Jets Look to top Reeling Redskins in Battle of Bottom Dwellers

The 2-7 New York Jets head to Washington to take on the 1-8 Redskins as two of the team’s worst offenses clash in a contest that will mean more for their draft position than it will for any hopes of playing in the post-season.  This is a rare opportunity for the Jets and their 30th ranked offense to take on a more inept group than their own as the Redskins are currently ranked 32nd in the NFL.  Where are the key match-ups?  Let’s take a look.

Jets Defensive line vs Redskins Offensive line:

Jets fans have very little to be excited about this season as almost every aspect of the team has collapsed in Adam Gase’s first season at the helm, but one group that has exceeded expectations would have to be their stout defensive line.  With huge contributions from second-year player Folorunso Fatukasi and undrafted free agent Kyle Phillips, joined by Steve McLendon, Henry Anderson, the reborn Nathan Shepherd and emerging rookie Quinnen Williams, this group is dominant up front.

Since firing head coach Jay Gruden earlier this season, interim head coach Bill Callahan is trying to get his group back to respectability on the back of Adrian Peterson.  If the Jets dominate up front the way they did last week when they held Saquan Barkely to 1 yard on 13 carries, they become the key to winning this game.

OLB Jordan Jenkins vs LT Donald Penn

Jenkins picked up a pair of sacks last week, giving him 5 in 7 games, one of which saw him play just 11 snaps, and is a player who has shown improvement every season he’s been in the league.  If the Jets D-line dominates the ‘Skins in the trenches, it could mean some opportunities for Jenkins to get after rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins and add to his impressive sack total.  Penn is a bit long in the tooth at this point in his career and is nowhere near the player he once was.

RG Tom Compton vs DL Matt Ioannidis

Compton will get his first start as a Jet after Brian Winters was placed on IR earlier this week.  Compton has starting experience at guard and tackle from his time with the Vikings. Despite being the number two right guard behind Winters this season, if Compton is healthy, he could be an upgrade as we learned that head coach Adam Gase has been starting Winters all season despite multiple significant injuries.  Ioannidis has given opposing offenses fits along the interior, racking up 12 sacks in his last 23 games, including 4.5 this season.  Meanwhile, the Jets pass blocking has been a disaster this season.

Jets offensive line currently 29th in the NFL in pass blocking efficiency per PFF. They were ranked 14th last season.

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) November 17, 2019

CB Bless Austin vs WR Terry McLaurin

Austin was one of the Jets biggest surprises last week as he held his own in his NFL debut, playing 48 snaps and coming away with a pair of passes defended and no big plays allowed as he covered multiple receivers.  With Darryl Roberts out and Nate Hairston coming off of his worst game as a Jet, look for Austin to get some run, and for the Redskins to look to get the speedy McLaurin involved in the offense.

WR Jamison Crowder vs CB Fabian Moreau

Crowder has become a much bigger part of the Jets offense of late and Moreau is a player he should be able to get open against.  If the Jets come out firing early on, Crowder should see plenty of targets and chances to make more plays.

Prediction:

Jets go on the road and find one of the few teams in the NFL that they’re better than, coming away with a 24-13 victory.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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