Jets vs. Redskins; Meet the Redskins

This Sunday, the New York Jets will travel to Washington D.C. to face the Redskins.  This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2007.  The Redskins have struggled this season.

With a 4-7 record, a victory in Seattle last week snapped a 6 game losing streak.  That means a 3-1 start, turned into a 4-7 finish.   Ranked 14th in the NFL in passing yards and 31st in rushing yards, the Redskins received a spark last week from rookie RB Roy Helu.  The timing couldn’t be better as the Jets pass defense is more than capable of shutting down the Skins.

Let’s meet the Redskins:

Redskins Quarterback Rex Grossman (Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)

QUARTERBACK:  Rex Grossman has the title for now.  After starting the season as QB, head coach Mike Shanahan went to John Beck only to go back to Grossman.  Being the 28th rated passer in the NFL, he hasn’t been the answer with 1,953 passing yards to go along with 10 TDs and 14 INTs.  Much like a certain Jets QB, Grossman has thrown an INT in every game but one, including a 4 INT performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in October and 3 last week against the Seahawks.  If the team had a running game, they would use it.

RUNNING BACK:  Roy Helu has emerged as the back of the day for the Redskins. With a 108 yard performance last week, look for that to continue against the Jets.  Helu became the first Redskins rookie to rush for 100 yards in a game since Ladell Betts in 2002.

TIGHT END:  Fred Davis is having a career year.  With 53 catches for 697 yards, Davis is Grossman’s go to guy.  That means another tough Tight End for Eric Smith and the Jets this week.  Davis has 13 receptions of 20+ yards.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Jabar Gaffney (Fort Worth Star Telegram)

WIDE RECEIVER: Jabar Gaffney (46-665) is coming off two impressive games as he has amassed 12 catches for 187 yards in that span.   Welcome back, Santana Moss.  In addition to facing his former team, Moss returned to action last week after missing 4 games with a broken hand.  He’s fast and quick so Santana may be on Revis Island this week.

DEFENSE: Other than the San Francisco 49ers, the Redskins have allowed the fewest points in the NFC this season.  Through 11 games, they are third in the NFL with 33 sacks, with Rookie LB Ryan Kerrigan leading the way with 6. This is a blitz heavy defense who has rushed 5+ players 43% of the time.  DeAngelo Hall (2 INTs) will be waiting for Mark Sanchez to make a bad throw, as well as Jets head coach Rex Ryan. You may remember during an episode of “Hard Knocks” in 2010, Ryan yelled to Hall during a pre-season game: “Hey, you ain’t gonna tackle nobody. What are you taking about? That’s why my brother got rid of your ass.”

SPECIAL TEAMS:  Kicker Graham Gano is 17-26 on the season.  He has a good strong leg but has struggled with accuracy.  Nothing more frustrating that a missed field goal from a reasonable distance.