The Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons will square off on Thursday in what is now one of the first two preseason games of the National Football League season. With the Hall of Fame game getting canceled on Sunday, this game, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Philadelphia Eagles are the first two games. This game will be played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday night. The Atlanta Falcons come into the game as a small online betting favorite, due to playing at home. The Atlanta Falcons are a three point favorite, and the over/under is listed at 36.5 at MyBookie.ag!

NFL Preseason Week 1 Redskins vs Falcons Free Picks

When: Preseason Week 1 – Thursday, August 11, 2016 Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA TV: ESPN Radio: ESPN Radio WTEM 980 AM, WWXX 94.3 FM Stream Option: Watch ESPN Odds: Falcons -3 at MyBookie.ag    

Why Bet on the Falcons

The big names in the Atlanta Falcons offense are right up there with the other top teams in the National Football League. Matt Ryan is aging, but continues to be effective. Julio Jones remains as one of the most athletic receivers in all of the game. At running back, look for the Falcons to give the football to Devonta Freeman. The Falcons have added Jake Long to their offensive line, in hopes he stays healthy, and effective. Defensively, the Falcons are looking for guys like Adrian Clayborn, Tyson Jackson and Sean Weatherspoon to carry the load. Look for most of those guys to sit in this pre-season opener, but they will get the right guys into the game to compete for a roster spot.

Why Bet on the Redskins

The Washington Redskins are coming off that divisional title of a season ago, under first year head coach Jay Gruden. Gruden returns Kirk Cousins, who came out of nowhere to have a sensational season last year. The Redskins receiving core of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon would like to see a full year of health, with running back Matt Jones and Chris Thompson pushing behind. The Redskins would like to see the days of old for Ryan Kerrigan, along with their new addition of Josh Norman to defend the pass. The Redskins also have DeAngelo Hall back for another season. Those guys will be tested against pass happy offenses that they will face for much of the 2016 season.

Expert Pick & Prediction

Look for the Atlanta Falcons to get the job done in their preseason opener. The FAlcons are going to be hungry this season, following their bitter taste of a season ago, where they started hot, and fell flat at the end. The Washington Redskins were a playoff team a season ago, but this season, they are the pick to fall flat a bit. The Falcons are going to use several of their top offensive players for most of the early stages of this game. Look for the Atlanta Falcons to win this game, and cover the spread. Bet the Atlanta Falcons -3.5 over the Washington Redskins on Thursday.