There is just one stretch this year where there is NFL action on five consecutive days. Tonight marks the fifth and final day of this span when the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins face off at FedExField in Landover, Md. for one of the most anticipated preseason contests in recent memory (8 p.m., ESPN).
Line: Redskins -2.5, Total: 41.5
Line movement and notes: The spread has been bouncing between Washington -2 and -2.5 all week, with a -3 popping up occasionally. The total has hovered between 40.5 and 41.5, with 42s starting to appear today. For updated spreads and totals from around Las Vegas, visit our live odds page.
The key subplot: The game could go a long way to determining who gets the nod as the Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Steelers. Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer will split time with Cleveland’s first-team offense, and coach Mike Pettine plans to choose his guy on tomorrow.
Manziel figures to start at least at some point during the season, and since the Browns signed Red Grossman last week, speculation has Hoyer on the trading block.
"I guess people were trying to connect the dots and that's your job to do that," Hoyer said. "For me, I'm not concerned about anything like that. I'm looking forward to being the starting quarterback here."
Manziel, for his part, is sounding humble.
"I don't think I'm ready for Pittsburgh right now," he said.
Hoyer started against the Lions last week, finishing 6-for-14 for 92 yards. Manziel went 7-for-11 for 63 yards and added 27 yards on six carries in relief. Overall, the Browns' offense wasn't particularly impressive in a 13-12 loss.
No such controversy in DC? The Redskins, meanwhile, insist Robert Griffin III is locked in as their starting quarterback, but the strong play of Kirk Cousins has created some buzz and has some wondering if the former Michigan State Spartan is actually the best QB on the roster. A healthy RGIII has never been in danger of losing his job, but quarterback debates are a staple of preseason.
It didn't help quiet the instigators when Cousins went 9-for-13 for 103 yards and touchdown in a 23-6 win a Week 1 win against the Patriots. RGIII played sparingly, making way for Cousins after completing two of his four pass attempts for nine yards. Griffin is expected to receive more reps tonight, but he's unlikely to play beyond the first quarter.
The Linemakers' lean: The comparison between Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer is a bit disturbing for us. If Manziel, a first-round pick, can't beat out Hoyer, then how good can he be? The Browns, in fact, have the worst quarterback rotation in the game, according to The Linemakers' Kenny White.
Meanwhile, the Redskins will get 2-2.5 quarters from Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins with Colt McCoy handling some late-game work.
We like the total to fall UNDER 41 (thanks largely to the Browns offense) and the Redskins to cover. Kenny even offers that he plans on parlaying the UNDER with a Redskins cover -- "probably my best two plays of the weekend," he says. Just don't bet too much. It is still the preseason after all.