N.Y. struggles early but rallies to improve to 4-1
A 24-point run, with 17 in the third quarter, beats Washington.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the New York Jets overcame a sloppy first half to beat the banged-up Washington Redskins 34-20 on Sunday.
Chris Ivory ran for 146 yards and a TD on 20 carries for the Jets, who improved to 4-1 for the first time since the 2010 team opened 5-1. Brandon Marshall had seven catches for 111 yards, and Eric Decker also caught a TD pass from Fitzpatrick, who ran for an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Every win’s not going to be pretty,” coach Todd Bowles said. “We’re going to make some mistakes, but how we come back from it and how we grow as a team moving forward is what’s going to make us a decent team.”
The even-keeled Bowles’ way is to downplay success, but the Jets looked every bit like a playoff contender for the final two quarters. They’ll get their biggest test next Sunday at AFC East-rival New England.
“If you want to be a great team,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said, “you’ve got to be able to punch through adversity.”
The Jets, coming off a bye week, trailed 13-10 at halftime, with the Redskins (2-4) scoring their points off three turnovers — all by Bashaud Breeland. The cornerback recovered two fumbles and had an interception.
But New York opened the second half with 24 straight points to take control against a Washington team without several starters, including wide receiver DeSean Jackson and cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Culliver.
Kirk Cousins was 25-of43 for 196 yards with a TD to Pierre Garcon, but also threw two interceptions. He has two picks each in four games this season — all losses, but no interceptions in Washington’s two wins.