Redskins offense vs. Jets defense

	REDSKINS OFFENSE
	Rank in the NFL:
	Run	5
	Pass	4
	Tot. Yds.	1
	Scoring	1
	Int's allowed	30
	Sacks allowed	27
	JETS DEFENSE
	Rank in the NFL:
	vs. Run	27
	vs. Pass	21
	Total yds. allowed	26
	Ints.	21
	Sacks	25
	Turnover differential	-3

It is difficult to look at the Redskins depth chart and explain how it is that they racked up 50 points and almost 400 net yards last week against the New York Giants. When a team gets off to a start like this, a lot of credit has to be given to the offensive line and the coaching staff. This is an offensive front without much big-name talent, but you have a corps of tough veterans surrounding rookie RT Jon Janson, and the entire unit is playing in sync, picking up each other's assignments and finishing blocks with some attitude.

It also helps that Stephen Davis is running like a man possessed. Davis is the benefactor of a passing game that has backed defenses off and has committed no turnovers in the first two games. QB Brad Johnson has done a remarkable job of taking care of the football and taking advantage of open receivers, which subsequently allows for more rushing attempts and creates more running lanes to attack.

The Jets are going to have their hands full again on Sunday when the Redskins come into town. New York did not produce much of a swell in the trenches last Sunday night against the Bills, which forced the linbacking corps to do a lot more shedding of downfield blockers and make plays without a clear shot at the ball carrier. The Jets need to get better play out of their defensive front.

The defensive line runs a very well designed two-gap shade scheme that is intended to spotlight the athletic linebacking corps. Washington will look to nuetralize the scheme by down-blocking the NT Ernie Logan and using the uncovered guard and blocking fullback to get out and chip the ILBs. The key to this matchup is how quick the guard and fullback are to get to the linebacker, and how effective they are when they reach Marvin Jones and Bryan Cox.

Brad Johnson has completely changed the face of the Redskins offense. He's athletic enough to escape trouble and create second opportunities, but he's also efficient enough where defenses are not able to gamble as much for fear that the Redskins receivers will exploit the single-man coverage.

Defensive coordinator Bill Belichick is faced with the formidable task of generating sufficient pressure on Johnson without deserting his secondary in coverage. Belichick is the master of finding holes in offensive lines and attacking them until they burst and become completely exposed.

In the Jet's 3-4 defensive set, OLBs Mo Lewis and James Farrior act almost as defensive ends, lining up wide and firing upfiel. In most passing situations the Jets have what amounts to five men fronts and on occasion will bring one of the inside linebackers or SS Steve Atwater to attack the middle of the line and force a running back to pick up the blitz.

The key to neutralizing this defensive scheme and to force Belichick to gamble less is to take advantage of the man-to-man coverage with your receivers. Washington has a distinct advantage, at least when it comes to size, when matching up WRs Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell against CBs Aaron Glenn and Ray Mickens. The Redskin receivers will play a physical game Sunday and work to get their body in position on slants and fade routes to take advantage of the size difference. This will force the Jets to use more cover two, which will force the safeties to play off the line of scrimmage.

Jets offense vs. Redskins defense

	JETS OFFENSE
	Rank in the NFL:
	Run	18
	Pass	21
	Tot. Yds.	20
	Scoring	22
	Int's allowed	12
	Sacks allowed	10
	REDSKINS DEFENSE
	Rank in the NFL:
	vs. Run	24
	vs. Pass	29
	Total yds. allowed	30
	Ints.	1
	Sacks	23
	Turnover differential	+1

The Jets offense is not as bad off as it showed last Sunday night. Of course, this is not the same unit that was projected to be on the field come Week 3, but there is still a chance to put some points on the board.

As seen against the Bills last week, defenses are going to attack the Jets and dare them to throw the football. What this does is make it hard for the offense to establish a running game. The Redskins will stack eight men in the box and blitz the Jets from every angle possible to make sure that QB Rick Mirer doesn't have a chance to settle in. Knowing this, offenses usually put in an extensive blitz package that includes a lot of quick-hit crossing and slant routes.

What gets lost in the equation is the run game. Because the defense has the number advantage in the "box" and are already intent on upfield pressure, it leaves little room to run and almost never a quality run lane to attack. Nine attempts for Curtis Martin is not going to get it done. Parcells will assuredly go back to the film and realize that in order to protect Mirer and give the offense a chance to put points on the board, Martin will have to carry the ball more than 20 times on Sunday.

The Redskins welcome the challenge of stopping the run, especially with Mirer under center. DTs Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield have not impressed many people with their statistics, but the truth is that the two overpaid underproductive flops in '98 are now the reason for the Redskins' dramatic turnaround defensively. The two tackles are most productive when the average fan notices them the least, taking up space in the middle and freeing up the linebackers to make plays against the run. The matchup to watch in the trenches will be the rookie OGs Kerry Jenkins and Randy Thomas trying to hold their ground and redirect the massive Redskins defensive tackles.

The Bills held QB Mirer in check, but there were some promising signs for Jet fans. Mirer still has a long way to go in learning the offense, but he seems confident and was not rattled in his debut. Also, without WR Wayne Chrebet and TE Eric Green, Mirer had a very average receiving corps to work with. The problem for the Jets is that defensive coordinators around the league realize the weakness and are going to bring the house at Mirer until the Jets devise a way to counter the pressure.

The Redskins have an extra advantage because of its cornerback situation. Rookie Champ Bailey, who has adjusted to the speed of the NFL and has the skills to cover most receivers in the league despite his size, teams up with veteran Darrell Green to form one of the top corner tandems in the league. Bailey will line up in man-to-man coverage on Dedric Ward and should be able to shut the vertical receiver down because he matches up in speed and doesn't give up much size.

On the other side, Green will play press coverage on Johnson, taking away the underneath with the understanding that if he gets beat deep the coverage will be rolled to his side and he will get support from his free safety Leomont Evans. This frees up the front seven, and even SS Sam Shade on occasion, to get after Mirer without the fear of putting its secondary in a compromising situation.

Special teams

	NFL RANK
	Category	WAS	NYJ
	Punt return avg.	5	15
	Kickoff return avg.	18	15
	Opp. punt return avg.	6	26
	Opp. kickoff ret. avg.	21	25
	Time of possession	14	22

Jeff Hall was one-for-one on the night (31 yards) Sunday and provided the Jets with their only points of the game. P Tom Tupa continues to be a huge acquisition for the Jets as he averaged 48.8-yards per punt and pinned the Bills inside the 20 in his only opportunity.

The kicking game failed theREdskins again when Brett Conway had an extra point attempt blocked. Coverage on kickoffs was poor and Matt Turk did not punt well again. The only solace the team can take is that Conway is kicking well, when he has a chance to get the kick away. The Redskin punt return coverage was excellent, holding the Giants to 8 yards on two attempts.

Key matchups