NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The New York Jets made big moves and changes this offseason trying to shake up a franchise mired in a decade of losses. In one game, they got exactly what they wanted. Breece Hall rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, Geno Smith threw for 215 yards in his Jets’ comeback and the Jets defeated Tennessee 23-10 on Sunday to spoil Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh’s debut against his former team. “We just follow our plan and that’s it,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “That’s it. We’re happy to get a win. It’s just a game.” The Jets never trailed, leading 10-3 at halftime with the touchdown scored by rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and held the ball for about 39 minutes. Smith, drafted by New York in 2013 and acquired from Las Vegas in March, finished 19 of 24 while efficiently moving new coordinator Frank Reich’s offense. “We started fast and obviously kept our foot on the gas and tried to stay balanced throughout,” Smith said. The game matched franchises that went 3-14 last season and led the Titans to hire Saleh, who coached the Jets since 2021 before being fired after five games in 2024, in January in hopes of ending four straight losing seasons. Tennessee also spent the most in the NFL in March adding free agents. “A little birdie told us they wrote some checks that they couldn’t cash today,” Hall said with a laugh. The Jets, meanwhile, have the longest playoff drought in North America’s four major men’s sports leagues, with Glenn beginning his second season in New York. The Jets left Music City with their first season-opening win since 2023. A team that began last season by losing its first seven under Glenn and lost its last five dominated Tennessee with a 367-195 advantage in total offense. The Jets also had a 19-play drive that consumed nearly 12 minutes of the first half. “I’m very disappointed,” Ward said. “We are better than we show.” With Glenn leading the defense this season, rookie running back David Bailey, the second overall pick, had one of three sacks for the Jets, who chased Titans quarterback Cam Ward throughout the game. Linebacker Demario Davis, among the free agent additions, led the defense in tackles, while offseason addition Kingsley Enagbare had a sack. “They got after us,” said Saleh, who called plays for the Titans on defense after not doing so for the Jets. Ward was 19 of 32 for 140 yards and a late touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor. Glenn deactivated kicker Blake Grupe, who was claimed off waivers Aug. 31 from Indianapolis, and went with Jason Sanders, who was elevated from the practice squad. Sanders scored field goals of 33, 51 and 52 yards, bouncing after a 54-yard attempt short and left. Titans kicker Joey Slye pushed the kickoff out of bounds to call a penalty, and Saleh had to call a timeout to avoid a penalty for 12 men on the field. All-Pro returner Chimere Dike was pushed by a teammate on his first attempt to field a punt. Once cleared from a concussion check, Dike lost a fumble on a kickoff. Former running back Chris Johnson was unable to attend Sunday when the Titans were set to induct him into their ring of honor. The Titans continued to honor the man nicknamed CJ2K after becoming the sixth man in NFL history to rush for at least 2,000 yards. Johnson announced in June that he had been diagnosed with ALS. Jets: Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick injured her groin in the first quarter and did not return. Rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. hurt his ankle in the first and never returned. Glenn said: “I’m not too worried about them at all.” Titans: Dike was hurt on his first opportunity to return a punt when teammate Micah Robinson was pushed back toward Dike. He was evaluated for a concussion and cleared to return. Jets: Host Green Bay in their home opener on September 20. Titans: Host Philadelphia on Sept. 20.—Watch AP’s complete NFL coverage here Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and the Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and the Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
