Redskins vs Jets: Top 5 players to watch

August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

In the upcoming Redskins vs Jets game, keep an eye on these top players as they will definitely be the difference makers in this Week 6 matchup.

We’re another week into the NFL season here and that means it’s time for the weekly top 5 players to watch in the intriguing match-up between the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

There are so many interesting headlines in this one from the Jets coming off their bye, how will they come out the gates and the return of Sheldon Richardson. So without further ado let’s kick things off with our fifth ranked player to watch out for in this matchup.

Next: 5. This Redskin will have to step it up

Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedEx Field. Washington Redskins won 23 – 20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kirk Cousins

So far this season for the up-and-down Redskins, it seems that whether they’re going to win or they’re going to lose rides on their starting quarterback’s shoulders and this Sunday against the Jets will be no different.

Head Coach Todd Bowles had a few things to say about Cousins during his weekly press conference provided by the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On what he has seen from Kirk Cousins…

He’s poised. He’s a young quarterback still. He learned a lot from last year. He commands the team very well. He knows the offense inside out, reads defenses well, he’s tough, he’s gritty, and he makes big throws when he has to.

On his impressions of Cousins…

I said earlier, he’s a good football player. He’s very smart, he has a strong arm. (He) commands the offense very well. He can make all the throws. He’s gritty, he’s tough and he does a good job for them.

On if he has noticed Cousins locking on to receivers…

No, I haven’t really seen him lock in on receivers. He looks like he makes all the reads to us, so we’re just going to go out and play our game and just try to cover them all.

That’s basically Cousins in a nut shell; he’s a young quarterback whose made some good throws and some bad throws this year which has led to some surprising wins and some bad losses. If the Redskins have a chance on Sunday it’ll have to be mistake free football from Cousins against the stout defense of the Jets.

Next: 4. This workhorse needs another huge day

Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) during first half action against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chris Ivory

The most important cog in this Jets’ offense will need a big day Sunday to have a chance to get another win. Chris Ivory is tied for first in the league in terms of average rushing yards per game (he’s missed 2 weeks with the bye week and sitting another).

This isn’t the same Rex Ryan ground-and-pound team of old; this new Bowles’ led team certainly pounds the rock, but they’re more explosive then any previous Jets’ offense in recent memory. Much of that can be attributed to the new off-season addition of Marshall who’s lightened the box for Ivory and company.

Not crazy, see the stats- Brandon Marshall on Chris Ivory: ‘Best running back in the league’ http://t.co/htVXf9tz7Q

— glennforde (@glennforde) October 15, 2015

Marshall made headlines this week by bestowing Ivory with the title of best running back in the league. Sure there is some bias with them being teammates and all, but Marshall could be onto something. Ivory may not be the best but he’s in the top-10 and rising quickly.

Next: 3. This Jet couldn't have come back at a better time

Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets guard

Willie Colon

on the exercise bike during minicamp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

3. Willie Colon No not the guy you were thinking of? Sorry about that soft tease, but this guy is pretty important too. Brian Winters stepped in and played alright for the circumstances. But having Willie Colon back in the lineup will be huge for the Jets.

#Jets have allowed just 2 sacks, a source of pride for stingy O-line. “Kind of wish we had zero sacks” (from @AP) http://t.co/ZRYiMlE0MQ

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) October 16, 2015

Yes, a phenomenal statistic this year for the Jets that hasn’t gotten a lot of praise but surely the Jets’ offensive line deserves major props. A huge reason the Jets are 3-1 and a major x-factor in the Jets probably being 4-1 after this week.

Next: 2. This Redskin needs to backup his words

Sep 3, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) looks on prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

2. DeSean Jackson

Will the big play receiver finally suit up this season for the Redskins? Bowles tends to think so saying this at his weekly press conference via the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On how big of an impact he thinks DeSean Jackson will have if he plays on Sunday…

We’re counting on him to play. He’s been practicing for two weeks now. I’m pretty sure he’ll come up ready to play. We’re expecting all of their guys to play and then if they don’t play on Sunday, that’s not going to change what we do.

Jackson made headlines in the off-season by calling out the best corners in the game including the Jets very own Darrelle Revis. Revis had no comments when pressed by the media trying to find headline material for the game on Sunday.

There’s no doubt he has a propensity for big plays, he’s done it throughout his entire career. I also foresee him playing Sunday and with Jackson being shadowed by Revis, another interesting matchup will be Pierre Garcon on Antonio Cromartie on the other side of the field who may need extra help over the top just in case.

Next: 1. Oh yes Jets Nation, he's back

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) reacts after being called for a personal foul in the first half against the Cleveland Browns during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sheldon Richardson

Okay the wait is over, the #1 player to watch out for in this game is the much anticipated return of Sheldon Richardson to this defense. There were a lot of questions surrounding how the Jets would fare on defense without perhaps one of their top stars.

Well those questions were quickly answered as the Jets’ defense didn’t miss a beat which had to be a slice of humble pie for Richardson who considers himself one of the best in the game. After serving his mandated four-game suspension, he appears raring and ready to prove himself to the team that drafted him 13th overall just a few years ago.

Here is what Bowles had to say about his return back to the team, directly from the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On what it means to have Sheldon Richardson back…

Anytime you have a good football player, you welcome him back with open arms. 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. It benefits him because he gets to play and do what he loves and loves to do and what he does best. It benefits the defensive line because they have one of their people back. Hopefully as he’s going forward, it benefits the whole team.

There’s been a lot of speculation on how much Richardson will play and what his impact will be, but rest assured he will be out there and he will be making plays for this team. I don’t think Richardson will skip a beat and will immediately be chasing Cousins down for a few big sacks early and often in this game.

Next: NY Jets: Marcus Gilchrist is the true key to the puzzle

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