Grading the Jets' Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn watches from the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/John Amis
OFFENSE: B
New offensive coordinator Frank Reich called a good game and mixed things up. The Jets had a 19-play drive with 15 runs and another one in which they hit on two explosive passes. Geno Smith was efficient in his first start for the Jets in nearly 10 years. He completed 79% of his passes and didn’t throw an interception. Eight different players had catches. The offensive line protected Smith — who wasn’t sacked — and opened up running lanes for the backs. The Jets rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Some pre-snap penalties and a holding call that negated a touchdown kept the Jets from truly running away with the win. Overall, though, this was a definite improvement from the slop they forced everyone to watch last season.
DEFENSE: A
Maybe play-calling is Aaron Glenn’s superpower. The defense stood tall against the Titans, who look as if they’re going to struggle offensively again this season. The defense sacked Cam Ward three times and pressured him throughout the game. The Jets limited the Titans to only 195 yards of offense (they had 112 after three quarters). The Jets allowed one touchdown drive in the hurry-up late in the game when it was essentially out of reach. The Jets are still chasing an interception — they’re now up to 18 consecutive games without one — but they held the Titans to four three-and-outs and didn’t let them get into the red zone until their final drive of the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Their return game didn’t provide much, but this group was impactful nonetheless. They forced a takeaway on a kickoff: Marcelino McCrary-Ball knocked the ball loose from Chimere Dike and Qwan’tez Stiggers pounced on it at the Titans’ 38. Jason Sanders showed mettle by bouncing back after missing a 54-yard field goal attempt. He made his next two and three overall. Sanders is on shaky ground after struggling in the preseason. The Jets released him, signed him back to the practice squad and elevated him to play over Blake Grupe. Stiggers downed a punt at the 2-yard line and Arian Smith made a tackle on a punt for a 5-yard loss.
COACHING: B
The Jets were prepared for this game. They started fast and didn’t let up. The play-calling on both sides was effective. The time management at the end of the first half was concerning and reminiscent of last year. That is something that needs to be cleaned up as well as the penalties. This game could have been a blowout.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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