Jets vs. Redskins: 5 Things We Learned in Washington's 34-19 Defeat

The Washington Redskins succumbed late against the New York Jets and ultimately surrendered a hard-fought contest in the fourth quarter.

Both defenses performed admirably, with the Jets unit producing its signature opportunistic display and delivering plenty of big plays. The Redskins defense wasn't as spectacular, but was extremely tight and uncompromising.

The offense started brightly but soon reverted to type. Under intense pressure from the Jets defense, Rex Grossman and company were again guilty of too many mental errors and costly turnovers.

The sterling play of the defense and special teams kept Washington in the game and pushed Rex Ryan's team all the way.

Here are five lessons learned from the Redskins tough defeat.

5. Roy Helu Has the Potential to Be an Elite Runner

Roy Helu followed up his breakout showing against the Seattle Seahawks last week with a promising and solid performance against the Jets aggressive defensive front.

Helu began the game in spectacular fashion, showcasing his vision and speed through the hole to produce some big gains.

Perhaps most impressive was Helu's toughness at the point of contact. The rookie rusher showed some good power and determination to fight for extra yards after the first hit.

A third quarter fumble and the Redskins baffling decision to take the game out of his hands, meant that Helu wasn't quite able to match his heroics from a week ago.

But Helu still manged to provide enough of an indication that the Redskins are blessed with a budding young star in the backfield.

4. Coaches Must Keep the Ball in the Hands of Their Playmakers

The Redskins' offensive coaches have to start doing a better job of keeping the ball in the hands of the unit's playmakers.

Both Helu and the brilliant Fred Davis began the game in fine form. But for reasons beyond understanding, their number of touches were severely reduced after the opening quarter.

Some credit suddenly belongs to the Jets who relied on a combination of smart adjustments and natural defensive talent to reduce the impact of Washington's most potent weapons.

But this is not the first time this season that the Redskins have been guilty of moving away too quickly from what is working.

Mixture is an important feature of any gameplan and balance is the ultimate goal of most offensive coordinators. But Kyle Shanahan must find ways to maximize the productivity of his best talents for four quarters.

3. The Defense Has to Come Up with More Big Plays to Eliminate Long Drives

A legitimate criticism of the Redskins defense is that the unit often surrenders too many long drives. Washington's defense doesn't always manage to find the big play or turnover to signal the end of these lengthy possessions.

This inevitably increases the already considerable pressure and wear and tear on the unit. The problem was especially highlighted when the Jets were allowed to answer the Redskins opening score with a mammoth, 17-play drive to tie.

Kevin Barnes' failure to bring down Mark Sanchez for the sack on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter offered a prime example of how the defense struggles to come up big in clutch situations.

More turnovers and tackles for loss would get the defense off the field quicker and improve the field position for the unreliable offense.

2. Perry Riley Is Beginning to Flourish as a Starter

Second-year pro Perry Riley continues to look like a natural fit to play inside in the 3-4 defense. The former LSU prodigy is becoming an aggressive and resourceful contributor.

Riley showcased a nose for the ball by recovering a crucial fumble on special teams which led to three vital points just before halftime.

He also demonstrated his athleticism and ability to diagnose plays with some well-timed stops, including a big third down tackle on Shonn Greene in the open field.

Riley's increasingly assured performances have helped improve the balance of the Redskins linebacking corps.

1. The Run Defense Continues to Let the Unit Down

The Redskins weakness against the run has been the bane of the defense all season. Despite a surprisingly strong effort for most of the game, big runs were still yielded at important moments.

Shonn Greene started off well, but the Washington's defense gradually began to reduce his effectiveness. The Redskins kept Greene contained, holding him to to 88-yards on 22 carries.

The problem was that he still managed to rush for three touchdowns. At crucial times the bruising runner was able to get the tough yards.

Greene's 25-yarder to cap the game, exposed the Redskins soft center once again and showed that the defense still has plenty of work to do in this area.

The unit must become aggressive at the point of contact and stouter in the middle so they can do a better job of pushing blockers back and forcing runners sideways.

Brief Momentum Stopped

The Redskins brief momentum has been stopped in its tracks. The positive showing against the Dallas Cowboys, combined with the win over the Seahawks, had created optimism that the Redskins could be primed for a strong finish.

But the problems which have plagued them all season continued to surface and eventually led to their final quarter collapse against the playoff-chasing Jets.

Mental errors and a lack of discipline continue to undermine the offense. The defense must find ways to come up with a stand when it matters the most.

Things don't get any easier with the New England Patriots visiting FedEx Field next Sunday. Mike Shanahan must ensure that these basic mistakes are eradicated if the Redskins are going to stand a chance.