The Jets traveled to Nashville to take on the Titans in Week Two. Following a loss in San Francisco to the 49ers last week, New York beat a scrappy Tennessee Titans team 24-17. Aaron Rodgers had never started a season as a starting quarterback with a record of 0-2, and that streak will continue. The Jets record stands at 1-1.
Having a Hall of Fame quarterback is frequently enough to overcome other shortcomings. The Jets are also a veteran team on the offense line. For the most part, Rodgers was kept clean and he delivered two touchdowns with no interceptions. Head coach Robert Saleh said after the game, “Every time we touch the ball we can score. To put up 24 points on the road is pretty good.”
The defensive line was able to exert its strength in this game. Saleh, commenting on the line, said on, “the defensive standpoint, they are the heartbeat of our team. Will McDonald was unbelievable.” McDonald delivered four tackles, and three sacks. Additionally, Jamien Sherwood led the team with 12 tackles, and one tackle for a loss.
The defense kept the Jets in the game despite a turbulent first half. They produced two big turnovers. One was a red zone takeaway, where Quincy Williams recovered a fumble on the Jets 11 yard line. The other was an interception by Brandin Echols on a 50-50 ball.
Not everything was rosy for the Jets, and there are corrections needed as they leave Tennessee. Saleh had to burn two timeouts to avoid delay of game penalties. This is particularly surprising with Rodgers as the quarterback. The Jets will need to get this figured out, with either Rodgers continuing to shake off the rust from missing all of last year, or offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett getting better with play calling.
There were also some dumb penalties committed by the team. Some of these were questionable, that the referees could have gone either way with. Jermaine Johnson was called for a roughing the passer penalty that was borderline if best. Additionally, early in the game, Rodgers was called for an intentional grounding when he threw the ball to a spot expecting Garrett Wilson to be there, but he wasn’t.
Special Teams Give a Special Effort
The third phase of the game, special teams, is frequently overlooked but very important. One of the stars of the game was Irvin Charles. Of Charles, Saleh said, “He’s a Pro Bowl special teamer, and if people don’t know who he is they better figure it out quick.” His name was called frequently on Jets special teams plays. He had two special teams tackles and a big blocked punt. Additionally, punter Thomas Morstead punted six times with an average of 50.7 yards per punt. Greg Zuerlein converted his only field goal attempt, a 33-yarder, and all three of his extra points.
Running Backs Doing It All
The Titans came into this game looking to shut down the connection between Rodgers and Wilson. Rodgers was able to adapt to that, and still throw two touchdown passes. One was to rookie running back Braelon Allen, and the other to star running back Breece Hall.
Allen, the youngest player in the NFL at 20 years old, caught a screen pass and ran through two defensive backs en route to his first career touchdown. Allen is a tank, and showed his receiving prowess on the touchdown play. He also showed his abilities running the ball. His 20-yard touchdown rush gave the Jets a 24-17 lead with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter. “He’s always finishing forward, there was no doubt he was going to run over anyone in his way.”
Hall, one of the best running backs in the league, looked more like one of the best receivers in the league on his touchdown. His 26-yard touchdown reception took a lot of body control in the air, with a combination of good hands.
Injury Concerns
As a veteran team, injuries were naturally going to be a concern for the Jets this season. In the second week of the season, the injuries have already crept up on them, though the most worrisome one is a younger player.
D.J. Reed was not able to start the game for the Jets, and was a pregame scratch. Starting in his place was Echols.
Early in the contest, C.J. Mosley was taken back to the locker room, with the training staff looking at his right foot. Mosley is a captain of the defense and a grizzled veteran who serves as a calming force on the defense.
However, most impactful was an injury to an important pass rusher that occurred in the second half. Seeing the cart come on to the field, a towel over the head of Johnson, and the rest of the team coming over to comfort him, it was obvious that the news was not good. The third-year budding star pass rusher is down with an Achilles injury. After the game, Saleh said, “It doesn’t look good.”
Johnson’s injury puts the Haason Reddick contract situation back into the spotlight. The team and Reddick have still not come to a contract agreement, and Reddick is continuing his holdout. If he holds out all season, he will be fined in excess of $20 million. Johnson’s production was a reason that the team was okay without Reddick; however, with Johnson now out for a long time, it will be a situation to watch moving forward.
Looking Forward
The Jets have their home opener on Thursday Night Football in Week Three. They will face their rivals, the New England Patriots. The Patriots, with new coach Jerod Mayo, come to Met Life Stadium with a record of 1-1. They upset the Cincinnati Bengals in Week One, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime in Week Two.
Rodgers will make his first start at Met Life Stadium since last year’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, Rodgers injured his Achilles on the fourth play of the season, and his Jets career. The Met Life turf has frequently been criticized, so it will be a factor to watch for Rodgers and the Jets offense.
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