The Redskins have the tools to stifle the Bengals in the capital, but they aren't the only underdogs poised to cause an upset...
Washington Redskins (+5.5) v Cincinnati Bengals – {ODDS:116700692:20/41}
The final London game of the season should be a close one between two teams struggling to stay in the playoff race.
The Redskins have won seven of their last 10 games against the spread dating back to last season, while the Bengals have beaten the handicap just twice in their last six.
Cincinnati’s success this season has depended almost entirely on the performance of top receiver A.J. Green.
He has averaged 174 yards per game in their three wins, but just 63 in their four defeats.
Washington cornerback Josh Norman is capable of shutting Green down, providing he recovers from a recent concussion.
If the 28-year-old plays, the Redskins stand a great chance of winning at Wembley.
Even without him, though, they should be able to stay within a touchdown.
Either way, play it safe and take the alternative handicap of 5.5 points.
Detroit Lions (+2.5) @ Houston Texans – {ODDS:116701545:10/11}
Each of these teams have been above solid defensively this season, but the Lions have the clear advantage on the other side of the ball.
Detroit rank among the NFL’s top-10 sides offensively, while only the Chicago Bears have scored fewer points per game than the Texans.
Brock Osweiler will continue to serve as Houston’s starting quarterback, despite throwing eight interceptions in his first seven games and averaging the NFL’s fewest yards per pass attempt.
The Lions’ Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions suring his team’s current three-game winning streak.
Detroit are simply the better team, and in beating the Eagles and Redskins over the past three weeks they have overcome tougher tests than this.
New Orleans Saints (+3.5) v Seattle Seahawks – {ODDS:116701779:20/27}
With a record of two wins and four losses, the Saints have made a disappointing start to the season.
They are undefeated against the spread in their four games as underdogs, though, and four of their six fixtures have been decided by three points or fewer.
Last week, Sean Payton’s side lost by six to the Chiefs in Kansas City, but managed to cover the spread and had the ball with a chance to win as time ran out in the fourth quarter.
They should be able to keep this game close against a Seahawks team that has scored the fifth-fewest points per game this season.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson has been limited in practice with a pectoral injury, and he failed to score a touchdown in a 6-6 tie with the Arizona Cardinals last week.
Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) @ Carolina Panthers – {ODDS:116702862:10/11}
NFC favourites have won just 15 games and lost 36 against the spread this season.
The Panthers, who made it to the Super Bowl just last year, have done nothing so far to suggest they will go against that trend.
Their sole win over the lowly San Francisco 49ers was the only time they have beaten the handicap all season.
Last season’s NFC champions have been surprisingly poor defensively, conceding 29.3 points per game – the fourth-most in the NFL.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, are the league’s fifth-best defensive side, allowing an average of just 15.6 points.
They are well-equipped to stifle Carolina’s dangerous rushing attack, having limited three of their last four opponents to fewer than 55 yards on the ground.
