Washington Redskins vs. New York Jets: Full New York Game Preview
Back when Rex Ryan roamed the sideline for the Jets, the week after the bye wasn’t very kind to New York. In his six years as coach, the Jets won just once following their time off.
With Ryan now in Buffalo and Todd Bowles the team’s new lead man, Sunday afternoon will just be another small opportunity to show that this new era of Jets football resembles nothing of the last. Fresh off their bye week, the 3-1 Jets will play host to the 2-3 Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium.
Through the first quarter of the season, it’s been relatively smooth sailing for the Jets.
The defense is ranked near the top of the league in most statistical categories (fewest points per game, second-fewest yards per game), Chris Ivory is running the ball (334 rushing yards, 104.7 average per game), Brandon Marshall is catching the ball (30 receptions, 400 yards, three touchdowns) and Ryan Fitzpatrick is, well, doing enough (seven touchdowns, six interceptions).
As for the Redskins? Well, the Robert Griffin III offseason drama hasn’t derailed the team too much. In fact, the group was a Kirk Cousins pick-six away from shocking the undefeated Atlanta Falcons a week ago in overtime.
So, what’s going to happen when the Redskins travel north a few hours to take on the Jets? Who comes out on top? Here’s what to watch for when the Jets square off against the Redskins.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
Location: MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, N.J.
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: Fox
Week 4 Recap: New York Jets 27, Miami Dolphins 14 [Had a Bye Week 5]
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Welcome back, Chris Ivory?
After not playing a snap in the Jets loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, Ivory broke out for New York in a 27-14 victory over the Dolphins. The back rushed 29 times for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown.
The most eye-popping stat from Ivory’s impressive day? 110 of his yards came after contact, per Pro Football Focus.
Aside from Ivory, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick did enough, completing 16-of-29 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Receiver Brandon Marshall continued his resurgent 2015 campaign with seven more receptions for 128 yards.
On defense, the Jets gave Miami’s Ryan Tannehill a four-quarter-long headache. The quarterback was under pressure on 24 of his 48 dropbacks, was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. On the ground, the Dolphins didn’t manage much.
Lamar Miller ran for 26 yards on seven carries, and Jonas Gray touched the ball just once for one yard. Actually, Miami’s leading rusher was receiver Jarvis Landry (two rushes, 29 yards).
Overall, it was a dominant victory for the Jets, so much so that the Dolphins fired head coach Joe Philbin the next day.
News and Notes
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Can Brandon Marshall make Jets history?
When Mike Maccagnan phoned Chicago earlier this offseason in an attempt to acquire Brandon Marshall, the first-year Jets GM hoped he was getting a solid complement to fellow receiver Eric Decker.
After all, Decker was at his best as a member of the Denver Broncos. Back then, he had Demaryius Thomas to draw coverage away from him, thus Decker saw more one-on-ones.
Maccagnan thought maybe Marshall, who was coming off an injury-riddled 2014 campaign that culminated in his worst statistical season since his rookie year, could have a slight resurgence. The worst that could happen? The Jets lose a low draft pick. The best that could happen?
Well, that turns out to be exactly what the team got.
Through four games, Marshall has been nearly unguardable. The wideout has pulled in 30 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns. For a franchise that hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season from a wideout since Jerricho Cotchery in (seriously) 2007, Marshall’s quickly becoming a fan favorite. Actually, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may love him more than any fan.
In four games, Marshall has been thrown to 43 times, according to PFF.
If Fitzpatrick continues to target Marshall over, and over and over again, there’s a good chance he makes Jets history. With six receptions on Sunday, Marshall will become the first Jets receiver ever with six or more in five straight games, according to Bleacher Report's Erik Frenz.
Can Ryan Fitzpatrick stop throwing interceptions?
The question was posed innocently enough. At his daily press conference on Wednesday, Jets head coach Todd Bowles was asked what quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to do better the remainder of the season.
His answer?
“Not throw interceptions.”
While the Jets are sitting pretty at 3-1, the quarterback play hasn’t exactly been spectacular. In fact, at times, New York has been winning in spite of Fitzpatrick, not because of.
Looking over Fitzpatrick’s stats, his 924 passing yards are nice, his 60.7 percent completion percentage is good enough and his seven touchdowns aren’t too shabby.
But his six interceptions? In four games? That’s downright dreadful. Fitzpatrick is on pace for 24 interceptions this season. That’s something even Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez never "accomplished."
“The turnovers, especially on my end, have to come down a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “You try to group it into categories. Was this a bad decision? Was it a bad throw? Was it one that (was) tipped at the line, and that’s just going to happen? How can we prevent this and make it better next time.
“I’ve got to try to understand why I’m making certain decisions and try to learn from each play.”
The Jets are in a position, especially with a favorable schedule down the stretch, to make a run at the postseason. If Fitzpatrick keeps turning it over as he has been, there’s a chance he won’t be the one under center leading that playoff push.
Can the Jets' offensive line keep opening running lanes, keep Fitzpatrick upright?
Starting running back Chris Ivory is averaging 104.7 rushing yards per game—the best in the NFL.
Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sacked twice—the fewest in the NFL.
Conclusion drawn? The Jets' offensive line is playing well…really well.
If New York wants to continue its hot start to the year, a lot of it will come down to two things: The defense and offensive line.
As the "D" keeps showing why it’s one of the league’s best, the offensive line needs to continue to be the workhorse of the offense. Whether it’s Geno Smith or Fitzpatrick under center, the Jets don’t have an elite-level quarterback. Everything the offense does will be predicated on making the quarterback’s life easy.
That means having an established running game and keeping "insert quarterback's name here" on his feet. The first quarter of the season is done, and the Jets have done both of the above quite well. The key now is continuing it.
Latest Injury News
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| Player Name | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| Jaiquawn Jarrett | S | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| Chris Owusu | WR | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| Marcus Williams | DB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| Willie Colon | OL | Knee | LTD | LTD | LTD | Questionable |
| Antonio Cromartie | DB | Groin | LTD | DNP | FULL | Probable |
| Jeff Cumberland | TE | Concussion | LTD | LTD | FULL | Probable |
| David Harris | LB | Quad | LTD | LTD | LTD | Questionable |
| Jamari Lattimore | LB | Concussion | LTD | LTD | FULL | Probable |
| Bilal Powell | RB | Groin | LTD | LTD | LTD | Questionable |
| Dion Bailey | S | Elbow | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Quinton Coples | OLB | Elbow | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Eric Decker | WR | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Chris Ivory | RB | Quad | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Calvin Pryor | S | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Darrin Walls | DB | Hamstring | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Muhammad Wilkerson | DL | Ribs | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
| Leonard Williams | DL | Ankle | FULL | FULL | FULL | Probable |
Chart Codes: TBD (to be determined); DNP (did not practice); LTD (limited); Probable (75 percent chance of playing); Questionable (50 percent chance of playing); Doubtful (25 percent chance of playing); Out (zero percent chance of playing)
Thursday, Oct. 13: Cornerback Antonio Cromartie missed practice with a personal reason, and Todd Bowles said he expects linebacker David Harris to play on Sunday.
Wednesday, Oct. 12: The Jets got tight end Jeff Cumberland back in a limited basis as he continues to work his way back from a concussion. Guard Willie Colon (knee) was back, too, after missing the last two games, while linebacker David Harris (quad) and running back Bilal Powell (groin) took part in practice as well.
Speaking after practice, Bowles seemed optimistic about all players who were limited with the exception of Powell. It doesn’t seem likely the back will play Sunday.
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Key Matchups
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Redskins Receiver DeSean Jackson vs. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis
DeSean Jackson has never been a player to back away from what he believes—especially when it comes to his own personal abilities. So, when the playmaking wideout was asked during the offseason who he thinks can guard him, he was honest, per ESPN.com's John Keim:
No one.
Really?
Yes, really. That means, as Jackson name-dropped, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman…and the Jets Darrelle Revis.
Jackson, who’s working his way back from a shoulder injury, won’t face Sherman this year. But this Sunday, he’ll see Revis. And does Revis care? Especially after being called out?
Eh, not so much.
“I don’t care if he plays or not,” Revis said. “It’s about us as a team.”
Revis and Jackson have faced each other a couple of times during the their overlapping time in the NFL. Like most receivers who make their way over to Revis Island, things didn’t go well for Jackson. The explosive wideout managed just four combined catches for 34 yards in the two games.
If Jackson plays on Sunday, which seems highly likely, he’ll also highly likely be on a pitch count. Still, it’ll be fun to watch him go up against Revis.
Redskins Center Kory Lichtensteiger vs. Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison
It hasn’t been a good start to the season for Kory Lichtensteiger. Through five games, the center has been graded out by PFF with a minus-27.3.
How exactly does one receive a grade of minus-27.3, you ask? You get called for three penalties and allow two quarterback sacks, two quarterback hits and 11 quarterback hurries in five games.
Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison, whom Lichtensteiger should see an awful lot of Sunday, will be looking to have himself a field day.
Considered by many as one of the better players at his position, Harrison is a feisty big man with a never-ending motor. He loves to talk, is beloved by nearly everyone in the Jets locker room, and with him still awaiting his first sack of the year, this week may be his best chance to get after the quarterback.
X-Factor
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Sheldon Richardson stood by his locker on Monday having just finished his first practice since being re-instated by the NFL. He was getting dressed and preparing to face the media. After all, with his four-game ban for smoking marijuana now up, he was required to talk again.
Just before the cameras turned on, a voice shouted over from a few feet away.
“He’s baaaaacccckkkkkk,” yelled safety Calvin Pryor.
Sunday against Washington, the Jets defense will finally resemble what Todd Bowles had hoped it would when he became the team’s head coach. There will be Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine in the secondary, and there will be Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Richardson on the defensive line.
Originally drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, Richardson has established himself as one of the game’s best 3-4 defensive ends. The Associated Press’ Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler a season ago, Richardson has recorded 11.5 sacks in 32 career games. While his off-the-field life caught up to him this offseason, he’s now back, and Richardson, and the Jets, couldn’t be happier.
“Anytime you have a good football player, you welcome him back with open arms,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday. “We know he’s a great football player. He just adds to the mental psyche of the defense getting a player like that back and the defensive line is so close; they’re happy to have him back. We’re all happy to have him back.”
Bowles hasn’t decided yet just how much Richardson will play, but once he steps foot on the field, he’ll likely be playing like a man possessed.
With that being said, will Richardson be the Richardson-of-old, or a player who's a bit rusty having not played football since the preseason?
Prediction
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The New York Jets, on paper, are the better team. They’ve got the better defense, the better offense and, yes, even a better quarterback. There’s no reason this game shouldn’t be a three-score victory for New York.
But that can be said about just about every game the Washington Redskins have played this year. Still, the team always seams to hang around.
Tough, feisty...the adjectives used to describe the Redskins aren’t the sexy ones, but that’s because the team hasn’t been playing bad—or all that great. Washington’s turned to an old-school style of football this year that many in the NFL have forgotten: solid defense, pound the rock. The result? An average margin of victory of 8.2 in Redskins games (wins and losses) this year.
Expect this game to be a bit closer than maybe it should be, but New York will still pull it out. An interception or turnover by Cousins will ice Washington’s last real chance in the fourth quarter.
Jets 23, Redskins 16
Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for The Journal Inquirer and Scout.com. All quotes and advanced stats referenced and used 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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