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  GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 1:00pm ET
Washington (1-1-0) at NY Jets (0-2-0)
 
  Records
TEAM W L T PF PA HOME ROAD NFC AFC DIV STREAK
Washington 1 1 0 85 62 0-1 1-0 1-1 0-0 1-1 Won 1
NY Jets 0 2 0 31 47 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-2 0-2 Lost 2


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ The Washington Redskins just might want to move into Giants Stadium permanently if they can stage a repeat against the New York Jets of what they did to the New York Giants.

Sagging and fighting off self-doubt after a devastating loss in their opener, the Redskins marched into the Meadowlands and marched through the Giants 50-21 last weekend. Now riding a wave of confidence and the most potent offense in the NFL, the Redskins return to play the Jets _ who themselves are sagging and fighting off self-doubt.

For Washington, a collapse against Dallas in the fourth quarter of the first game has been forgotten. Half a hundred points against a team that usually beats you is a great boost.

"We had to keep our focus and get ready for the Giants," coach Norv Turner said. "And we went up there and played very well against them and that was good for our team.

"People get caught up in the number of points. That's one of the things I talked to our team about, to make sure they concentrate on their positions when they watch film, because there were times in the game we made big things happen and still there were guys who were not executing at the level we wanted."

It's difficult to believe the Redskins can execute any better anywhere on offense. Brad Johnson is the league's top-rated quarterback (125.9 rating, 40-for-61 for 613 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions). Stephen Davis has rushed for a league-high 235 yards and five TDs and also has a 2-point conversion. Michael Westbrook is averaging 24.2 yards a catch and has two TDs, while Albert Connell is just behind with a 20.8 average. Tight end Stephen Alexander also had two scoring receptions, and the offensive line has been staunch.

"Offensively, we're powerful right now," fullback Larry Centers said. "Norv is like a little boy walking a big dog. He just has to hang on and let us go at it."

Contrast that with the floundering Jets, who have lost five starters and supersub Leon Johnson to injuries in their 0-2 start. They claim they aren't losing faith, but even coach Bill Parcells admits it's hard not to have some doubts.

"I think we certainly need to try to concentrate on some of the things that haven't gone well for us. I am hopeful we can do that better," Parcells said. "I'll make every effort to have my team in as good a physical condition and mental condition as I can for this game.

"Yes, I think it is something without question (that needs to be addressed)," he added of the nagging disbelief that can surface. "Until you win, you will have a lot of doubts. It would be good if we can just win a game, it might help a lot of things."

The Jets started 0-2 last season, but then Vinny Testaverde came on to help turn things around and lead them to the AFC title game. But Testaverde is gone with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, and unproven backup Rick Mirer doesn't have star receiver Wayne Chrebet or Johnson to help him. He also might not have tight end Eric Green, questionable with a neck injury.

To a man, the Jets claim their faith hasn't been shaken. But with a weakened offense and a defense that can't stop opponents on third downs, their ability to deal with the Redskins is highly questionable.

"I don't think there is any self-doubt," linebacker Roman Phifer said. "Obviously we are 0-2, but I think we've just got to pull together and take in on ourselves to do this. We are the only ones who can change this."

For inspiration, they might want to look across the field at the Skins. If any team had a right to be crushed by its opening-week defeat, it was Washington, which was up by 21 points entering the fourth quarter and fell in overtime to Dallas. Criticism of Turner grew deafening.

Then the Redskins romped over, around and through the Giants.

"I don't know if there is such a thing as peace of mind in this business," Turner said. "It's a week to week situation. Last week was not a lot of fun after we lost to Dallas. This week, people were saying a lot of nice things. We'll see what they're saying next week."

WASHINGTON
Season schedule and results
NY JETS
Season schedule and results
September 12 Dallas L 35-41
September 19 @NY Giants W 50-21
September 26 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET
October 3 Carolina 4:05pm ET
October 17 @Arizona 8:20pm ET
October 24 @Dallas 1:00pm ET
October 31 Chicago 1:00pm ET
November 7 Buffalo 1:00pm ET
November 14 @Philadelphia 1:00pm ET
November 21 NY Giants 4:15pm ET
November 28 Philadelphia 1:00pm ET
December 5 @Detroit 1:00pm ET
December 12 Arizona 1:00pm ET
December 19 @Indianapolis 1:00pm ET
December 26 @San Francisco 8:20pm ET
January 2 Miami 4:15pm ET
September 12 New England L 28-30
September 19 @Buffalo L 3-17
September 26 Washington 1:00pm ET
October 3 @Denver 4:15pm ET
October 11 Jacksonville 9:00pm ET
October 17 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET
October 24 @Oakland 4:15pm ET
November 7 Arizona 1:00pm ET
November 15 @New England 9:00pm ET
November 21 Buffalo 1:00pm ET
November 28 @Indianapolis 4:15pm ET
December 5 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET
December 12 Miami 4:05pm ET
December 19 @Dallas 4:15pm ET
December 27 @Miami 9:00pm ET
January 2 Seattle 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.

 


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NY Jets Clubhouse



War Room preview: Redskins at Jets

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