Redskins vs Saints NFL Week 5 Odds for Monday Night

The Washington Redskins (2-1) head south to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints (3-1) in the fifth installment of Monday Night Football on the season. The Redskins have delivered convincing wins at Arizona and at home against the Packers, with a disappointing home loss to the Colts in between. They come off the bye week in first place in the NFC East, leading Dallas and Philadelphia by a half-game. New Orleans scored 40 points in their opener but couldn’t hold off FitzMagic and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing by eight. They escaped a home game against Cleveland with a three-point win and beat Atlanta on the road in overtime, before finally showing some defensive moxie in a 15-point win in New York over the Giants. New Orleans is in first place in the NFC South, leading Carlina by a half-game and Tampa Bay by a game. Check out our NFL betting thoughts about this Monday Night extravaganza.

Redskins vs Saints NFL Week 5 Odds for Monday Night

#Redskins Path to Victory 📝 -Play consistent quarters -Turns pressures into sacks -Wrap up and tackle https://t.co/zriefDPf85

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) October 5, 2018

When: Monday, October 8, 2018, 8:15pm ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans TV: ESPN Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: WatchESPN NFL Week 5 Odds: New Orleans -6.5, O/U 52.5

Why should you bet on the Redskins?

Alex Smith has looked solid in his first three games at the helm of the Washington offense, throwing for four touchdowns against just one interception, completing 69 percent of his passes. The biggest surprise, though, has been the return of Adrian Peterson to NFL competition. He has run for 236 yards and three scores so far this season. Chris Thompson and Jordan Reed have picked up 323 receiving yards and scored twice together. The biggest questions for Washington had come on defense, but their unit has been fairly solid this year, permitting just 14.7 points per contest. Mason Foster is the team’s leading tackler with 27 stops, and Mat Ioannidis leads the defense with three sacks. D.J. Swearinger has picked off two passes so far. New Orleans has a high-flying offense that thrives by throwing the ball down the field, and the Redskins will have to work hard to get pressure on Drew Brees and keep an eye on the Saints’ receivers. If you like the Redskins here, you see the Saints perhaps letting off the gas and Washington showing even more defensive prowess than they have so far this season.

Why should you put your money on the Saints?

New Orleans would push their winning streak to four if they can prevail at home — and they do like playing at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as they have won eight of nine in front of their home fans. Drew Brees continues to defy Father Time, as he has completed 76 percent of his passes and has eight touchdown passes without a single pick. Alvin Kamara is providing balance in the running game, with 275 yards and five scores so far, and the unit is picking up 105 yards per game. Kamara has also been a big player out of the backfield, combining with Michael Thomas for 781 receiving yards and for scores. The question for New Orleans has always been defense. It betrayed them against Minnesota in the divisional playoffs, and it has betrayed them a couple of times this season. They permit 30 points per game so far this year, and almost 400 yards per game. Demario Davis leads the team with 37 tackles, and Cameron Jordan has four sacks, but the Saints need to keep getting stops at the rate they did against the Giants if they want to contend.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I hope that Alex Smith can finally flourish in Washington after almost getting to elite levels in San Francisco and Kansas City. I think he can find some openings down the field against New Orleans. However, the Saints’ offense moves the ball more effectively, and they have wins against bigger teams to this point, I predict a final score of New Orleans 34, Washington 24.