Depleted Redskins run ragged by Jets in second half of 34-20 defeat
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Version 0 of 1. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a day when the running game was grounded and quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two second-half interceptions, the Washington Redskins found their most valuable offensive asset in cornerback Bashaud Breeland. After coming up with three first-half turnovers to jump-start a sputtering offense, Breeland eventually ran out of the lofty heroics needed to compensate for his team’s misfiring quarterback, stagnant running game and lackluster tackling. The Redskins (2-4) proceeded to squander a three-point halftime lead, surrender 17 unanswered third-quarter points and fall to the New York Jets, 34-20, at MetLife Stadium. On an individual level, Cousins, given a chance to rebound from the previous week’s poor performance, only added to his reputation for poor decision-making at the most inopportune times. And for a second consecutive week, Coach Jay Gruden was beaten by a first-year NFL head coach, with Todd Bowles’s victorious Jets improving to 4-1. [Brewer: As season unravels, Gruden issues a code red] From the season’s outset, Gruden hung the team’s offensive identity on a power running game. Against the Jets, the Redskins gained just 34 yards rushing to the Jets’ 221. The game was tied at 13 when Cousins threw his first interception — a clearly telegraphed throw under duress to wide receiver Ryan Grant that was low and short. It was easily picked off by six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. With Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick romping for 18 yards and a touchdown on the next play, the rout was on. Cousins, who finished 25 of 43 for 196 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, conceded that he should have instead thrown the ball out of bounds. But he remained unbowed, insisting he will improve the more he plays. “If I start to question or doubt, might as well just throw in the towel,” Cousins said. “I’ve got to stay positive, keep working and keep believing.” Gruden gave no indication that his patience has worn thin with Cousins, who has thrown eight interceptions to six touchdowns, even as the clamor to replace him gained steam on social media as the game unfolded. “We have spent a lot of time and invested a lot of time this season in Kirk, and we’d like to see the film before we move forward with any kind of crazy decisions,” Gruden said. “But we stand behind Kirk, and we’ll see what happens next week against Tampa.” Fitzpatrick, whose strengths and weaknesses mirror those of Cousins, did a better job of avoiding calamitous errors, completing 19 of his 26 throws for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. What truly separated the teams, though, was the running game. Because rookie Matt Jones was sidelined by a sprained toe, veteran Alfred Morris had an opportunity to reassert himself as the Redskins’ dominant ball-carrier. But the patchwork offensive line fared better in pass-protection than in run-blocking, and Morris gained just 21 yards on 11 carries. Third-down back Chris Thompson had minimal impact as well, gaining 12 yards on five carries. Meanwhile, Jets running back Chris Ivory rolled up 146 yards on 20 carries, repeatedly gashing the Redskins’ defense. “It’s crazy,” defensive end Ricky Jean Francois said. “One thing we set out each and every week is to stop the run.” [Jets’ success on the ground looked awfully familiar] As hopes of a rally faded, Rashad Ross recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown with 3 minutes 59 seconds remaining that spared the Redskins a second-half shutout. It was the second big special-teams play by Ross this season that came too late to do any appreciable good. Injuries were the Redskins’ chief concern entering the game. They took the field lacking five of 11 offensive starters from opening day, including Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson, tight end Jordan Reed and three-fifths of their offensive line. The defense, for its part, lacked starting cornerbacks Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall, although Breeland has by now staked a claim to starting status. But Sunday’s defeat — and the horrendously played third quarter — couldn’t simply be laid at the feet of the many backups pressed into service: Veteran defenders whiffed on tackles, and Cousins fired several balls just behind or beyond the grasp of his thin receiving corps. The Redskins defense started strong, with Kyshoen Jarrett forcing the fumble that Breeland recovered. The Redskins took over on the Jets’ 37, and Cousins hit Pierre Garcon with a two-yard touchdown throw for a 7-0 lead just 5:31 into the game. But the Jets countered with an 83-yard touchdown drive, Ivory battering one yard up the middle for the tying score. After another Redskins possession fizzled, Washington’s defense let Ivory explode for 54 yards before Breeland knocked him out of bounds. New York settled for 35-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. Sheldon Richardson beat rookie Brandon Scherff for the Jets’ first sack. Breeland came up with another big play, stripping wide receiver Brandon Marshall of the ball. The subsequent trick play on which Jamison Crowder was supposed to throw didn’t work. Cousins followed with a poor throw behind Crowder. And place kicker Dustin Hopkins nailed a 54-yard field goal to tie it again, at 10, with 2:17 remaining in the half. With the Jets threatening to score, Breeland intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass that had bounced off of Marshall’s fingertips. Cousins overthrew a potential touchdown pass in the end zone. But thanks to a a 30-yard field goal, the Redskins led 13-10 at the break. Third quarters have been a weakness for the Redskins all season, but Sunday’s redefined poor. The defense allowed the Jets to score 17 unanswered points in less than 10 minutes, while Cousins threw two interceptions in less than eight. Box score: New York 34, Washington 20 Jenkins: Cousins, after another rough game, is running out of rope Brewer: With season threatening to unravel, Gruden orders code red Third quarters are a stumbling block, and Redskins can’t explain why The Jets copied the Falcons and had a field day on outside runs D.C. Sports Bog: Brian Mitchell says it’s time to give Colt McCoy a shot The Wrap: Video breakdown with Scott Allen and Gene Wang Jay Gruden, postgame: ‘The third quarter has been a nightmare for us’ Kirk Cousins, postgame: ‘I certainly don’t want to be throwing interceptions’ Griffin: ‘I’m just here to support’ | Bog: Jets fans burn Griffin jersey Injuries: Robinson hurts ankle and thumb Bog: Best and worst moments from Redskins at Jets |