New York Jets vs. Washington Redskins, 8-16-18: In-game report
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A few position battles took shape as the Jets and Redskins traded field goals in Thursday night’s preseason game at FedEx Field. Draftnasty’s Troy Jefferson gives you his takeaways from the Redskins 15-13 victory.
Redskins running back search
Second-round pick Derrius Guice was lost for the season last weekend against the Patriots. Washington came into the game with Samaje Perine, Robert Kelley and Byron Marshall fighting for the starting role. However, Perine and Marshall both went down to injuries in the first half after combining for just three carries. Kelley, while he didn’t get injured, didn’t fare much better. He finished with 17 yards on seven touches, which isn’t all his fault. The Redskins offensive line didn’t include Pro Bowl OT Trent Williams and struggled all game to create any meaningful gaps for the Washington tailbacks. Martez Carter enjoyed the best game out of the bunch, totaling 45 yards on seven carries. Carter showed tremendous vision and quick feet as he used cutbacks to find holes behind the Redskins offensive line.
Kapri Bibbs also flashed potential as a receiving option out of the backfield, catching seven passes for 47 yards. One thing is for certain: Washington still has a lot of evaluating left to do before they find a new starting running back.
Update: The Redskins recently signed seven-time Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson to a one-year deal.
Jets quarterback race
Rookie first round pick Sam Darnold started the game and like last week showed a command of the offense early on. The Jets gave Darnold a steady diet of short passes and handoffs. However, on his final drive of the night, Darnold threw an interception on 4th and 1 after a ball was batted by a Redskins cornerback and picked off by rookie safety Troy Apke. The rookie from USC finished 8-of-11 for 62 yards and the interception. Teddy Bridgewater played the second half and showed his elusiveness in the pocket. On his first attempt, Bridgewater fled the pocket and found his receiver for a first down after the play broke down. On the following plays, Bridgewater completed a pass off a bootleg, sidestepped a free rusher for a first down over the middle and then threw a touchdown in the corner of the end zone.
However on the next drive, Bridgewater underthrew a pass to the inside shoulder of one his receivers and it was intercepted. Bridgewater finished 10-of-15 for 127 yards and threw one touchdown and one interception. Both quarterbacks had their bright moments on Thursday night. As of right now Darnold may have a slight edge but the competition is far from over.
Redskins secondary
The Redskins released veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick earlier in the week, which was a signal Jay Gruden believed in his young defensive backs. Against the Jets, the defensive backs looked solid.
Cornerback Quinton Dunbar, a converted wide receiver, was rarely tested and showed fluid hips and tight coverage throughout his outing. Both the first team and second team defenses also held up in coverage for several seconds; allowing Washington to force two coverage sacks. Cornerback Deshazor Everett tipped Sam Darnold’s pass, which was later intercepted by safety Troy Apke. Cornerback Prince Charles Iworah also came down with an interception on a ball that was underthrown by Bridgewater. The Redskins should be encouraged by several defensive backs who contributed against the Jets.
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