Redskins, Not Raiders, Now Favored to be Featured on “Hard Knocks” in 2019
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: April 1, 2020 at 4:41 pm EDTPublished:
- Sportsbooks now favor the Washington Redskins to be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks
- In February, Washington was the third betting choice to be on the show
- The Oakland Raiders were the previous favorites
Is a Hard Knocks life ahead for the Washington Redskins? Well, yes it would appear to be if you read any reliable prognostication for the upcoming NFL season. But you may not have to wait that long to see the Redskins dealing with hard knocks.
Inside access. Lots of excitement. Interesting stories.
It'd be cool to see the #Redskins on "Hard Knocks" this summer… but you shouldn't necessarily expect it.
(via @Ourisman_Toyota) pic.twitter.com/fUQsDxOU9n
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) May 10, 2019
Sportsbooks have moved the Redskins into the favorite’s position as the NFL team to be featured on the HBO show Hard Knocks.
2019 Odds to Appear on Hard Knocks
| Team | 2019 Hard Knocks Odds |
|---|---|
| Washington Redskins | +125 |
| Oakland Raiders | +250 |
| New York Giants | +300 |
| Detroit Lions | +350 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +900 |
*Odds taken 05/17/19
In the previous odds released in February, Washington was the third betting choice, behind the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.
Harder to Locate Hard Knocks Participants
In the quasi-militaristic world of the NFL, secrets are guarded so closely you’d think an NFL practice facility was Fort Knox. Practices are closed to all but team personnel. Media access is limited and tightly-monitored.
The Redskins would benefit immensely from Hardknocks. They should be requesting to be featured. They need fan excitement and the hit show would help. Also, they could put on a great "we're running a great outfit" front for a few weeks and alter narrative. They should be begging.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 17, 2019
NFL teams want to offer 24/7 access to their facilities for a TV crew about as much as Donald Trump wants to hand over his tax returns to Congress.
The league has installed loopholes to avoid participation in the show. Any club with a first-year head coach, that has reached the playoffs in either of the previous two seasons, or has been on the show in the past decade can opt out if asked to be featured on Hard Knocks.
Raiders of a Lost Art
It made sense for the Raiders to be a target of Hard Knocks. They’ve added two of the NFL’s most controversial characters to their roster in wide receiver Antonio Brown and linebacker Vontez Burfict.
https://twitter.com/ChuckMcBride_/status/1125999843237933056
On the surface, it might be expected that the Raiders would be a natural to handle the exposure of an all-access television series, considering that head coach Jon Gruden jumped out of the Monday Night Football broadcast booth and back on to the sideline.
If you’re HBO, don’t you want to wait a year until Oakland relocates to Las Vegas?
The truth, though, is that the Raiders are being extremely resistant to the idea. And if you’re HBO, don’t you want to wait a year until Oakland relocates to Las Vegas?
The Raiders and the Vegas Strip? Now that’s entertainment.
It Must Be the Redskins
The storylines in the nation’s capital never stop. There’s the battle for the starting QB job between journeyman Case Keenum and first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins. Last year’s starting QB Alex Smith is dealing with a potential career-ending leg injury. What about running back Darrius Guice, who missed his rookie season after blowing out a knee?
I feel like it's going to be the #Redskins.
Similar to the Rams, Hard Knocks will probably save Oakland for when they move to Las Vegas. #Lions could be it too, but I'm not sure what personalities they have. WAS has a new rookie QB, Josh Norman, Landon Collins, and DC appeal. https://t.co/TpMcxwQoad
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) May 14, 2019
You’ve got two attention-loving defensive backs in Josh Norman and Landon Collins. A head coach in Jay Gruden who looks to have about as much long-term job security as a Trump cabinet secretary.
Factor in the ever-unpredictable wildcard that is Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, and Washington must be the winner.
Pick: Washington Redskins (+125)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
