Game Preview: Jets at Redskins
August 15, 2018
by Steve Thomas
Photo: Jamual Forrest
Suffice to say that this week the Redskins ran every red light and drove right through the drama-free zone, then careened recklessly through a concrete barrier onto the “drama and chaos” expressway. In other words, after a long, fairly boring offseason by Washington standards, we’re finally home, so kick back, have a drink of your choice (Sunkist for me, please), and enjoy the show. Coming on the heels of the devastating loss of rookie running back Derrius Guice for the season, the New York Jets casually strolled into town for three days of practices, and the two teams immediately became embroiled in national-news making fights, screaming matches, taunting, and fake punches. Honestly, it wasn’t our team’s proudest moment, but we’re used to a bit of shame at this point, right? As far as the actual game Thursday night, I shudder to think what might happen, live on ESPN, no less. It’s about as entertaining as a preseason game can get, so park yourself on the couch and have fun.
Game time & location: Thursday, August 18, 8:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Landover, MD; Gates open 6:00 p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 3:00 p.m.; all other parking lots 4:00 p.m.
Television: ESPN
Television announcers: Joe Tessitore/Jason Witten/Lisa Salters/Booger McFarland
Television replay: NFL Network, Friday, August 17, 10 am ET
DC-area radio: ESPN 980
Redskins radio network: http://www.redskins.com/media-gallery/radio-network.html
Jets radio network: https://www.newyorkjets.com/tune-in/radio-information
Satellite radio: XM: 229 (Redskins broad.); Sirius: 205 (Redskins broad.); internet: 831 (Redskins broad.)
Redskins roster: http://www.thehogsty.com/hog-sty-projects/roster/
Redskins depth chart: https://www.redskins.com/team/depth-chart
Jets roster: https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/
Jets depth chart: https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/depth-chart
What to Watch For
The remodeling of the running game
There’s no sense in dwelling on what might have been for the team’s prized rookie, now on injured reserve, but in the meantime, his role needs to be filled. Now, whether the run game can develop some semblance of high performance and consistency is a major question going into the season. One of Rob Kelley, Samaje Perine, or even Kapri Bibbs or Byron Marshall showing enough to become the lead back, or whether the Redskins will be forced to go to a committee approach, looms large over the next 3 games, and is something fans should watch closely.
The Alex Smith era begins, for real this time
Honestly, I expected Smith to at least play a series or two last week against the Patriots, but what’s done is done. He’s for sure going to get into the Jets game, though, and we need to see solid, quality offense. Keep a close eye on whether the first string offense can move the ball and score points on the Jets without looking like they haven’t played football in 8 months. Starting this season strong is going to be key to a good season, and it starts now.
The performance of the revamped defensive line
If you’re a Redskins fan and aren’t excited about the possibilities of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the same field, you must be unconscious. Payne may or may not actually play this week given his injury, and Matt Ioannidis will almost assuredly be out as well, but I nonetheless have high expectations for this group as they go against a poor offense led by a rookie quarterback. Watch for domination.
The continued breakthrough of the young corners
Danny Johnson and Greg Stroman each had their coming out parties last week against the Patriots, and the team responded by releasing veteran Orlando Scandrick on Tuesday (yes, I know there was more to it than that). The simple fact is that one or two of these young corners will have to step up and perform in the regular season, out of necessity – there just aren’t any veterans behind starters Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar. Even slot corner Fabian Moreau really hasn’t played much. Finding a young backup or two who is ready to play at a fairly high level immediately between Adonis Alexander, Stroman, Johnson, and the rest is critical, and it’s a battle you should watch.
Josh Doctson – is he for real?
Doctson at times looked unstoppable during training camp, and the Redskins will need him to grow into the #1 receiver option pretty quickly. He needs to have a good game against a Jets secondary that does have talent, but is one that a good passing offense should be able to do well against.
Health….enough said
The team just doesn’t need more injury nonsense. Go away and leave us alone, Grim Reaper.