After a surprising 2-0 start to the 2011 NFL season, the Washington Redskins have dropped three of four to level their record at 3-3. Washington's most recent loss, a 33-20 road defeat in Carolina, has fans and scribes rethinking whether Mike Shanahan's squad will be able to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth either in the NFC East or as a wild card. They fell multiple spots in everybody's Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
The Redskins look to get back on track this coming Sunday in Buffalo when they face a Bills team that has had two weeks to rest and prepare. The opening line of the Week 8 matchup was -4 in Buffalo's favor, but sharp money has clearly been pouring in on Buffalo. The line has moved a full two points to -6 at both 5Dimes and Bodog, with the payout even being -115 at the latter. The loss of Chris Cooley for the season surely won't convince too many bettors to take a position on Washington this week either. Neither did John Beck's debut performance at starting quarterback. Beck was far from terrible -- he completed 22-of-37 passes for 279 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. But he didn't look like a clear-cut better option than Rex Grossman under center either. We'll see how he fares in his second start, also in hostile enemy territory.
Washington is now 3-3 against the spread, with two of their covers coming on the road away from FedEx Field. Can they get back in the win column or at least keep things interesting at Orchard Park in Buffalo this Sunday? We'll find out this weekend. In the meantime, stay tuned here and at Hogs Haven for news, analysis and discussion about the 'Skins.