Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
DeSean hitting stride at right time for ’Skins
ASHBURN, VA. >> DeSean Jackson turned 30 and turned his game up to another level.
For the first time in nine NFL seasons, Jackson recorded 100-plus receiving yards in three consecutive games and is hitting his stride just in time for the playoff-hopeful Washington Redskins. New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple called Jackson “probably the best deep threat in the league,” a declaration the numbers back up.
Jackson is one 60-plusyard touchdown away from his 23rd, which would tie Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most in history; he is also one 80-plus-yard touchdown away from the fifth of his career, which would tie Rice, Derrick Alexander, Lance Alworth and Bob Hayes. If Sunday’s matchup against the Giants is Jackson’s final game in burgundy and gold, the pending free agent is hitting the market playing some of the best football of his career.
“I guess I’m blessed to still be able to play this game and play at a high level,” said Jackson, who added he’s OK after leaving the Redskins’ game Saturday at Chicago with a jaw injury. “I still feel like I have all the attributes to be a dual threat in this league and to continue to go out there and make big plays and help spark up the scoreboard for my team.”
Jackson has 20 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns in his past five games, which he said was simply a result of quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball and him getting open. Cousins knows he can find Jackson down the field as the speed piece of a receiving corps that includes possession machine Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and hard-to-cover tight end Jordan Reed.
The contracts of Jackson and Garcon are up after this season, but the veterans insist they’re trying not to think about what’s to come with their focus on the virtual win-and-in regular-season finale Sunday against the Giants. Washington would make the playoffs with a victory as long as Green Bay and Detroit don’t play to a tie Sunday night.