The New York Jets started the 2026 NFL season on a great note in Tennessee this past Sunday, soaring to a 23-10 victory over the Titans to secure their first Week 1 win since 2023.
Making his return to the Jets for the first time since 2016 was quarterback Geno Smith, who, despite not recording a touchdown, appeared to excel under offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s scheme. He completed 19 of 24 pass attempts for 215 yards, his most since November 2025. He notably spread the ball around, completing passes to eight different targets throughout the game, with his favorite being Garrett Wilson (seven targets, 79 yards) and Adonai Mitchell (three targets, 60 yards).
The real lightning bolt for the Jets was running back Breece Hall. Behind a dominant performance from the offensive line, Hall rushed for 102 yards on 22 carries, including a third-quarter touchdown. The fifth-year running back also contributed through the air, catching two passes for 16 yards.
The Jets’ defense, led by David Bailey, Kingsley Enagbare, and Will McDonald IV, held the Titans to just 10 points while recording three sacks and forcing seven punts. New York also won the turnover battle, forcing and recovering a fumble in the second quarter.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s contest against the Green Bay Packers, the Jets will look to build off their strong start and pull off an upset against an NFC powerhouse.
Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, the Packers’ defense completely fell apart in the fourth quarter, surrendering 22 points as their division rival stormed back for an improbable 39-22 victory. Even more concerning for Green Bay, the Vikings managed the comeback while relying on backup quarterback Carson Wentz for almost the entirety of the game.
While Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns, he struggled with consistency, completing just 50% of his passes. The Jets will still need to be on their A-game, however, as Love’s arm talent and aggressive playstyle could be on full display as he looks to bounce back from a crushing loss.
Green Bay’s offensive line also turned in a disastrous performance against Minnesota, allowing four sacks and 18 quarterback hits while surrendering pressure on more than half of Love’s dropbacks. That could create a significant mismatch in Week Two, with the Jets’ defensive line coming off a strong performance against the Titans, shutting down the run game and consistently pressuring the quarterback.
On the other side of the ball, Smith could have opportunities to attack a Packers secondary that struggled late against Minnesota, particularly against Wentz and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. If New York can establish the run with Hall and force Green Bay to respect the play-action game, Smith could find opportunities to make plays downfield.
Overall, the biggest question for the Jets heading into Sunday is whether their Week 1 performance was a sign of what this team can consistently produce, or simply a strong opening-day showing against a lackluster Tennessee team. Sunday’s matchup against Green Bay will be a huge indicator of who this Jets team is.
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