[Tommy]

Minnesota (+4.5) at Washington.

The Redskins lost all four pre-season games by a combined score of 104-27, with their starting offense failing to post a single touchdown. They hope to fare much better tonight when the games count for real.

According to coach Joe Gibbs, star running back Clinton Portis will be used as a backup to Ladell Betts. Before Gibbs’ recent announcement, it was assumed that Portis would miss the game entirely due to a shoulder injury. Cornerback, Shawn Springs is very doubtful to play.

Despite the setbacks in the pre-season, the Redskins looked primed for another productive season. The franchise splurged to the tune of over $100 million to sign safety Adam Archuleta, defensive end Andre Carter and wide receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. All four should have an immediate impact.

Despite those acquisitions, Washington will not meet their goal of going to the Super Bowl without steady play from 36 year-old quarterback, Mark Brunell. Brunell enjoyed one of his best seasons last year, throwing for a career high 23 touchdowns and leading the Redskins to the playoffs for the first time in six years. There are serious questions as to whether he can duplicate that effort in 2006.

Minnesota went 9-7 last year after rebounding from an early 2-5 mark. Quarterback Brad Johnson turns 38 this week, and is the NFL’s oldest starting play-caller. Johnson takes over the full-time job from Daunte Culpepper, who was sent packing to Miami. The veteran showed the right stuff when he stepped in for the injured Culpepper last season, steering the Vikings to six straight wins.

That wasn’t enough to save the job of Mike Tice, who has been replaced by Brad Childress, a former offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Vikings’ off-field problems last year, Childress has promised to restore the franchise’s reputation, and a win at Washington would be the ideal start.

San Diego (-3) at Oakland

The Raiders and Chargers franchises are hoping for a return to better days in 2006 after lean pickings in the AFC West last season. Oakland by going back to the future to “Just Win Baby”, and San Diego by ushering in a new era at quarterback.

In Oakland, Art Shell returns as head coach, 12 years after being sacked by controversial owner, Al Davis. A former Hall of Fame player, Shell has held various jobs since, but none as head man, and he is inheriting a woeful team that went just 4-12 last year.

So far in the new regime, the Raiders have won four of their five preseason games and already look like a more confident outfit under Shell’s steady hand.

Raiders’ quarterback Aaron Brooks will be out to make amends for the worst season of his career in 2005. Brooks threw more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (13) last year with New Orleans, and with his confidence crushed, spent the latter stages of the season on the bench.

The key man for the Raiders is flamboyant wide receiver Randy Moss, who joined the franchise last year from the Vikings, but didn’t live up to the hype. While Moss posted respectable figures of 1,005 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, he can do better and will be looking for a big start against the Chargers.

San Diego (9-7 in 2005) has placed its faith in quarterback Philip Rivers, who makes his starting debut against the Raiders after serving a two-year apprenticeship under Drew Brees.

Brees was allowed to leave the team as a free agent after the team missed the playoffs for the ninth time in the past 10 years. Rivers now has his chance, and he has impressed all the right people with his attitude, and his progress will be watched with interest.

Rivers has an ace up his sleeve in Pro Bowler LaDainian Tomlinson, regarded as one of the top running backs in the NFL. Tomlinson has secured over rushing and receiving 9,000 yards since his debut in 2001, more than any other player in that time, and he has a great record against the Raiders over the years.

He and the rest of the Chargers hope that continues tonight in what looks to be a closely contested game.

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Written by Tony Adams http://sportsedge.vip.com/