The terrible New York Jets are set to face off against an even worse Washington Redskins team in a Week 11 matchup.
It’s been four years since the Jets last played the Redskins. In 2015, the Jets trounced the Redskins 34-20 in a game that saw Ryan Fitzpatrick throw two TDs and run for another one.
The Redskins are 8-3 all-time against the Jets, however, the Jets have won the last two matchups between the teams. The Jets are 2-1 this season against the NFC East, while the Redskins are 1-2 against the AFC East.
Injuries
The Redskins are dealing with a few injuries this week. The Redskins will be without starting WR Paul Richardson, starting TE Vernon Davis, RB Chris Thompson, and DL Tim Settle.
Two other Redskins are questionable for the game. Starting SS Montae Nicholson, and S/CB Deshazor Everett are both game-time decisions. Both were limited in practice on Friday.
The Redskins are also going to miss a number of key starters who have ended up on injured reserve at some point this season. TE Jordan Reed, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, ILB Reuben Foster, and QB Alex Smith will all be absent from this game.
Offense
The Redskins offense starts with the QB position. Alex Smith broke his leg in horrific fashion last season, and won’t play this season. That has limited what the Redskins offense has been able to do.
They began the year with Case Keenum at QB, and he was able to find a quick connection with rookie WR Terry McLaurin. McLaurin is on pace for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 TDs this season. Despite not winning many games the Redskins offense was at least serviceable with Keenum and Adrian Peterson leading the charge.
That hasn’t been the case in recent weeks. Since the Redskins fired head coach Jay Gruden the offense has sputtered. In the four weeks since the move, the Redskins have scored just two TDs, and are averaging just 8.75 points per game.
The Redskins are hoping that rookie QB Dwayne Haskins is going to be able to help them right the ship. He made his first career start last week and threw for 144 yards, 0 TDs, and 0 INTs. He did complete 68.8% of his passes, though the offense only mustered nine points.
The Redskins offense has relied upon their running game. Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice are likely to feature heavily against the Jets. Peterson ran for 108 yards against the Bill last week and Guice will be playing in his first game this season.
Overall the Redskins offense is 29th in DVOA, 27th in passing DVOA, and 30th in rush offense DVOA.
Defense
The Redskins defense has stood out this year. Despite poor statistical rankings they have performed well.
The Redskins are 24th in total defense DVOA, 25th in passing defense DVOA, and 19th in run defense DVOA. They are also 21st in scoring defense. However, those numbers are skewed. The Redskins have the lowest time of possession in the NFL. Meaning their defense is out on the field more than any other defense in the league.
That kind of workload makes it incredibly difficult for them to succeed late in games. That’s why the Redskins are 21st in the NFL in fourth-quarter scoring defense.
The Redskins have failed to get to the QB much this year. With only 21 sacks on the year. However, they do have some scary talent on their defensive line. Jonathan Allen has developed into an above-average DT, and Montez Sweat is a first-round rookie edge rusher who has yet to break out.
Sweat, in particular, could wreck the Jets this week. Sweat set the NFL combine record for a 40-yard dash for an edge rusher. The Jets lack athleticism along their offensive line. That could be a disaster for the Jets if they aren’t careful.
However, the biggest name to know on the Redskins defense is Quinton Dunbar. Dunbar is the Redskins number one CB, not Josh Norman. Dunbar has three INTs, five PD, an 84.2 passer rating against (12th in the NFL), and has an 88 PFF grade. If the Jets aren’t careful Dunbar could ruin their passing offense.
This isn’t a scary Redskins defense. It’s more potential than production, but that’s why the Jets need to be careful. If they haven’t done their homework, or don’t have the right game plan this Redskins defense has the potential to ruin their day.