Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense just can't seem to get their footing in the preseason. PHOTO BY BILL MENZEL / LSV

East Rutherford, NJ – It is a given that dominating defense leads to Super Bowls.

However, if you don’t put points on the board offensively, it makes it that much more difficult to get to the last game of the year.

After the New York Jets first two preseason games against the Giants and Carolina Panthers, head coach Rex Ryan didn’t have to curse and swear to describe the offense – or lack thereof.

So knowing that this would be the last preseason game in which the offensive starters would play most of the game, Ryan wanted to see a more consistent Mark Sanchez against the Washington Redskins last Friday night.

The result: Mixed. Final score: Redskins 16, Jets 11. 

Sanchez has a miserable game against Carolina but in his very first drive against the Redskins looked like the quarterback that led the Jets to within one game of the Super Bowl.

After a 5-yard run by Greene got them to the Washington 26, Sanchez gets sacked and then misses on a pass attempt to Tomlinson on 3rd and 7. It stalls an otherwise positive drive but does lead to a Nick Folk 45-yard field goal. “We gotta do a better job in the red zone,” said Ryan afterwards.

Sanchez and the offense could not continue whatever momentum they established as they would see the Redskins take a 6-3 lead on two Graham Gano field goals, the second coming after another critical Sanchez interception.

The Jets punted from their own 39 and recovered the Brandon Banks fumble as Vernon Gholston gets to the ball on the Washington 34-yard line. Sanchez got them down to the 13-yard line, poised to take an early second quarter lead.

Sanchez and L.T. don't seem worried about the lack of offense so far. PHOTO BY BILL MENZEL / LSV

More red zone frustration for the Gang Green offense. Something that has not been lost on Sanchez. “When you miss down there in the red zone there’s too many people around, so you got to be real accurate.” 

With the passing game continuing to struggle, the running game has been picking up the slack. Tomlinson continued to show his best days are not behind him as he busted out a 43-yard run as the Jets were backed down to their own 7-yard line. “It was a zone scheme,” he said describing the run. “I cut back. The line did a great job of pushing everybody by. Once I cut it back, I had the safety coming downhill. I knew he was coming to fast to be able to tackle me once I made a move on him.”

LaDaninan Tomlinson has been one of the few bright spots for Gang Green through the first three weeks of the preseason. PHOTO BY BILL MENZEL / LSV

The Jets conclude the preseason Thursday in Philadelphia.

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