NFL Week 6: Skidding Washington Meets Hapless Giants

Written By Dann Stupp on October 14, 2020Last Updated on March 9, 2022
The Washington Football Team’s 2020 season sputters along and enters Week 6 with some rare good news: an even worse team awaits on Sunday.

After a lackluster start, the Washington Football Team’s 2020 season manages to find some positive momentum as it reaches Week 6.

In an attempt to break their four-game losing streak, Washington (1-4) is set to face off against one of the few teams with a poorer record. This weekend, Washington travels north for an encounter with their winless NFC East rivals, the New York Giants (0-5).

Hey, it’s something.

After WFT’s extremely disappointing defeat against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, we are desperate for any positive outcome.

The upcoming game on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., showcases the NFC’s two most underperforming offenses. As a result, it comes as no surprise that both oddsmakers and the betting public have established very low expectations for scoring in this match.

Now, let us examine the Week 6 match.

Washington vs. New York total and odds

With the exception of the Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers game, none of the Week 6 matchups have a total as low as the Washington vs. New York game.

Initially set at 44.5, the overall score prediction for the game had been lowered to 43 by Wednesday due to bettors’ influence. The weather conditions, however, will not affect this change, as East Rutherford is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the 60s on Sunday.

Instead, it is undoubtedly challenging for Virginia sports betting enthusiasts to overlook the two teams’ struggle in reaching the endzone.

These are the rankings of WFT and the Giants in various categories compared to the other 31 NFL teams:

WASHINGTON NY GIANTS
Wins 1 (T-21st) 0 (T-30th)
Total points 89 (29th) 81 (30th)
Scoring differential -53 (31st) -52 (30th)
Total yards 1,315 (31st) 1,412 (28th)
Passing yards 908 (28th) 1,017 (23rd)
Rushing yards 407 (30th) 395 (31st)
Yards per play 4.2 (32nd) 4.7 (29th)

Regarding the point spread, the Giants initially started as the favored team with a 3.5-point advantage. Nevertheless, early bets have favored Washington. In fact, by Wednesday, the line had shifted past an important number, resulting in Washington now being the underdogs with just a 2.5-point deficit.

At most sportsbooks, the Giants are currently listed at around -135 on the moneyline, while Washington has a comeback of +125.

If someone were to place a $100 bet on NY at those odds, they would earn a total of $74.07 as winnings. On the other hand, if the bettor placed a winning bet on Washington, they would receive a $125 payoff.

The Giants are implied to have a 57.5% chance of winning, while Washington has a 44.4% chance.

WFT vs. NY Giants breakdown

What are the factors behind the Football Team’s four consecutive losses? Compiling a comprehensive list can take up an entire afternoon, but the most urgent issue appears to lie in the quarterback position.

The QB carousel has, indeed, dominated the team’s headlines this week.

After only four games, head coach Ron Rivera decided to bench Dwayne Haskins, the No. 1 draft pick of 2019. Consequently, Kyle Allen was given the opportunity to start in the previous week. However, due to an arm injury, he was forced to leave the game against the Rams before halftime, resulting in a loss for the team.

From there, Alex Smith made his entrance as a substitute. This marked his first appearance since November 2018, when he suffered a devastating leg injury during a game. The recovery that ensued was nothing short of horrifying, necessitating an additional 17 surgeries.

Although it was exciting to have Smith back as the starting quarterback, the outcome was disappointing. Both Smith and Allen did not perform well, with Smith going 9-for-17 for 37 yards and a QB rating of 58.7, and Allen going 9-for-13 for 74 yards and a QB rating of 83.5, in the one-sided 30-10 defeat.

However, Rivera affirmed that Allen will maintain his position as the starter if he is in good health by Sunday.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the quarterback, the Washington defense must offer much-needed security. Last week, the Rams managed to sack the WFT a whopping eight times. In fact, the offensive line of WAS ranks as the second-worst in the league in terms of allowing sacks, averaging 4.2 per game.

The Giants, on the other hand, could potentially secure their first victory of 2020. Despite a winless record, head coach Joe Judge has been close to tasting victory with four out of five losses being within a 10-point margin. In fact, led by a solid performance from QB Daniel Jones and impressive contributions from running back Devonta Freeman and wide receiver Darius Slayton, the Giants held a 34-31 lead over the Cowboys with two minutes remaining on Sunday. Unfortunately, Dallas managed a comeback, scoring two late field goals to secure the win.

The Giants have finally become the favorites this season, thanks to their bright spots and the advantage of playing at home on Sunday.

Other Week 6 games of note to Virginia

Virginia football fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of games in Week 6 featuring their beloved NFL teams.

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-3)

Following a dominant victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Tennessee Titans, who currently sit atop the AFC South with a perfect 4-0 record, are preparing to defend their unbeaten streak against divisional opponents, the Houston Texans, who have struggled with a 1-4 record. However, Tennessee faces a tight turnaround as they only have five days to recuperate from their COVID-delayed game on Tuesday before their upcoming match on Sunday at 1 p.m., which will be televised on CBS.

The Texans, led by new head coach Romeo Crennel, put an end to their four-game losing streak with a 30-14 triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and the rest of the Titans, who are favored by 3 points, will face a tough challenge against them.

Baltimore Ravens (-9) at Philadelphia Eagles

The Baltimore Ravens (4-1), considered one of the top favorites this week, aim to secure their third consecutive victory as they face the struggling Philadelphia Eagles (1-3-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Ravens’ quarterback, Lamar Jackson, displayed some signs of rustiness during their uneven 27-3 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. However, the Baltimore defense proved to be as formidable as always.

Due to the Eagles’ injury concerns and QB Carson Wentz’s continuous struggles with interceptions throughout the season, bettors have shown significant favor towards Baltimore in early Week 6 betting.

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)

The NFC South leaders, the Carolina Panthers (3-2), are currently tied with two other teams. However, they have an opportunity to separate themselves from the rest as they face the Chicago Bears (4-1) from the NFC North on Sunday (1 p.m., FOX). Despite being slight favorites, both teams are in good form and are coming off impressive wins in Week 5.

Last week, Teddy Bridgewater, the quarterback for the Panthers, showcased his skills with an impressive performance against the Atlanta Falcons, accumulating 313 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Additionally, the Panthers’ injured running back, Christian McCaffrey, is on the verge of making a comeback, potentially as early as this week. This impending return will undoubtedly bolster Carolina’s already formidable lineup.

Dann Stupp Avatar
Written by

Dann Stupp

Residing in Lexington, Virginia, Dann Stupp is an experienced sports journalist who has contributed his writing and editing skills to renowned outlets such as The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, and MLB.com.

View all posts by Dann Stupp