Typically in Week 2 of the preseason, coaches will opt to allow starters to spend a little more time on the field, and that makes the New York Jets' matchup with Washington slightly more intriguing due to one battle in particular.
Jets vs. Washington 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch NFL preseason online
New York’s first-team wide receivers battling Washington’s secondary should be fun to watch.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Jets have a solid receiver corps, with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker leading the way, while Washington was able to bring in All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman as an unrestricted free agent after the Carolina Panthers chose to rescind his franchise tag. Norman will play opposite Bashaud Breeland, who had a big game against the Jets in MetLife last season. Breeland forced a fumble when he stripped Brandon Marshall, and added an interception to his stat line, picking off Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The starters likely won’t play for much more than a quarter, but the Jets’ receivers going up against Washington’s secondary should be fun to watch.
The Jets are coming off of a 17-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first week of the preseason, but rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg didn't get the opportunity to play. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty got all the snaps against the Jaguars, though that should change on Friday night. Jets coach Todd Bowles said the plan was for Hackenberg to finally hit the field against Washington.
Hackenberg is dealing with absorbing the playbook and navigating the transition from Penn State to the NFL. He’s still in line for reps behind Fitzpatrick, Smith and Petty, but Jets fans will be eager to see what the second-round pick can do.
New Jets running back Matt Forte began practicing this week, to glowing reviews. Forte is, however, unlikely to play against Washington while he makes his way back from a hamstring injury.
Washington's first-team pass defense looked good against the Falcons in Week 1 of the preseason, allowing starting quarterback Matt Ryan to complete zero of four passes, but Matt Schaub and Sean Renfree bested Washington's second- and third-teamers. Washington will hope the backups can look more stout against the Jets.
Allowing big passing plays wasn’t Washington’s only weakness last week, either. The team showed a lack of discipline, racking up 14 penalties. That’s something head coach Jay Gruden said he expects the team to clean up this week against the Jets.
“You need to take away the big plays and the penalties, play a pretty good game,” Gruden said. “But those are the things we’ve got to improve on.”
Washington will also look to establish a ground game against the Jets, which is a pretty tough task. The Jets have had a top-five rush defense for three straight seasons, and last week against the Falcons, Washington only ended up with a total of 79 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. The Jets gave up 96 yards and a touchdown on the ground to the Jaguars last week.
How to watch
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
TV: WCBS (CBS 2) in New York, WRC (Cozi 4.2) in Washington
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Greg Buttle (Jets); Chick Hernandez, Joe Theismann (Washington)
Online: NFL Game Pass
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