were No. 8 in run defense last year. Both QBs, Manning and Rex Grossman, will go to the short, safe passing game. The UNDER is 16-7 in the last 23 home games for the Skins and Washington has gone 7-1 UNDER in their last eight openers and 6-1 UNDER in thier last seven as an underdog. Play on the Redskins and take the UNDER.