On the road again. The Los Angeles Rams are on the road again. Week 5 sends the Rams back to the East Coast for the third time in four weeks, visiting the Washington Football Team this Sunday.
The NFL betting odds have Los Angeles as an 8-point road favorite in Washington, coming off a subpar performance in a 17-9 home win over the New York Giants, falling short as a 13.5-point favorite. The Football Team has lost three straight outings after a Week 1 win.
Check out our NFL free picks and predictions for Rams vs. Washington on October 11.
Los Angeles Rams vs Washington Football Team betting preview
Weather
The forecast is calling for temperatures in the mid-60s with a 100 percent chance of rain (heavy rain at times), and winds blowing SE up to 10 mph in Washington. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Rams: Micah Kiser LB (Out).
Washington: Dwayne Haskins QB (Out), Greg Stroman CB (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Washington Football Team is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 home games. Find more NFL betting trends for Rams vs. Washington.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
This spread has been all over the place depending on where you bet. The Rams opened around -9 and were as big as -9.5 before dipping as low as -7.5 and the spread settling in around -8 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Los Angeles was ripe for a letdown spot in Week 4, coming off its second straight cross-country trip and a thrilling loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. You can’t blame the Rams for not getting up to play the likes of the Giants, given their situation. In fact, L.A. showed more life in the postgame skirmish than it did through the first three quarters.
Sean McVay has a solid record in these early 1 p.m. ET starts since taking over the clipboard in L.A., with that loss to the Bills as his lone blemish in those situations. He’s led the Rams to a 5-1 SU and ATS record in 1 p.m. ET road starts and enjoys a homecoming of sorts in D.C. Sunday, having worked for Washington from 2010 to 2016.
The Rams had a tough time finding their footing against New York, struggling for 58 rushing yards on 23 carries. However, I don’t see McVay getting away from that game plan versus Washington. Los Angeles still hands off on more than 51 percent of its offensive snaps, and Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown have helped L.A. establish the run at a tune of more than 142 yards per game.
The Football Team has been absolutely blasted by opponents on the ground through four weeks. Washington is allowing almost 130 yards rushing per outing and gave up 158 and 144 gains on the ground in the past two games against Cleveland and Baltimore.
Big spreads and run-heavy playbooks don’t always mix, but L.A. found success in picking up the pace in the second half versus the Giants and could implement that same up-tempo strategy against the Washington defense Sunday.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles -8 (-110)
Over/Under pick
This total is bouncing between 45 and 46 points early in the week. The Football Team has looked lost on offense the past three games, posting scores of 15, 20, and 17 points. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins had been sacked six times in the past two games but gets a break from those bumps after being replaced by backup Kyle Allen, who now faces Aaron Donald and the Rams in Week 5.
Haskins didn't have a terrible box score in Week 4 but appeared to be losing his nerve, looking off longer throws and passes across the middle and instead checking down to short safe options. Allen had his moments in Carolina last season before falling to earth. He had seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four starts before posting a 10-to-16 TD-to-INT count in his final nine games. Jalen Ramsey and this L.A. secondary have to be licking their chops looking at those wayward throws on tape.
As for the Rams offense, we noted the possible run-focus of Week 5’s playbook, which could get boosted by the fact that Cam Akers is expected to return from injury this Sunday. That gives Los Angeles three capable rushers to wear down Washington over the course of four quarters.
The L.A. defense could also benefit from getting some bodies back with safety Jordan Fuller expected to return after missing Week 4, and rookie linebacker Terrell Lewis possibly making his debut and giving this dangerous (but underperforming) pass rush a shot in the arm.
PREDICTION: Under 45 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
Rams quarterback Jared Goff completed a season-high 25 pass attempts against the Giants last week, returning a mere 200 yards in gains. And with Los Angeles’ rushing attack back at full strength and picking on a suspect Washington defense, Goff may see less action in Week 5.
Goff’s early career struggles on the road were well-documented by prop bettors, though he’s balanced out those efforts somewhat the past two years. For his career, the Rams QB owns a completion percentage under 62 percent with a QB rating of 91.2 in the role of visitor, panning out to 251 passing yards per road game.
Sunday’s opponent has given up only 6.6 yards per attempt to rival passers this season and Washington stud rookie Chase Young could be back on the field after sitting Week 4 with a groin injury. The Football Team loves to dial up the blitz under new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, so Goff will not have time to find his receivers for deep strikes. On top of that, the forecast for FedEx Field is calling for wet weather with possible rain showers, which makes reeling in passes all that more difficult.
PREDICTION: Jared Goff Under 267.5 passing yards (-120)
Rams vs Washington betting card
- Los Angeles -8 (-110)
- Under 45 (-110)
- Jared Goff Under 267.5 passing yards (-120)
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