The New York Jets made it two wins in a row, as they defeated the Washington Redskins, 34-17, and improved to 3-7. QB Sam Darnold threw career high four touchdown passes leading the offense that gained 400 total yards for the first time this season. S Jamal Adams had another huge game, recording 3.0 sacks, as the defense limited Washington to only 54 rushing yards.
Once again the Jets scored on the opening drive, as Darnold sliced through the Redskins’ defense and connected with TE Daniel Brown on a 20-yard score. The Jets extended their lead early in the second quarter when Darnold found WR Robby Anderson in the end zone. Then, in the last two minutes of the first half, Darnold orchestrated one of the most impressive drives of his short NFL career. It took just three plays to move the ball 82 yards down the field and extend the lead to 20-3 with a touchdown pass to TE Ryan Griffin.
Ryan Griffin continued to impress. He led the team with 5 receptions for 109 yards (career high). WR Jamison Crowder, who was especially fired up playing against his former team, had 5 catches for 76 yards, 1 TD. Although the Jets gained 115 yards on the ground, they averaged only 3.5 yards/carry, as the offensive line continued to struggle run blocking. RB Le’Veon Bell had 59 yards on 18 carries, 1 TD. His involvement in the passing game was pretty minimal – only two catches for 33 yards.
The defense dominated rookie QB Dwayne Haskins. They recorded 6 sacks for the second week in a row but did give up a couple of big plays late in the game. NT Nathan Shepherd recorded a sack for the second week in a row. DE Henry Anderson, who led the Jets with 7.0 sacks last season, finally opened his sack count this season.
For the first time under head coach Adam Gase the Jets actually dominated the game from start to finish. Even though it was only the Redskins, the second worst team in the league, such a win is still a nice confidence builder.
Next game against the Oakland Raiders (6-4) will be more of an indicator whether the Jets have really improved. It will be the first game against an opponent with a winning record since the game versus the Pats in Week 7, arguably the Gang Green’s worst showing of the season.