Jets tune up for Patriots by bowling over Redskins

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Bring on New England.

Following their bye week, the New York Jets dominated the Washington Redskins Sunday at MetLife Stadium, 34-20, setting up a huge Week 7 showdown against the division-rival Patriots next week. The Jets now sit comfortably in second place in the AFC East, and next Sunday’s game in Foxborough, Mass. could have playoff implications.

New York did it with defense and rushing Sunday, as Washington could not find an answer for Jets running back Chris Ivory, who gained 196 total yards and one touchdown on 23 touches.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, completed 19 of his 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

The Jets probably would have controlled the game much earlier if not for carelessness with the ball. In the first half, the Redskins scored all 13 of their points off of three New York turnovers: two fumbles by wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall and an interception by Fitzpatrick.

But Washington had its own turnover issues. Quarterback Kirk Cousins continued a pattern of forced passes when he threw a critical third-quarter interception to Darrelle Revis.

On the next play, Fitzpatrick scrambled for an 18-yard touchdown that sparked a run in which New York scored 17 unanswered points in the quarter and gave it the lead it would never relinquish.

Cousins, who finished the game with two picks, now has 27 interceptions in 20 career games.

With Washington’s ball control issues, its offense continued to look anemic. The Redskins gained just 225 total yards, compared to New York’s 474, which drained any hopes Washington had of keeping it close in the second half.

One big boost that will bolster New York next week is the return of defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who had been serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Richardson started alongside defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams in a four-man front and recorded three tackles and a half sack.

Richardson’s return allowed the Jets to generate pressure despite bringing just four and five pass rushers for the majority of the game.

Because Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is known for having one of the quickest releases in the entire NFL, how the Jets penetrate New England’s offensive line should be a key.

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