After a disappointing loss in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, the New York Jets head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. The Jets have a lot of questions to answer in this game, and little time to do so, considering their Week 3 matchup is a Thursday Night Football game against the New England Patriots. Yet they can’t look past the Titans, who should be a tough matchup themselves.
New York Jets vs. Tennessee Titans Matchup History
The Jets and Titans have played each other 46 times in the history of the NFL. Currently, Tennessee leads the series 25-20-1; however, the Jets have won three out of the last five matchups. Jets fans likely remember the matchup between the two teams in 2008, when Brett Favre led New York into Nashville and beat the then-undefeated Titans 34-13.
Key Players for the Jets
While Aaron Rodgers will always be a key player for the Jets, the offensive skill position players need to step up for New York. It remains to be seen if the first half of the 49ers game was scheme-related, or due to players not getting open, but someone outside of Allen Lazard, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall need to be utilized.
That means the burden is on the shoulders of Tyler Conklin, Xavier Gipson, and Malachi Corley. Mike Williams is unlikely to be seen in this game, but someone needs to step up to help lessen the load on the team’s primary players.
On the defensive side, Michael Clemons, Jermaine Johnson, and Will McDonald will be key for the Jets. Not only do they need to hold outside contain against the Titans’ rushing attack, but they must provide pressure on Will Levis. Last week the Jets defense were gashed by the 49ers’ running game, and that can’t happen again this week. If the Jets want to break even entering Week 3, they have to be able to force Levis to carry the Titans’ offense.
Key Players on the Titans
On offense, the key players for the Titans are running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Fans saw last week against the Chicago Bears that when the team steers away from the rushing attack, Levis doesn’t have the ability right now to carry the load on his shoulders. On top of that, the Jets have shown an inability to stop the run. It’s a weakness the Titans need to exploit.
Defensively, L’Jarius Sneed needs to be able to contain Wilson in this matchup. Wilson was a major focal point for the Jets in their Week 1 matchup against the 49ers. Stopping the Jets’ wide receiver would force the team to utilize other options, giving the Jets less room for error.
On top of that, T’Vondre Sweat should play a major factor in this game if the Titans want to win. If he can wreak havoc up the middle, it would force Rodgers to be mobile and maneuver the pocket – something he may not be able to do at this point in time.
Keys to the Game
For the Jets to win this game, there’s really two things that need to happen. Offensively, the team needs to keep Rodgers clean in the pocket. Mobility will likely be an issue for Rodgers early in the season. Because of that, giving him a clean pocket with direct passing lanes will do wonders for the team offensively.
The Jets also need to be able to involve more players in the game. They can’t go into a half with only three players (outside of Rodgers) touching the ball on offense. That should go without saying.
Defensively, the Jets need to prove they can stop the run. After getting gashed by the 49ers, New York has to prove they can stop the run. Being able to stop the run will force Levis to keep the Titans offense afloat, where the Jets passing defense can take advantage. If the team can’t stop the run, it will be a long day for the Jets in Nashville.
