The Jets topped the Carolina Panthers 9-3 on the road last week thanks to three field goals by kicker Nick Folk, including a 49-yarder. Folk made just 18-of-28 field goals for the Dallas Cowboys last season, making only 6-of-13 from 40 yards or longer. He has made 6-of-7 attempts in the preseason with New York, only missing a 46-yarder wide right.
New York quarterback Mark Sanchez continues to play cautiously with his surgically repaired left knee, so he has decided to wear a protective brace moving forward. Sanchez completed 5-of-10 passes for a minuscule 12 yards against the Panthers, who held the Jets to 46 passing yards overall. He was a lot sharper in the preseason opener against the New York Giants, hitting on 13-of-17 attempts for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Redskins only managed a field goal in a 23-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week with McNabb completing just 11-of-26 pass attempts for 206 yards with an interception. Grossman followed that up by connecting on 14-of-21 for 195 with a pick. Washington also had virtually no ground game to help them out, as running back Clinton Portis totaled 14 yards on two carries while the players behind him combined for 11 yards on 12 carries. Other injured Redskins include fullback Mike Sellers (knee) and free safety Kareem Moore (knee).
Moore underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday and will be out four to six weeks. He was injured without being touched by the Ravens as he was trying to chase down Baltimore’s Haruki Nakamura on a fake-punt play that ended up going for 51 yards and led to a touchdown.
Washington is also still dealing with disgruntled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who privately met with head coach Mike Shanahan on Monday. The two agreed not to discuss the situation in public any longer, which stems from the fact that Haynesworth has struggled to practice due to a muscle condition with failed conditioning tests. Shanahan has said that Haynesworth remains in the mix to start the regular-season opener but must practice.
The Jets are not without controversy either with Revis still sitting out due to an ongoing contract dispute. There have been conflicting reports that Revis was close to signing earlier this week, but the two sides still have not come to an agreement, with the negotiating continuing to be done behind closed doors. Ryan refuses to discuss the drama and has also let his players simply focus on playing their game without requiring them to look at any tape this preseason. Quite ironic considering his squad has been the subject of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” television program.
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