Washington did not score on offense in the second half.
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Chris Ivory ran for 146 yards and a TD on 20 carries for the Jets, who improved to 4-1 for the first time since the 2010 team opened 5-1.
On a pass from Fitzpatrick to Brandon Marshall, Breeland wrapped up the big wide receiver and simply stole the ball from his grip at the Washington 45-yard line.
Worst accuracy: Cousins was off all day, finishing 25 of 43 for 196 yards and throwing his second pick into double-coverage on Washington’s next drive.
Washington did make a great special teams play on the ensuing drive. But after converting one first down, the punting party would continue. Fortunately, the defense started playing really well.
With just over:40 remaining in the first half, Fitzpatrick threw an interception to Breeland on a pass intended for Marshall down the right sideline that was returned to midfield.
Bowles has said, “We understand that we’ve only played one quarter of the season and all we did was get off to a good start”.
60-Minute Man: After trying things up in the third, the Jets wasted little time taking the lead.
It took the 2014 New York Jets 16 games to get 4 wins. Two plays later, Breeland made another spectacular play. They culminated the scoring possession on Ryan Fitzpatrick’s two-yard dart to Eric Decker. Hopkins knocked in a 30-yarder and the Redskins held another surprising lead at halftime, 13-10.
The second Jets turnover occurred at the 5:02 mark of the second quarter when Marshall fumbled the ball near midfield. On another third-and-1 for the Jets, Terrance Knighton blew up the Ivory rush to force the game tying field goal by Nick Folk. New York is plus-six in turnover margin and its 3.3 takeaways per game are the most in the NFL. On the next play, Fitzpatrick stepped up in the pocket and scrambled 18 yards for a touchdown to give the Jets a 20-13 lead.
The Jets probably would have controlled the game much earlier if not for carelessness with the ball. Cousins unloaded a deep throw into double-coverage probably because he felt like he had nothing to lose. The Jets have the home field advantage today. Two plays after the latter, and the Jets had another touchdown within a minute of the fourth quarter. However, like the offense, they kind of fell apart in the second half, allowing for 24 unanswered points.
If DeSean Jackson returns on Sunday, a favorable matchup won’t be in the cards.
Ivory in Zone Again: Against a formidable defensive front, the Jets knew it would be tough-sledding at times.
The Redskins were unable to cash in, however.
Washington blocked a punt in the end zone and recover it for a touchdown to get within 34-20, but that was purely cosmetic.
Best kicker: Dustin Hopkins nailed both of his field goals, including a a 54-yarder.
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Brandon Marshall, the Jets’ first player with 100-plus receiving yards in three straight games since Al Toon in 1988, has averaged 102.3 yards in three career meetings with the Redskins.
