Jets dominate Titans in season opener, ending 11-year winless streak in Week 1
New York defeated Tennessee 23-10 on Sunday, snapping an 11-year streak of season-opening losses. The Jets' defense controlled the game against their former coach's team. The victory offers optimism for a franchise that didn't win its first game until Week 8 last season.
The victory marked Geno Smith's first start for the Jets in over a decade, returning to the franchise that drafted him before his ACL tear. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq scored on a designed run play, reaching 20.09 mph — the fastest recorded by any Jets tight end since tracking began.
The Jets' defense controlled the game against Robert Saleh's Titans, giving head coach Aaron Glenn his first win. Owner Woody Johnson expressed genuine satisfaction afterward. The team's 2025 season was so poor that their first victory didn't arrive until late October, making this early success particularly meaningful for the franchise.
This win could shift the narrative around a franchise that has struggled with early-season momentum for over a decade. For Jets fans, the psychological boost of a Week 1 victory may translate into greater engagement and optimism throughout the season. The result also places pressure on Robert Saleh's Titans, potentially affecting job security discussions. However, one game against a weak opponent offers limited evidence of sustained improvement, and broader league impact remains modest.