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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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Manti Te’o #51 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Manti Te’o #51 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

1. Samaje Perine/Rob Kelley vs. Jets defense

This has now become the battle for the starting running back position. Most Redskins fans aren’t happy about this, as they would have preferred to see Guice in action as the starter, but the reality is that one of these guys will probably be handed the reigns to begin the 2018 season.

Perine showed flashes of improved vision in the first preseason game, and he had a nice 10-plus-yard scamper that saw him find the hole, make a cut, make a defender miss, and run with enough speed to get the first down. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done.

Meanwhile, Kelley struggled to find space as he couldn’t find a lot of holes. He doesn’t have great vision and relies heavily on his physicality to generate yardage. That’s fine for a rotational player, but it’s not a long-term, viable option for success.

Still, the Redskins will be looking to decide this position battle and the Jets defensive front will be a good test. Leonard Williams is one of the better young linemen in the league, and the team has added young talent to their line this offseason in the form of draft picks Nathan Shepherd and Folorunso Fatukasi, and former Colts starter Henry Anderson. These guys will have a chance to slow down the Redskins duo, so Perine and Kelley will have to show which one of them is more capable of breaking through a stout defensive front.

Next. Previewing Redskins vs. Jets in preseason Week 2. dark

The Redskins have a chance to win against the Jets, but the most important thing for them will be to win these individual matchups to build momentum heading towards the 2018 season.

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