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5 matchups to watch in Redskins vs. Jets preseason Week 2

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 10: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets carries the ball as Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons defends during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 10: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets carries the ball as Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons defends during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Sam Darnold vs. Redskins defense

It seems that Sam Darnold is going to get a chance to start for the Jets this week. He dominated the first-team reps in Monday’s practice and after a solid preseason debut, Darnold will get a chance to prove that he can be a starter right now at the NFL level.

Of course, this also represents a good test for the Redskins defense. Last week, the team mostly played their second string against the Patriots second string, and they absolutely dominated veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer. The defense was instrumental in helping to build a 17-0 first-half lead. With more playing time in Week 2, the team starters and backups should have a good chance to prove themselves.

The starting defense might also get more run against the Jets, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase what they’re made of. Darnold has talent, but he’s unproven. If the Redskins can strike fear into him and make it very difficult for him to move the ball, then it will become more clear that their stop unit is continuing to get stronger.

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It’s also worth noting that Darnold has far more upside than Hoyer does as a quarterback. Hoyer was a starter for part of last season, but Darnold was drafted to be the Jets quarterback of the future. There’s a chance that he could become one of the better starters in the league, and the fact that most of the Redskins players have not played against him will make this matchup all the more intriguing.

This opportunity to play a young, dynamic passer should really help the Redskins defense get tuned up for the start of the regular season. At the very least, this matchup will be far more interesting than the one against Hoyer from the previous week. Another good performance on the defensive side of the ball would give the Redskins a lot of momentum on defense, and that would be good for them as they start the season.

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