Jets dominate Titans in Robert Saleh's Tennessee debut.
The Jets beat the Titans 23-10 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, controlling the game from the opening drive. Geno Smith's return to New York produced an efficient, turnover-free performance in coach Aaron Glenn's second season.
- Smith finished 19 of 24 for 215 yards with zero turnovers.
- Tennessee managed only 112 total yards through the first three quarters.
- Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq scored the Jets' first touchdown of the season.
- Kicker Jason Sanders hit two field goals of 51 and 52 yards in the second half.
Why it matters: The result carries symbolic weight for both franchises. The Jets entered with a 5.5-win over/under after going 3-14 in 2025; the Titans also finished 3-14 last season.
- Saleh, fired by the Jets five games into 2024, faced his former employer in his first game as Tennessee's head coach.
- The Jets had gone the entire 2025 season without recording an interception — the first team to do so since the stat was tracked starting in 1933.
How 8 sources split on this story
Where they split: Preview coverage split on whether Smith or Cam Ward would give their team the edge; the final score settled it in Smith's favor, though Ward's long-term development remains the open question.
Center coverage, 6 sources: The center frames the game as a measuring stick for two rebuilding teams, with Smith's efficiency and the Jets' offseason additions offering cautious optimism about incremental progress.
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Reuters3dJets dominate Titans to ruin Robert Saleh's Tennessee debutRight coverage, 2 sources: The right frames the win as a vindication for Glenn and Smith, emphasizing the Jets' dominance and the emotional stakes of handing Saleh a loss against his former franchise.
What’s next: Ward's performance under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will face continued scrutiny heading into Week 2.
- Rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. left with an ankle injury and his status is unclear.
- Can Cam Ward develop into the franchise quarterback Tennessee built around him after a second consecutive slow start?
- Was the Jets' offensive performance a sign of genuine improvement, or a product of a limited Titans defense?