By Ryan O’Halloran
Reviewing the four things to watch I identified for Sunday’s Jets-Redskins game, won 34-19 by New York:
1. BIG PLAY REPEAT
Entering the game: For the first time in seven weeks, the Redskins’ offense had three plays of at least 28 yards against Seattle.
What happened: The Redskins had five plays of at least 21 yards, including catches of 42 and 30 yards by tight end Fred Davis. Too bad Fast Freddy is likely done for the season because of a drug suspension. The Jets cornerbacks locked down on the Redskins’ receivers – Santana Moss had the longest catch from that group (21 yards) and Jabar Gaffney went without a catch for the first time this year.
2. CONTAINING BURRESS, HOLMES
Entering the game: Jets receivers Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes had combined for 74 catches and 12 touchdowns.
What happened: Save for one play, the Redskins’ secondary did their job, but that one play helped the Jets take the lead for good. Cornerback Josh Wilson bit on Holmes’ double move and caught a 30-yard touchdown catch. Holmes and Burress combined for seven catches and 91 yards.
3. HELU STARTING, PART 2
Entering the game: Running back Roy Helu produced against a top-half-of-the-NFL Seattle defense and the Jets have similar numbers. The Jets entered eighth overall and 15th against the rush.
What happened: Helu started and played nearly all of the snaps. He had all of the Redskins’ 23 carries (for 100 yards) and caught four passes for 42 yards. The Redskins didn’t have great balance – 11 carries and 20 passes in the first half, 23 rushes and 46 passes for the game.
4. PLACE-KICK PROTECTION
Entering the game: Kicker Graham Gano led the NFL (again) with nine misses and that included blocked kicks by Arizona, Dallas, Buffalo and Seattle. The Seahawks also blocked an extra point and got a piece of a made field goal.
What happened: Gano had his best game since Week 7 in Carolina, connecting on field goal attempts of 33, 23, 46 and 23 yards and one extra point.
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