The Sports Xchange

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In previous seasons, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick might have feared the worst when he made a low throw.

Then again, he did not have the caliber of players like wide receiver Brandon Marshall in his prior stops.

Marshall not only caught Fitzpatrick’s low pass, but turned it into a highlight-reel 35-yard touchdown reception with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter as the New York Jets overcame a sluggish first half to pull away from the Washington Redskins 34-20 on Sunday.

“I’ve thrown so many of those where I’m kind of getting hit as I release them in my career and they get picked,” Fitzpatrick said. “So I was thinking ‘oh boy here we go’. How he caught it I don’t know and then how he turned it into a touchdown I really don’t know. That’s one of those I’m very thankful Brandon is my teammate and I’m very thankful for the opportunity to throw to him.”

Marshall finished with seven catches and 111 yards for his fourth 100th-yard game of the season. His pivotal play came with about six minutes left in the third quarter on a second-and-four play with the Jets holding a 20-13 lead. Marshall snatched Fitzpatrick’s low throw just above his cleats, spun around cornerback Bashaud Breeland and easily raced in for the score.

“He just threw up to me and I made a play,” Marshall said. “I was able to put our team in a good position.”

“That was a nice play by him,” Jets wide receiver Eric Decker added. “That was a big play in a critical situation. That’s what he does. That’s why he’s so fun to watch because he makes those acrobatic big plays like that one.”

Fitzpatrick finished 19 of 26 for 253 yards and preceded Marshall’s touchdown with a highlight of his own when he raced 18-yards for score with 10:02 remaining. Fitzpatrick’s scramble gave the Jets a 20-13 lead and came one play after cornerback Darrelle Revis intercepted Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins.

What we learned about the Jets

1. The Jets are all about Ivory. Chris Ivory set a career-high with 166 yards two weeks ago during New York’s win over Miami in London and likely would have a chance to match that figure or surpass if it the Jets did not lead by three touchdowns after the third quarter. Ivory finished with 20 carries and 146 yards while also getting a one-yard TD in the first quarter. He also was credited by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for picking up a Washington blitz, which allowed Fitzpatrick to run for an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

2. Richardson returns and adds another dimension to Jets’ defense. DE Sheldon Richardson missed the first four games after serving a suspension for failing the league’s substance abuse policy in the offseason. He did not start but was credited with half a sack and three tackles as coach Todd Bowles thought he gave the Jets some energy on a day when it was lacking in the first half.

3. Just maybe they’re not the same old Jets: When the Jets sputtered their way through a turnover plagued first half, fans might have been thinking the same old Jets have resurfaced, meaning the team plays down to inferior competition a week before visiting New England. Instead the Jets heard some words from coach Todd Bowles, got their act together in the second half and matched their win total from last season.

Etc.

–RB Chris Ivory recorded his eighth career game with at least 100 yards but did so in consecutive games for the first time in his career. He finished with 146 yards on 20 carries and his longest run was a 54-yard gain. Ivory was also credited by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for spotting a Washington blitz and it resulted in Fitzpatrick’s 18-yard TD run in the third quarter.

–DE Sheldon Richardon did not start but made his debut after missing four games due a league suspension for failing the substance abuse policy. Richardson recorded his first sack on a second-and-10 early in the second quarter and nearly combined with DE Leonard Williams on a second sack late in the first half. He finished his season debut with three tackles and coach Todd Bowles said he gave the team some energy.

–WR Brandon Marshall had his fourth straight game with at least 100 receiving yards when he had seven catches and 111 yards. One of those was a 35-yard touchdown catch with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter when he caught a low throw from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick just above his cleats and raced in for the score.

–RB Bilal Powell was active although he was listed as a game-time decision with a groin injury. He was injured again when he sprained his ankle during the first half.

–CB Buster Skrine missed the second half after getting two tackles in the first half. He was evaluated for a head injury after getting hurt near halftime and the Jets said he has a concussion.