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Redskins goals for their Week 11 clash with the New York Jets

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins takes selfies with fans at the conclusion of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins takes selfies with fans at the conclusion of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets reacts against he Miami Dolphins in the first quarter of their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets reacts against he Miami Dolphins in the first quarter of their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Rattle Sam Darnold with early pressure

The Jets were able to beat the Giants last week, and it was largely thanks to the effort of their offense. Sam Darnold looked great against the Giants’ hapless defense and was able to carve them up relentlessly.

If the Redskins want to have a chance to avoid the same fate, they’ll need to get pressure on Darnold early and often.

So far this season, Darnold has struggled immensely when under a lot of heat. Everyone remembers the Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots where he was “seeing ghosts.” And while that was against a very strong Patriots defense, it’s still abundantly clear that the way to beat the Jets offense is to rattle Darnold.

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The Redskins have the personnel needed to mess with Darnold. Ryan Kerrigan has had a down year, but he’s still a good edge rusher. The same can be said of rookie first-round pick Montez Sweat. But it will really be the interior defensive line — Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis — that will have the best chance to get up in Darnold’s grill.

If the Redskins can target the Jets’ interior line, which has been a major weakness, with or without center Ryan Kalil in the lineup, they’ll be able to do that pretty easily. The defense’s focus should certainly be on breaking through there at the point of attack, as it could give them a chance to get ahead early and make some real splash plays on defense.

And, of course, having a good pass rush will do a lot to mask the massive weakness that the ‘Skins have in the secondary at the No. 2 and slot corner positions, as Darnold won’t have as much time to make throws against a strong pass rush.

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