Jets at Redskins
THE STORY: Mark Sanchez threw four touchdown passes a week ago in leading the New York Jets over the Buffalo Bills in a critical AFC East battle for survival. The Jets, who would miss the playoffs if the season ended now, visit Washington needing another win to keep their hopes alive. It won’t be as easy as it appears, as the return of Rex Grossman to quarterback nearly lifted the Redskins to an upset of the surging Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. Last week, Grossman threw for 300 yards as Washington snapped a six-game losing streak with a come-from-behind victory at Seattle.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Jets -3, O/U 38
ABOUT THE JETS (6-5): New York has a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way and should reach the playoffs if it can avoid pitfalls like these in Washington. Of the remaining five games, only the New York Giants have a winning record and Jets players insist they have to run the table to reach the postseason. RB LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to return for Sunday’s game after missing two straight games with a knee injury. He should take the burden off Shonn Greene as the feature back and gives Sanchez another playmaker. Greene averaged six yards a carry last week in one of his best games. Sanchez has a career-high 18 touchdown passes on the season but has still faced the wrath of the fans because of his inconsistent play. When he throws at least three TD passes, New York is 5-0. Defensive end Mike DeVito is doubtful with a knee injury. The Jets rank eighth in total defense but just 24th in offense.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (4-7): The Redskins got wide receiver Santana Moss back from a broken hand but it was rookie Roy Helu who lit up the Seahawks by gaining 104 yards, including a dazzling 28-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter when Washington trailed by 10 points. Grossman was accurate in his second 300-yard performance of the season as the Redskins snapped out of its offensive funk. The 23 points were the most Washington had scored since Week 1. The Redskins still rank 31st in the league in rushing and 27th in scoring at 16.6 ppg. Coach Mike Shanahan said he will stick with Helu as his starting back.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Washington scored a TD on its first drive last week for the first time this season.
2. Washington surprisingly leads the all-time series 8-1 and has won four straight contests vs. the Jets.
3. The Jets are 4-2 on the road in December under coach Rex Ryan.