The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Tennessee Titans, who were dominated by the New York Jets, 23-10, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville to kick off the 2026 regular season.
Cam Ward and the offense couldn't establish anything, and the Jets dominated on the ground and in time of possession on an incredibly hot day at the stadium. Tennessee's defense managed zero pressure in Robert Saleh's debut and allowed New York to have their way.
The Jets were the better team in all three phases of the game, and Tennessee starts the Saleh era with a thud.
Final Score: Jets 23, Titans 10
Keys to the Game
- Titans could not get off the field: The Titans' defense made zero impact, and the Jets' offensive line dominated in the trenches. The Jets wore down Tennessee and controlled the tempo throughout. Jeffery Simmons and the front seven got pushed around all afternoon, and it made for a long afternoon.
- Offensive line struggled: The retooled Titans offensive line couldn't hold up against the Jets' active front, and the Titans couldn't get anything going. Cam Ward was under pressure on most passing attempts, and the running game was mostly invisible.
- Change takes time: Tennessee made wholesale changes to its coaching staff and roster, and it showed against the Jets. The Titans struggled with communication issues, and the team looked out of sync on both sides of the ball.
- Titans missed Cedric Gray: The Titans defense played without Cedric Gray, who missed the game due to a concussion. Without their 2025 leading tackler, the defense couldn't match up with the Jets' offense.
It was over when...
When Jets running back Breece Hall plunged in from four yards out to extend the lead to 17-3 in the third quarter. With the Titans' offense struggling to get anything going, a two-score
deficit was more than they could ever overcome.
Players of the Game
- Anthony Hill Jr.: Hill made his first start for the Titans and was all over the field. The rookie linebacker led the Titans in tackles and proved he can handle calling the signals. It was a great debut and something to build upon moving forward. He finished the game with 16 total tackles and had a memorable debut.
- Tommy Townsend: The Titans got nothing going on offense, and Townsend was the most consistent weapon on the day. The veteran punter made his Titans debut and looked to be in mid-season form.
- Femi Oladejo: Oladejo made his return after missing most of his rookie season with a broken leg, and was a physical presence when he was on the field. He finished with only three total tackles, but came to play and brought much-needed energy.
Injuries
The Titans appear to have made it through the contest without any added injuries, leaving linebacker Cedric Gray as the only player who will be monitored heading into Week 2.
What's next?
Titans head coach Robert Saleh will meet with reporters on Monday afternoon to wrap up the week and set the stage for Week 2. Select players will be made available after Saleh.
Tennessee will return to practice on Wednesday ahead of a Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon CDT.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans embarrassed by Jets, 23-10, to open 2026 with a thud
