Washington Redskins vs. New York Jets: New York Grades, Notes and Quotes
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Things couldn’t have been going much worse.
As the New York Jets walked back to the locker room at the halfway point of Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Redskins, the game had all the makings of one that would end with a nightmarish conclusion.
New York had turned the ball over three times, Washington had turned that into 13 points and at halftime, the Jets trailed by three. Knowing his team needed a spark, coach Todd Bowles spoke up.
“Energy, energy, energy,” Bowles said of his halftime message. “Let’s see what we’re made of.
In the third and fourth quarters, the Jets dominated en route to a 34-20 victory over Washington. The victory improved New York to 4-1, while Washington fell to 2-4.
“We shot ourselves in the foot (in the first half,)” Bowles said. “We got it going there in the second half. We shook it off. It’s not gonna be easy in this league, we shook off, got going, made some plays in the second half and came out with a win.”
Taking the field for the first time after the team’s annual bye week, it appeared as if the Jets never returned from last week’s trip to London. The defense was lifeless, the offense was stagnant and Washington appeared to be taking advantage of it all.
After going three-and-out on their first offensive possession, Kirk Cousins and the Redskins trotted right back on the field after receiver Eric Decker fumbled on the Jets' first offensive play. Seven plays later, Pierre Garcon got in the end zone on a two-yard touchdown pass from Cousins. While the Jets scored on their next two possessions (Chris Ivory touchdown run, Nick Folk 35-yard field goal), Washington got back on the scoreboard again, thanks to Jets offensive miscues.
A Brandon Marshall fumble and Ryan Fitzpatrick interception (Bashaud Breeland picked it off) led to two Dustin Hopkins field goals and a 13-10 halftime lead for Washington.
“Coach has a way with words,” Marshall said. “(Bowles) is level-headed, and we understood what we had to get done. He told us what we had to get done. It was simple, and we got it done.”
With the crowd at MetLife down-and-out, it didn’t take long for the Jets to breath some life into the more than 75,000 in attendance. A 24-yard Ivory catch-and-run set up a Folk 39-yard, game-tying field goal on the Jets' opening possession of the half. On the Redskins' ensuing possession, Darrelle Revis intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass that set up Fitzpatrick's 18-yard touchdown run.
Fitzpatrick finished 19-of-26 for 253 yards with a pair of touchdowns and the interception. He rushed four times, totaling 31 yards and the score.
“Fitz was throwing the ball and running the ball,” Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie said. “As I would call it, that’s Vintage Fitzpatrick from 2010, 2011 when he was in Buffalo. We love what we’re seeing.”
With the Jets leading for the first time since early in the second quarter, the team turned to the winning formula that was largely the reason for their first three victories of the year: feed Chris Ivory, get the ball to Marshall and force turnovers.
Ivory ran rampant, totaling 146 total yards—half of which came in the second half. Marshall caught seven passes for 111 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Safety Marcus Gilchrist intercepted Cousins, setting up an Eric Decker touchdown reception.
In the first half, the Jets trailed 13-10. In the second, they outscored the Redskins 17-7. Washington’s lone score came on a blocked punt, with four minutes to play and the game already decided.
“You’ve got guys here that have been successful,” Fitzpatrick said. “You’ve got guys that have shown it and show it’s sustainable. We just have to continue to get better. I think we took the right step this week.”
Aside from Marshall, Decker finished with four receptions for 59 yards. On the ground, Zac Stacy provided solid relief with 46 yards on 13 carries. Defensively, David Harris led the way with 11 tackles, while Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson split New York’s lone sack.
Next week, the Jets will travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. The Redskins will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Position Grades for New York Jets
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| Position | Grade |
| QB | B |
| RB | A |
| WR | B- |
| TE | C |
| OL | A |
| DL | A |
| LB | A |
| DB | A |
| Special Teams | D |
| Coaching | A |
Quarterbacks: There’s no denying Ryan Fitzpatrick made some throws he shouldn’t have, but you’re going to get that from him each game. The fact is, Fitzpatrick gives his receivers a chance to make the play. Sometimes, like on the 35-yard touchdown to Brandon Marshall, they do. Sometimes, like on the interception by Bashaud Breeland, they don’t. You need to take the good with the bad. Sunday, there was more good than bad. B
Running Backs: Facing eight- and nine-man fronts all game, the Jets still had success running the ball. Chris Ivory totaled 146 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and 50 yards receiving. Zac Stacy added 46 yards on 13 carries. Pretty impressive. A
Receivers: This is a tough one to grade. Yes, Marshall had quite the impressive statistical day with seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Yes, Decker was the perfect complement with four catches for 59 yards and a score. But, both still turned it over…and both of those turnovers led to Redskins points. Also, aside from those two, Quincy Enunwa (2-17) was the only other wideout to catch a pass. B-
Tight Ends: Neither Jeff Cumberland nor Kellen Davis caught a pass, but Davis’ blocking did contribute to the more than 200 yards the Jets had on the ground. C
Offensive Line: It’s time the Jets' big men up front start getting some credit. Against the Redskins, the group paved the way for 203 yards on the ground. Even more impressive? Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick dropped back 28 times and wasn’t sacked—he’s been brought down just twice all year. The group also wasn’t flagged for a single holding call. A
Defensive Line: There weren’t many sacks, actually just one, but the unit was a big reason the Redskins could only muster 34 yards rushing. The group also had five quarterback hurries between Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams. A
Linebackers: The Redskins ran for just 34 yards on the ground, and the team’s running backs and tight ends were kept in check all day. A
Secondary: Jamison Crowder, who caught four passes for 40 yards, was Washington's leading receiver. Darrelle Revis and Marcus Gilchrist each had interceptions. A
Special Teams: This group was a bit better in coverage, but still managed to mess up. Horrid protection resulted in a blocked punt in the fourth quarter. D
Coaching: The Jets were horrid in the first half, but they completely turned this around in the second. Credit that to Todd Bowles and his coaching staff getting the Jets back in it. This was one of those games that very easily could have gone the other way when the second half began. But it didn’t. That’s a credit to Bowles. A
The Jets Offense Has Taken Quite the Step Up This Year
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During the offseason, so much of the talk regarding the New York Jets was about the team’s revamped and rebuilt defense—and for good reason, too.
After all, GM Mike Maccagnan brought cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine to town, along with safety Marcus Gilchrist and defensive end Leonard Williams.
But Maccagnan didn’t exactly "forget" the offensive side of the ball. And that group, as much as the defense, has taken quite the step up this year.
With James Carpenter at guard, Brandon Marshall at receiver and Ryan Fitzpatrick under center as the new pieces to New York’s new "O," the group has scored 129 points through the first five games of the season.
That’s a 50-point bump from a season ago.
Fitzpatrick is on pace to throw 28 touchdowns, which would be the most by a Jets quarterback since 1998. Carpenter is a key piece on an offensive line that has running back Chris Ivory on pace for 1,472 yards rushing this season and has only allowed Fitzpatrick to be brought down twice.
Marshall, well, he’s already caught 37 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns.
The Jets offense is rolling, and the new guys are a big reason why.
Darrelle Revis Better Than Ever at 30
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Last July, Darrelle Revis turned 30 years old. When Revis was a free agent, there were questions on if he was on the downside of his career.
After all, how long could one of the best the game has ever seen continue to play at a level that was one of the best the game has ever seen?
The answer? At least another year because 2015 Darrelle Revis may be the best yet.
Against the Redskins, Revis intercepted his third pass of the season; that’s his most since 2011. This year, Revis has been involved in six turnovers (three interceptions, three fumble recoveries); that’s his most since 2009.
Since Revis came back to the Jets, he’s brought the defense to another level. His teammates feed off him, he’s helped bring along the other players in the secondary and is playing at another All-Pro level. He’s been dominant and everything GM Mike Maccagnan could have dreamed he’d be when he signed him to a five-year, $70 million contract.
But see, when players sign mega-money deals, as Revis did, it’s easy for teams to overpay. Very few players who get such deals are really "worth" that money. In Revis’ case, the Jets may have gotten a bargain.
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Brandon Marshall Makes Jets History, on Pace to Make More
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In the third quarter of Sunday’s game, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lofted a pass in the direction of receiver Brandon Marshall.
Marshall was covered—truthfully, the ball probably never should have been thrown—but he fought back, scooped it up an inch before the ball hit the turf and made his way around two defenders before darting into the end zone. It was quite an impressive 35-yard touchdown.
"It" was also Marshall’s sixth catch of the game, 36th of the season and marked his fourth score of the year.
"It" also put Marshall’s name in the history books. The big-bodied wideout is now the first player in Jets history with six or more receptions in five straight games. He’s also the first wideout since Don Maynard in 1968 to record 100 yards receiving in four straight games.
“People will make up any kind of record,” Marshall said, laughing. “It’s like, ‘Hey, he had over 100 yards on turf, on Sunday before the sun went down.’ Anyone can make up stats. I’m just trying to do my best and prove my worth.”
That’s true, considering the records on Sunday were two of the more "out-there" ones in the books.
But if Marshall keeps playing as he has been…his name is going to be No. 1 on some with a bit more meaning.
Through five games this year, Marshall has caught 37 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns. Expanding those numbers for a full 16 games and the former Chicago Bear is on pace for 118 catches, 1,635 yards and 13 touchdowns.
That would be the most single-season receptions and yards in Jets history and second-most touchdowns.
Chris Ivory on Brandon Marshall’s “Best Running Back in the NFL” Comments
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“Yeah. I feel like I’m one of them.”—Chris Ivory
During the week leading up to the Jets game against the Redskins, receiver Brandon Marshall made quite the headlines when he called Chris Ivory the “best running back in the NFL.”
Ivory hadn’t spoken to the media since Marshall’s high praise, but he got a chance to after the victory over the Redskins…one where he rushed for 146 yards and had 50 more receiving.
His response? Well, he wouldn’t say he was the best, but he certainly thinks his name should be in the discussion.
Jets Coach Todd Bowles on Ryan Fitzpatrick Sliding
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“Every time he crosses the line of scrimmage I get worried. He’s a tough competitor, and he has a feel for it. Hopefully he can learn to slide. We’ll send him to a baseball school in the offseason.”—Todd Bowles
It’s been the talk in Florham Park over the past two weeks. How do the Jets get the suddenly successful-running quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to start sliding?
Well, as evident during Fitzpatrick’s several runs Sunday, which totaled 31 yards including an 18-yard touchdown, the team hasn’t yet figured it out. At his postgame press conference, Jets coach Todd Bowles weighed in on what he thinks when Fitzpatrick takes off.
Redskins Coach Jay Gruden on the Jets Offense
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“That’s where we’d like to get to”—Jay Gruden
Well, it’s been quite some time since anyone wanted to “be” the Jets offense. In fact, with the team being one of the league’s worst for quite some time, it’s a little surprising to hear a head coach say that.
Still, Gruden’s words speak volumes for what offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has done with the group.
Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the Journal Inquirer and Scout.com. All quotes, practice observations and advanced stats referenced are gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Connor can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes) or via email (Connor_j_hughes@yahoo.com).
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