As we have witnessed so many times in the past, a starting rookie quarterback in the NFL, is usually a recipe for disaster. In San Diego former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees had a breakout season last year, but not before performing so badly, that the Chargers drafted Phillip Rivers.

Now Brees former teammate Kyle Orton is going to get thrown into the lions den, as he makes his first start on the road against Greg Williams’s ferocious Redskins defense. Supporters of Orton’s will point to the fact that he has been schooled for four years in the West Coast offense by Purdue head coach Joe Tiller who is a master at this scheme, but playing on Sundays in the NFL, is a giant leap from Saturdays in the Big Ten.

The Redskins are favored by 6 points and the over/under total sits at 33 presently. As noted above the Redskins have a very talented defense, but their offense is questionable at best. They are starting diminutive receivers in Santana Moss and David Patton and will still try and feature Clinton Portis, running the ball. At quarterback they have Patrick Ramsey who beat out veteran Mark Brunell for the spot, but make no mistake this team’s fortunes rest on the play of the defense and the foot of placekicker John Hall.

Bears coach Lovie Smith acquired his head coaching job due to his fine work in St. Louis with the Rams and he has a pretty good idea what the Redskins will throw at Orton. Multiple blitz packages and probably eight men in the box, to force the rookie to throw, will be the look Washington will give. The Bears chances of escaping the nation’s capital with a victory rest with the talented defense.

There is no way I will put my dollars on the Bears to cover the spread, as the rookie Orton may cough up the football one too many times. I will however grab the under at 33 as both teams will feature their running game and the defenses are outstanding.

Bears/Redskins under 33!