A lot of the starters didn’t play, and at times, this game was very painful to watch. But there was plenty to take from it.

Here are five areas of observation from the matchup:

1. Night off for Cousins and Co. With their surprise move to sit Kirk Cousins and eight other starters (Trent Williams, Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Ryan Kerrigan, Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland and Will Compton), Redskins Coach Jay Gruden and General Manager Scot McCloughan accomplished two goals of high priority. First, they ensured that their most important players didn’t subject themselves to unnecessary risk, and second, they got the players that most desperately needed action (for preparation and evaluation sake) the reps that they needed.

AD

AD

The argument of cutting the preseason from four to two games has been made, but it’s hard to evaluate 90 players on only two games. Handling the preseason like McCloughan and Gruden did Friday night makes a lot of sense. They know what they have in Cousins and the rest. They know those players know how to prepare and will be ready for Week 1. In the case of Williams, who has had knee soreness, and Reed (strained thumb), caution is wise. If this was the regular season, both would have played, and played well. But in evaluation games, what’s the point?

Better to get Ty Nsekhe some more game reps in case at some point during the season Williams does truly injure himself. Better to give Vernon Davis more time in the system. Better to get Colt McCoy some action on short notice, which is what his job entails, rather than put Cousins out there without his best blind-side protector (apparently learning from the past). Better to get Jamison Crowder some action on the outside in place of Pierre Garcon (opposed to his usual spot at slot receiver) to evaluate him for the future and gauge his versatility, and Rashad Ross a chance to prove himself against starting cornerbacks rather than backups.

The team’s decision-makers probably came away from the game feeling better about certain aspects of the roster than they did going into the game, and the players who received extra opportunities received valuable experience and confidence boosts. The 50-something-thousand fans that came out to catch a glimpse of those players may have felt like they got the raw deal. But, aside from the injury to Matt Jones, the team got what it needed the most from that game.

2. Youth infusion at inside linebacker. A year after having to scramble and sign guys off the streets to improve the depth at the position, the Redskins have more inside linebackers than they know what to do with.

AD

AD

Martrell Spaight, who missed all of his rookie season after a preseason concussion, continued to shine on Friday night. Starting in place of Compton, he was fast, aggressive and disruptive. He has a nose for the ball. He racked up four tackles and a forced fumble while playing primarily against the Jets’ first-team offense. He directed traffic for his teammates as if he had done it for years. Last season, Redskins officials expected that Spaight would contribute on special teams, but that he would need time to develop on defense. The lost season didn’t wind up hurting Spaight from a knowledge and understanding aspect because he continued to attend meetings with his teammates and learn as much as he could. He obviously isn’t perfect and will make some youthful mistakes here and there. But Spaight has done a very good job of making up for lost time. Like Compton, he has natural leadership traits and can serve as good tone-setter when needed.

Rookie Su’a Cravens had another solid night. It wasn’t as impactful as last week’s game against Atlanta, but Cravens appeared to play assignment-sound football. The Falcons ran the ball a lot, so that enabled Cravens to be more aggressive and just fly to the ball. The Jets passed a lot more, so Cravens dropped into coverage a lot and wasn’t around the ball as much. But it was another promising outing. The future remains bright at this position.

3. Kelley vs. Marshall. With the Redskins offense looking to march downfield and finally get on the board in the second quarter, rookie running back Robert Kelley stepped up in a big way, but not how you think. On first-and-10 from the New York 35, McCoy took the snap, dropped back and looked downfield. New York’s Bruce Carter came blitzing up the middle untouched by any linemen. But Kelley ran forward and met Carter at the line with a thud. The 6-foot-2, 244-pound linebacker knocked the 6-foot, 228-pound Kelley on his backside with a vicious thud but Carter fell to the ground (and on top of Kelley) as well. Unimpeded, McCoy completed a 16-yard pass to Ross for a first down.

AD

AD

That was an important play for Kelley because he has to show he can do more than just run the ball. He has worked hard to study the playbook, learn his assignments in pass protection and prove that he can do the little things. Kelley nudged his way up the depth chart a little in the last week, swapping spots with Keith Marshall behind Jones and Chris Thompson. He got some time with the starters, but had only three carries for eight yards with a long run of six. But a play like the blitz pickup will stand out in the eyes of his coaches.

Marshall had 10 carries for 26 yards with a long of 10, an improvement over his five carries for a loss of one last week. But it’s hard to say if that’s enough to leapfrog Kelley. This is a very tight race. Yes, the 5-11, 218-pound Marshall is draft pick, but the team’s talent evaluators don’t look at him with preference over the undrafted Kelley because of that. Marshall has speed, but Kelley has good instincts, coaches like his size, and he is receiving strong consideration for what will be the third and final running back spot on the 53-man roster. With Jones injured, both will receive a lot of opportunities to further showcase their skills.

4. Sudfeld shows youth and promise. After an erratic first two weeks of training camp, Nate Sudfeld seemed to flip a switch last week against Atlanta as he had a very crisp performance with some impressive throws on the run. He looked to build on that this week as he tries to earn a spot on a roster that actually would be just fine with only two quarterbacks instead of three.

AD

AD

The sixth-round pick looked more like a rookie sixth-round pick for much of the third and fourth quarters. His accuracy issues returned as he appeared to rush things here and force throws there. He completed only three of his first 12 pass attempts. But then, in an encouraging sign, Sudfeld appeared to find his rhythm and completed seven of the next nine passes while marching his team downfield and to a touchdown (a fade and spectacular catch by Kendal Thompson in the back right corner of the end zone), and then added one more completion, going back to Thompson in the opposite corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion.

That was big, for Sudfeld to recover and execute in a high-pressure, late-game situation. He’s still under evaluation and no sure thing to make the roster. But he’s on his way to making believers out of the team’s decision-makers. Some think that while it would take Sudfeld a year, and maybe two to develop, he does have some great skills and the makeup to eventually become a starter in the NFL. Sudfeld does have great size at 6-6, 234 pounds. And he has a very strong arm. He’s working on sharpening his touch, and also gaining comfort playing under center after playing in a spread offense in college. Continued strong play – like his game-ending stretch – will make it hard for the Redskins to get Sudfeld through waivers and onto their practice squad. So, if he continues like this, he very well could wind up on the roster.

5. Young bubble players. Taking advantage of the additional opportunities they received, a number of other young players appeared to help their cases for roster consideration.

AD

AD

Defensive end Anthony Lanier – a 6-6, 282-pound rookie out of Alabama A&M – looks like a player to watch down the stretch of the preseason. He had a sack to end the game and another hit on the quarterback earlier in the game. With this defensive line short on young talent, a player like Lanier could be good to keep around to develop for the future. He had a tackle and a pass batted down at the line in the preseason opener and continues to intrigue coaches.

Willie Jefferson – a second-year player, short on experience but full of upside – flashed with a hit on the quarterback, a tackle for a loss and a special teams tackle. The 6-5, 246-pound outside linebacker is competing with Houston Bates and Lynden Trail for the final backup spot behind Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith. Another young pass-rushing prospect, Mike Wakefield (a 6-3, 268-pound rookie from Florida International) had a sack and tackle for a loss.

Meanwhile, at inside linebacker Terence Garvin – a fourth-year veteran – had some late-game fireworks with a sack, two tackles and a fumble recovery. But it’s hard to say if he has a shot to work his way into a crowded position group. Right now, the team appears likely to take five inside linebackers. You know Compton, Mason Foster, Spaight and Cravens. Is that fifth Perry Riley Jr., who has value as a starter and remains in competition with Foster for that full-time job next to Compton? Or would Garvin, because of his upside and special teams play, manage to pull off the upset?

AD

AD

Lastly, wide receiver remains interesting. You know Garcon, Jackson, Crowder and Grant are making it. And it appears that Ross has a strong chance. If Josh Doctson gets healthy in time for the final preseason game, he’s on, but if not, would open the year on the PUP list. Does that open the door for another receiver? Coaches like T.J. Thorpe, who had a catch for 17 yards and displayed some promise as a punt returner (two for 17 yards, 8.5 yard average). Coaches see a lot of similarities to Garcon when the watch the 6-foot, 200-pound U-Va. product, so keep an eye on him. But Kendal Thompson (6-2, 192, rookie, Utah) made two huge catches to end the game. And Maurice Harris (6-3, 200 rookie, Cal) received a lot of early-game action.