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Fishing for intelligence at Hog's Haven has taught me two things: The Redskins faithful think Rex Grossman is infinitely better than Mark Sanchez, and the entire Redskins institution from the staff all the way down to the fans are aware of the Jets difficulties covering tight end's. My freaking grandmother thinks Fred Davis is gonna torch us.
This is another match-up we should win on paper that I see the team struggling mightily with. Favoring and simulations have the Jets winning the healthy majority of match ups. The Redskins and Jets are ranked very similarly on both sides of the ball, and there's something intriguing, almost paradoxical about a Grossman Sanchez shootout (I know, I'm using the term loosely). The Skins are almost as awful at home as we are on the road. Both teams have above average defenses and underperforming offenses.
There will be a full breakdown after the Rundown and the jump. Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments, predictions, etc. about the game below.
The Rundown:
New York Jets @ Washington Redskins -- Sunday, Dec. 4th, 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Fedex Field, Landover, MD.
Coverage: CBS. DirecTV 704. Sirius XM 106.
Record: Redskins lead the relatively short lifetime series convincingly, at 8-1. Jets are struggling to stay alive and Redskins have lost the last 6 straight games.
What happened last time? Jets lost in overtime to the Redskins in 2007, 23-20.
Injury report:
Jets Out: Mike Devito (DT) Knee.
Redskins Out: LaRon Landry (S) Groin. Questionable: Darrel Young (RB) Head, Terrence Austin (WR) Hamstring, Stephen Bowen (DE)Knee, London Fletcher (LB) Ankle.
Rankings
Offense: The Jets are 24th in overall offense, 15th in points, 21st in passing and 24th in rushing. Washington is 19th in yards, 27th in points, 14th passing and 31st in rushing.
Defense: The Jets are 17th in points allowed, 8th in overall yards, 7th against the pass, and 16th against the rush (notice the upward trend in run defense every single week). Washington is 10th in points allowed and passing yards allowed, 11th in total defense and 18th against the run.
Sanchez and Grossman by the numbers:
Mark Sanchez started 11 games completing 210 out of 373 for a 56.3 completion percentage, netting 18 TD's and 11 interceptions on 2,513 yards and a 80.9 passer rating. Sanchez was sacked 25 times for 152 yards lost. Sanchez rushed 25 times for 80 yards and three additional TD's. Sanchez has lost 5 fumbles. His team is 6-5.
Rex Grossman started 8 games this season (health issues and sharing time with John Beck) completing 164 passes out of 270 for a 60.7 completion percentage, netting 10 TD's to 14 interceptions and 1,953 yards and a 73.6 passer rating. He has been sacked 16 times for 131 yards lost. Grossman rushed 18 times for 12 yards and a touchdown (.7 yards per attempt). Grossman has lost 2 fumbles.
This is like comparing a Hyundai and a KIA in terms of ability to get chicks and mechanical reliability. Sorry, Redskins fans, Grossman is about as exciting as a brick on heavy sedatives. Sanchez is healthier, has produced more through the air and ground, and turned the ball over less for a higher rating. In any event, the above average defense and underperforming rushing offense of both teams makes Rex my Washington Redskin to Watch, and Sanchez my Jets X-factor.
Potential Jets MVP: Nick Folk
This is pretty much a testament to my lack of faith in the Jets offense to drive down the field. A scoring race is much more likely between Folk and Graham Gano than Sanchez and Grossman.
Prediction: Jets 20 Redskins 13
Even 20 is a bit of a stretch. I think this will be a low scoring affair. Whichever team makes the less dumb mistakes will probably take the day.