The New York Jets go on the road to Nashville, Tennessee as they face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday to open their 2026 campaign. The Titans, as everybody will remind you this week, hired former Jets head coach Robert Saleh as their new head coach this offseason. That makes this a so-called “revenge game” for Saleh and the Titans, though in general I think the revenge angle is overrated in these games.
The Jets and the Titans both finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record. This is not exactly must
see TV for the average NFL fan. Both teams are looking to get off to a good start in 2026, and both fanbases view the opposing team as one of the games their team should win this season. Barring a tie, one team and their fans will go home disappointed and worried about “sheesh, if we are losing to the lowly [Jets/Titans] this is going to be a long season.” While it may well be a long season for one or both teams, I don’t think this is a so-called must win game for either team.
Aside from the inherent absurdity of labeling any one game at the beginning of the season a must win game, it probably makes sense to note that opening day has become increasingly unpredictable as NFL teams refuse to play their starters in the preseason. Many teams look completely unprepared on opening day, and surprising results abound. If the Jets win, great! If they don’t, I don’t think that means the season is a lost cause.
Let’s make a few predictions for the game on Sunday.
- The Jets revamped run defense starts the season with a bang, holding Titans running backs to less than 8o combined yards on the ground. The Jets have brought in a bunch of run stuffers this offseason, and the Titans offensive line is less than ideal. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears may find little space to run against the Jets thumpers.
- The Jets pass defense struggles as Cam Ward feeds Wandale Robinson, Tyjae Spears, Gunnar Helm and Carnell Tate against a suspect Jets secondary and linebackers. Ward was bad last year in his rookie season, but he ended the season on an up note. Over his last four complete games Ward threw eight touchdown passes and just one interception. In addition, Ward faced the toughest group of pass defenses of any quarterback in the NFL last season. The Jets are not a tough pass defense. Ward will take advantage. The Jets will struggle to get off the field on third down and Ward will throw for 250+ passing yards and two touchdowns.
- Former Jets pass rushers Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin Myers will get stonewalled most of the night by the Jets bookend tackles. They will combine for less than one sack. Jeffrey Simmons and the Titans interior linemen will, however, feast against the less sturdy interior of the Jets offensive line, combining for 2+ sacks.
- Geno Smith will throw for 250+ yards and two touchdowns, as the expected defensive struggle instead turns into a bit of a surprising shootout between Ward and Smith. Both quarterbacks take advantage of suspect secondaries.
- Breece Hall puts up 100+ yards from scrimmage and the Jets running backs run for 120+ rushing yards combined against a Titans run defense hurting from the loss of linebacker Cedric Gray to a concussion. Braelon Allen runs one in for a touchdown as the Jets take the opener, 27 – 20.
These predictions are just for fun. Betting based on some random dude on the internet having some fun would be very poor judgment and can be hazardous to your financial health. If you choose to bet on the game make your own calls. You can head over to our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook for all your gambling needs.
