Haskins will play in front of his home fans for the first time on Sunday, and he has a chance to instill some much-needed hope.
Rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins has seen minimal live-action in the NFL this season, as he’s now played in three games, two of which came in relief efforts for an injured Case Keenum.
He’s taken the field with his team usually trailing, and he’s done what he could to try and will the Washington Redskins back to a victory. So far, he’s come up empty every time.
This Sunday, however, things will likely be a bit different.
When Haskins trots onto the field in a couple of days’ time, he will be doing so in front of his home fans for the first time in his career, and he will be doing so against a team that he has a legitimate chance of beating; the New York Jets.
For those two reasons, Haskins has a chance to instill the Redskins’ fanbase with some much-needed hope.
There’s no need to sugarcoat it, it has been a rough start to Haskins’ career this season. He is yet to throw a touchdown outside of the preseason, and he’s accounted for 4 interceptions in the three games he’s played.
With all three performances coming on the road, Redskins’ fans have been forced to sit back and watch in misery while the shortcomings have been streamed through their cable boxes. Now, with three straight weeks of taking first-team reps in practice, Haskins has a chance to build on the minimal improvements we saw two weeks ago when he made his first career start against the Buffalo Bills, and he will be doing so against a very beatable Jets team, who sit near the bottom of the league at 2-7.
Though the Jets have a very good run defense, ranking second in the NFL, they struggle in a key area where Haskins can build a lot of confidence and momentum — on third down. The Jets have allowed their opponent to convert on third down 45 percent of the time, which has kept drives alive and allowed teams to get into scoring position. Of course, the Redskins have been one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to converting on that down and distance, but it only takes a couple successful tries to get a rhythm building.
They may not leave Sunday’s game with a victory — and you could argue that they would be much better off in the long-term with another loss — but that doesn’t mean that a nice serving of hope can’t be injected into the veins of the Washington franchise. For the first time, Redskins’ fans will be able to see the production of their franchise QB with their own eyes, and they’ll get a good feel for the type of progress he will make going forward. With no chance at the playoffs, and little incentive to win, it’s tough to call this a statement game, but Haskins can make a giant statement to his home fans on Sunday afternoon.
The Redskins’ offense and defense have been the worst in the league when it comes to being successful on third down this season.
When the Washington Redskins and New York Jets meet on Sunday afternoon, it won’t only be a contest between two of the worst teams in the league, but also between two of the least clutch offenses.
Heading into this Week 11 showdown that very few people outside of Washington or New York will be watching, both the Jets and Redskins rank as the bottom two teams in the NFL when it comes to third-down conversions — Washington converts for a first down just 24.2 percent of the time, which is slightly above New York’s 23.7 percent success rate.
For the Redskins, they know it’s absolutely something that they need to get better at, as it’s imperative to their success.
When it comes to third down, Washington is even worse on defense. Through nine games, they rank dead-last in the league, allowing their opponent to convert on the down and distance 50 percent of the time. It’s no wonder they’ve found little success this season.
Greg Manusky talking first today. He says Redskins need to get better on 3rd down and getting to the QB
Whether on offense or defense, third-down is where a team really shows how good they are. It comes as no surprise that Washington is near the bottom of the barrel on both sides of the ball.
The Jets face another rookie quarterback in the Redskins’ Dwayne Haskins and need to make him beat the defense.
The Jets get their second chance to build a winning streak this week when they head to Washington to take on the Redskins. On the heels of their second win of the year over the Giants, the Jets will now take on one of the worst offensive teams in the league. Washington averages a league-low 12 points per game and ranks 30th in yards.
It looks like an easy matchup on paper, but the Jets are seriously thin at important positions on defense, including linebacker and cornerback. Just this past week, the Jets gave up 281 total yards and four passing touchdowns to the Giants, so they of all teams cannot overlook the lowly Redskins.
Here are four keys for the Jets defense in Week 11.
The Jets have another angry player mad for how the team is handling his injury. This time it’s wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
Add Quincy Enunwa to the list of injured Jets angry with the organization.
Enunwa, who’s been on injured reserve with a neck injury since mid-September, posted a series of angry tweets directed at the Jets for fining him $27,900 for missing two injury treatments.
Given everything that’s going on around the team I thought this could’ve been handled so many different ways. I’ve spent my time with the team trying to build myself up to be dependable and hardworking so this shit hurts. pic.twitter.com/xEUZV69rAJ
Enunwa later specified that he only missed those treatments because he was taking his wife, Deanna, out for Veteran’s Day lunch and because he had a family emergency. Deanna Enunwa served in the U.S. Army from 2007-2010, according to her LinkedIn account.
“The biggest reason it hurts is that I’m on IR for the second time in my career and the doctor told me I have a 50/50 chance of coming back to play,” Enunwa later tweeted. “I shouldn’t even HAVE to be in that building being reminded every day of what I can’t do.
“This s—- feels like punishment already and then they FINE me the max. And then want me to continue to do my rehab there and IF I get healthy they want me to then play for them after.”
Enunwa says he only posted the tweets because multiple teammates told him it’s “f—-ed up” that the Jets are fining him for missing treatments.
This isn’t the first time the Jets have been less than hospitable to their injured players. Lest we forgot the Kelechi Osemele injury debacle in which the Jets denied the guard surgery for a torn labrum, fined him for missing practice and ultimately cut Osemele for getting surgery on his own. Osemele filed a grievance against the Jets before they cut him. Shortly after that, quarterback Luke Falk also filed a grievance against the team for cutting him after he suffered a hip injury that required surgery.
Joe Douglas is less than six months into his tenure as the Jets general manager and he already has three bad injury situations on his ledger. Not only are all three a terrible look for the Jets organization, but the pattern means there is definitely something wrong with the front office’s ability to deal with injuries.
Enunwa signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension with the Jets last offseason, and the Jets need to do right by a player who has battled multiple injuries since being drafted in the sixth round of 2014 draft.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder is tied for the seventh most catches without a drop in the NFL with 48.
The Washington Redskins allowed Jamison Crowder to walk in free agency. Now, as they prepare to face the Jets, they may be kicking themselves for allowing one of the league’s most productive slot receivers to go without much of a fight.
Crowder has been as reliable as they come in his first season with the Jets. He’s already one of Sam Darnold’s favorite receivers, and that may have something to do with how sure his hands are.
This season, Crowder is tied for the seventh-most catches without a drop in the NFL with 48, tied with Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey.
Most catches without a drop (charted by @ESPNStatsInfo) this season: 1. Michael Thomas: 86 2. Chris Godwin: 60 3. Austin Ekeler: 57 4. Austin Hooper: 56 5. Allen Robinson: 53 6. Larry Fitzgerald: 50 T-7. Jamison Crowder: 48 T-7. Christian McCaffrey: 48
Crowder signed a three-year deal worth $28.5 million with the Jets and has quickly established himself as the team’s most reliable receiver. He leads the team in both receptions and yards with 42 and 486, respectively.
Before joining the Jets, he studied Adam Gase’s offenses and how he would fit that mold. He studied the coach’s history with slot receivers, going through tapes of Wes Welker and Jarvis Landry with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins, respectively, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
For quite some time, the Jets have lacked a trustworthy receiver who can space the field like Crowder. Jeremy Kerley was the closest thing resembling that, but a receiver of Crowder’s caliber hasn’t owned the middle of the field since Wayne Chrebet.
It’s clear through nine games that Crowder has carved a Welker- and Landry-like role for himself in Gase’s offense. Despite offensive struggles, Crowder has always posed as a significant threat in the slot.
With Chris Herndon sidelined for the season between a four-game suspension, a nagging hamstring injury and a broken rib that landed him on IR, Darnold has been forced to find a new security blanket.
Crowder has emerged as a dependable option due to Darnold’s increasing trust in the receiver. With his sure hands, it only makes sense to continue to get him involved going forward. After four catches in the first two drives against the Giants in the Jets’ 34-27 win last Sunday, the targets stopped coming for Crowder.
That should change on Sunday. The Redskins have struggled against the slot all season and with the defense’s inability to get off the field on third down, Darnold will surely be targeting his new favorite receiver in his return back to Washington this weekend.
Crowder will make his return to Washington after leaving in free agency last year, and he’s liable to let the Redskins know what they lost.
The Washington Redskins are likely to feel a bit of a sting this weekend when they face the New York Jets, but it will be of their own doing.
For the first time since letting him go into free agency this past year, wide receiver Jamison Crowder will be returning to FedEx Field, where he spent the first four years of his career. Now, in New York, Crowder has found a new home, a new quarterback, and new life to his game.
Through the first 10 weeks of the season, Crowder has developed into the top pass-catcher for the Jets, and he’s started to find a rhythm with QB Sam Darnold at long last after the projected franchise-quarterback missed the first part of the season with an illness. So far this year, Crowder has 42 catches for over 480 yards and two touchdowns. It’s pretty clear that he is better off in the green and white, rather than the burgundy and gold.
Though Washington has seen rookie receiver Terry McLaurin shine in his place, it’s always a tough site to watch one of your few successful draft picks walk, and find a suitable home so quickly. On Sunday when the two teams meet, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Crowder put up some big numbers out of the slot, as Washington struggles to defend that position.
Whether they admit it or not, the Redskins undervalued Crowder in his four years with the team, and he’s liable to let that be known on Sunday.
Le’Veon Bell (ribs/knee) was back on a limited basis at practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice with an illness.
Le’Veon Bell sat out of Wednesday’s practice with an illness, but he was back on Thursday.
Adam Gase said that Bell, who has also been listed with rib and knee issues, is expected to take part in practice Thursday on a limited basis.
In his first season with the Jets, Bell has dealt with multiple aliments, rushing behind a makeshift offensive line in his first season back after sitting out the entire 2018 season. Bell has gone for multiple MRIs this season, one on his shoulder and the other on his knee.
Additionally, LB Brandon Copeland (hip), CB Darryl Roberts (calf) and Ryan Kalil (knee) did not practice on Thursday.
Neither Roberts nor Kalil played vs. the Giants, but the Jets are hoping to have Copeland on Sunday. The Jets have already lost five inside linebackers to injuries this season, so Paul Worrilow and B.J. Bello would be the next men up.
Jets Wire breaks down four reasons New York has for keeping Adam Gase in 2020.
Adam Gase is going to get another chance to get things right at One Jets Drive in 2020.
Christopher Johnson reaffirmed his faith in Gase on Wednesday, stating that there would be no head coaching change at season’s end. Gase will return.
Between Sam Darnold’s regression and numerous embarrassing losses in winnable games, Jets fans have been calling for Gase’s head for a while now. It seems like there is an endless list of reasons why New York should part ways with its embattled first-year head coach. However, there are still a few reasons why Gase returning in 2020 makes sense.
Chris Herndon was supposed to be an integral part of the Jets offense in 2019. Instead, he caught just one pass.
[jwplayer 1vROLFUW-ThvAeFxT]
Chris Herndon’s sophomore season in the NFL fell apart before it could even begin.
Herndon was supposed to be an integral part of the Jets’ offense in 2019, one of Sam Darnold’s top targets. The two developed a solid rapport in their rookie seasons and Herndon quickly established himself as a reliable option in the passing game, catching 39 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns. With how strongly they closed out the regular season, the sky seemed to be the limit for the duo.
Instead, Darnold got the chance to throw only one pass Herndon’s way this season. After missing New York’s first four games due to a suspension, the Miami product injured his hamstring before returning against the Giants in Week 10, only to sustain a fractured rib that landed him on injured reserve.
“It’s obviously not ideal when you go through something like that and you go through a hamstring and you’re excited to go back out there and play ball,” Darnold said of Herndon’s injury. “Me and Chris are pretty close, so this one sucks, but it is what it is. I know he’s going to attack rehab like he always will. It’s never good when you lose a weapon like Chris.”
Not only is Darnold now missing one of his most talented targets for an extended period of time, but Herndon is robbed of a season that was supposed to be integral in his development. Yes, his suspension was a self-inflicted wound, but Herndon was able to move forward after his DWI charge. He instead appeared to learn from the inexcusable decision.
“It’s disappointing. I feel bad for Chris, because he was excited to get back out there,” Gase said. “For whatever reason, he couldn’t catch a break this year.”
The good news is Herndon will be back and ready to go next year. The former fourth-round pick has a lot of good football left in him and plenty of untapped potential to unlock.
Regardless, Herndon’s nightmare of a season tells the story of the 2019 Jets. Nothing has gone right at One Jets drive so far this year. Herndon is just the latest casualty of New York’s porous luck.
Top-ranked DFS PRO Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite Daily Fantasy Football plays at various salary ranges for Week 11 of the NFL. Find out who Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Top-ranked DFS PRO Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite Daily Fantasy Football plays at various salary ranges for Week 11 of the NFL. Find out who Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
QUARTERBACKS
LAMAR JACKSON- $7700 DRAFTKINGS, $8800 FANDUEL
Lamar Jackson is averaging 28 DraftKings points per game and is coming off another dominating performance where he performed the spin move of the season. Now he has a matchup versus a Texan team who ranks 26th against opposing quarterbacks. The Texans are getting gashed by both the run and the pass which should lead to a big game for Jackson in Week 11. He will have the safest floor of the week and should provide a high ceiling as well.
DAK PRESCOTT- $6700 DRAFTKINGS, $8100 FANDUEL
The Cowboys need a win to stay in the playoff hunt and they will rely heavily on Dak Prescott for the rest of the season. Dak has averaged 24 DraftKings points per game and is coming off a 29 point performance versus a stingy Viking defense. I view this as a bounce-back spot for both the Cowboys and Dak. We can easily see a 30 point performance versus the suspect Detroit Lions defense. Detroit is ranked 29th against opposing quarterbacks and allowing 272 yards in the air per game. Where other quarterbacks will be dealing with harsh winter weather Dak will playing in a dome and he should find the warmth in your lineups as well in Week 11.
RUNNING BACKS
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY- $10500 DRAFTKINGS, $10500 FANDUEL
Christian McCaffrey is a stud and he should be locked into your lineups every week regardless of who he plays against. He is having an MVP caliber season and is averaging 32 points per game. He gets a great matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons who have trouble covering pass-catching running backs. McCaffrey should feast and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 2 touchdown and 200 all-purpose yards out of him in Week 11.
JOSH JACOBS- $7000 DRAFTKINGS, $8000 FANDUEL
Josh Jacobs is highly involved in this Raider offense. As each week grows, he becomes more and more the focal point of this offense. Coming into Week 11 he is averaging 17 points per game and I think that goes up after this game versus Cincinnati. The Bengals are allowing 173 rushing yards per game and continue to get torched each week by opposing offenses. The Bengals have given up on the season and a big game is coming for Jacobs.
WIDE RECEIVERS
MICHAEL THOMAS- $9900 DRAFTKINGS, $9000 FANDUEL
The Saints shockingly lost to the Atlanta Falcons and knocked a bunch of people out of their survivor pools. Thomas didn’t disappoint and had another monster game. He is expensive but your paying for his consistency and upside in your cash lineups. He is averaging 114 receiving yards and 25 fantasy points per game. He is the equivalent of Christian McCaffrey at the wide receiver position and he is a lock in my cash and tournament lineups. The matchup provides a boost to an already great play in Thomas. Tampa Bay ranks 31st against wide receivers and should be a lock in your lineups.
JOHN BROWN- $6400 DRAFTKINGS, $5900 FANDUEL
Brown is quietly on pace for a 1200 yard receiving year. He is averaging 75 yards receiving and 14 fantasy points per game. He provides consistency and a nice value on both sites. The Buffalo Bills are coming off a tough loss to the Cleveland Browns and head to Miami for a must-win game. I expect the Bills to pepper Brown early and often with targets to take advantage of the matchup versus the weak Miami secondary and you should do the same in your lineups.
TIGHT ENDS
MARK ANDREWS- $6100 DRAFTKINGS, $6900 FANDUEL
Mark Andrews bounced back in a big way with a 23 point performance in Week 10. He grabbed 6 receptions, totaling 53 yards and 2 touchdowns. This is the third time this season where Andrews has eclipsed a 20 point fantasy performance, and I see a fourth one coming. It looks like Andrews is finally healthy and Vegas has this game currently projected at 49 points. I wouldn’t be shocked if it reached 50 by game time and I still like the over. Like I said above, I like the Ravens offense in this matchup versus the Texans and I think pairing Jackson with Andrews is the right way to stack the Ravens.
GREG OLSEN- $3900 DRAFTKINGS, $5100 FANDUEL
Greg Olsen just keeps on ticking. The guy is a warrior and at 34 years old he is still putting up numbers at a high level. DraftKings and FanDuel haven’t raised his price in relation to his performance if you ask me and I will lock up some Olsen shares for value on both sites. He is averaging 10 fantasy points per game at a position where if you miss you might end up with 0-2 points and that could be the difference in you cashing your lineups. Pair that with the fact he draws a matchup against the Falcons who rank 24th against opposing tight ends and you have safe tight end play for Week 11.
DEFENSES
VIKINGS- $3400 DRAFTKINGS, $4700 FANDUEL
The Vikings are coming off a big win versus the Cowboys and should have an easy victory lined up against the Broncos at home. The Vikings defense is averaging 7 fantasy points per game and has scored double digits on three occasions this year. I think their defense will stifle the Broncos which lack any true offensive weapons. Denver is only projected to score 15 points in this one, so there should be a solid floor when taking the Vikings in both cash games and tournaments.
JETS- $3100 DRAFTKINGS, $4500 FANDUEL
Sometimes you need to take a shot and hope for the best. This is a calculated shot with the Jets coming off a win and playing against a rookie quarterback. Haskins is struggling and surrounded by a bad overall offense. The Jets come at a slight discount and will be low owned as well. If they find a way to score a defensive touchdown for the second week in a row this defense can set you apart in your tournaments.
Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than seven years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.
