Washington Redskins vs. New York Jets: What's the Game Plan for Washington?

Against a high-powered Atlanta Falcons offense in Week 5, the defense of the Washington Redskins answered the bell.

It kept Matt Ryan from finding the end zone and intercepted two passes. The Falcons averaged 34.3 points per game entering Week 5, they but needed overtime and a defensive touchdown just to cross the 20-point barrier. 

With the New York Jets and their No. 1 overall defense next on the docket, Washington now needs its offense to rise to the occasion.

But will Kirk Cousins and company deliver? On the heels of forcing three turnovers, can the Redskins defense turn over the Jets and set up the offense for success?

Let's find out. 

Offensive Game Plan

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The first order of business for Washington? Finding a way to reinvigorate its running game. Coinciding with Shawn Lauvao's season-ending injury in Week 3, the team's rushing attack has faltered after a hot start.

Through the first two games of the season, the Redskins averaged 171.5 yards per game. Their average has since fallen to 88.6 yards per contest the past three weeks.

With the running game faltering, Cousins predictably has been forced to pick up more of the offensive slack. The result has been poor ball security—surprise, surprise. He has three touchdowns to four interceptions during the 1-2 stretch.

On average, he's throwing the football over 42 times a game. Against the Jets' vaunted secondary, such a strategy won't fly.

True, New York is stout along the defensive line. Led by rookie Leonard Williams and Muhammed Wilkerson, it sports the NFL's second-ranked run defense. And this was without Sheldon Richardson, who returns from suspension this week.

This isn't to say the Jets run defense is impenetrable, though. According to Football Outsiders, the team has been vulnerable to runs toward the left side of its defense. Opposing offenses are averaging over 4.0 yards per carry on runs behind the right side of the offensive line.

Washington is averaging just 2.4 yards per carry on runs behind Morgan Moses and Brandon Scherff, per ESPN.com. But in light of the injuries to Lauvao, Trent Williams and Kory Lichtensteiger, the duo could very well be the most reliable lineman in the starting lineup come game time.

With New York surrendering 3.3 yards before contact on runs to the outside, Chris Thompson and Matt Jones—if he plays—should see the bulk of the carries because of their ability to turn the corner.

In the passing game, it'll be important for the Skins to have a heavy dosage of play-action fakes and screens. 

Jets head coach Todd Bowles is notorious for blitzing the quarterback. According to ESPN, as Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press (h/t Washington Times) relayed, Bowles had defensive backs blitz 22 times against the Miami Dolphins.

By utilizing screen passes, Washington could deter Bowles from implementing a similar strategy this week.

Defensive Game Plan

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Despite owning one of the best run defenses in the league entering Week 5, Washington was taken to the woodshed by the Falcons. 

Atlanta averaged 5.5 yards a carry in route to churning out 176 yards on the ground. 

Next up, Chris Ivory.

Ivory leads the NFL in rushing yards per game (104.7). According to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, he leads the league in yards after contact per rush (2.94), as well. 

To slow him down, Redskins defenders will have to rally to the football. Struggling to get off blocks and fatigued from playing 77 defensive snaps, defenders were left on an island with Freeman on too many occasions in Week 5.

And well, we saw how that ended for Washington (153 yards for Freeman). The use of run blitzes would aid the team's cause. Ultimately, though, Ivory's production will be tied to the defense's ability to tackle.

Moving to the pass defense, the Redskins pass rush (for once) isn't the key this week. With his history, it's to the defense's benefit that Ryan Fitzpatrick be allowed to throw. He has 107 interceptions in 100 career games. 

Keen on getting the ball out quickly, Fitzpatrick won't look to make plays down the field. He averages 6.3 yards per attempt, a stat only three qualified passers can't top.

Keeping this in mind, it'll be important for Redskins defensive backs to play up on New York receivers. In doing so, the defense can force Fitzpatrick out his comfort zone and look to capitalize on his errant throws downfield.

Key Players and Matchups

Bashaud Breeland vs. WR Brandon Marshall

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Now that Washington has ruled Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall out, Bashaud Breeland will be tasked with covering Brandon Marshall.

By a long shot, Marshall has been Fitzpatrick's favorite receiver in 2015. Combined, Eric Decker and Bilal Powell (the second- and third-leading receivers) have 37 targets to Marshall's 45. 

Being that Marshall isn't a threat to run past Breeland, the key to containing Marshall will be his ability to make tackles in the open field.

WR Jamison Crowder vs. CB Buster Skrine

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Pierre Garcon hasn't been overly productive in DeSean Jackson's absence. Against Darrelle Revis, this isn't likely to change.

Down Jordan Reed, Cousins will have to look in Jamison Crowder's direction to find a favorable matchup.

As his playing time has increased, so has Crowder's production.

Crowder had all of two catches in Weeks 1 and 2. Since then, he's tallied 21 receptions and 197 yards, with his reception and yardage total increasing each game. 

Against Buster Skrine, Crowder will have a chance to continue his hot streak. Teams have found success attacking New York defensive backs not named Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

Per Football Outsiders, the Jets are 18th in the NFL defending secondary wideouts, allowing 8.5 receptions and 98.2 yards per game. 

A dynamic threat after the catch, Crowder is also good safety net for Cousins against the blitz.

Prediction

On paper, these are two evenly matched teams.

Wait, nevermind, that's if you ignore the injury report. Head coach Jay Gruden said it best, per ESPN's John Keim, Washington's "got a heck of a team not playing." 

Reed, Lichtensteiger, Williams, Culliver and Hall have already been ruled out for this contest. The playing statuses of Stephen Paea, Matt Jones and Jackson are also up in the air.

Against a rested Jets team, the Redskins are in a tough spot here. At full capacity, they're a team that struggles to score (19.4 points per game).

Opposed by an elite defense, Washington's chances of changing this reality were already slim. Down so many key pieces on offense, it's next to impossible now.

With its defense also wounded, the team isn't in the best position to capitalize on the turnover-prone Fitzpatrick either.

New York won't run away with this one because it too sports a lackluster offense. But being that its offense is backed by a ball-hawking defense (13 takeaways), the Jets will exit this contest victorious.

Prediction: Jets 20, Redskins 10

Injury statuses courtesy of ESPN.com and CBSSports.com.