Jets vs Titans: Key Matchups and Predictions

At long last, the New York Jets are set to kick off their 2026 season this Sunday.  Gang Green will travel to Tennessee where they’ll face their former head coach, Robert Saleh.  Saleh won’t be the only familiar face on hand either.

Former Jets John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Tony Adams, Jacob Martin and Solomon Thomas are all on the Titans roster while former Jets safety Isaiah Oliver is on their practice squad with running back Michael Carter.  But where are the key matchups to keep an eye on in this one?  Let’s take a look.

NT T’Vondre Sweat vs C Austin Schlottmann: Having missed almost all of training camp, Sweat might be on a pitch count early on.  But when he’s on the field in a 3-4 alignment, he should be a force in the middle who can give Schlottmann all he can handle and more.

WR AD Mitchell vs CB Alontae Taylor: When all is said and done, Garrett Wilson may have a bigger day than Taylor, but when Mitchell draws him in coverage, he’s more likely to see one-on-one matchups.  If that’s the case, look for Geno Smith to target Mitchell deep down the field against a cornerback who has allowed fourteen passing touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Edge David Bailey vs LT Dan Moore: Moore surrendered ten sacks last season and 28 over the past three years.  Even worse might be the fact that in total, he has surrendered 144 total pressures in that time.  Bailey has earned rave reviews from onlookers from the second he arrived at 1 Jets Drive and looked like the real deal during preseason action.  Look for either Bailey or Will McDonald to come away with at least one sack in this one.

Jets TE room vs LB Cody Barton: 

Cody Barton has allowed 79% of passes that come his way to be completed.  With the likes of Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jelani Woods and Jeremy Ruckert set to line up at tight end, there could be a chance to make some impact plays.

DT Jeffery Simmons vs Josh Myers: If you’re the Titans, you have to be licking your chops at the chance to turn Simmons loose on Josh Myers.  Of course the Jets will give Myers help whenever possible, but of course that could leave the Jets guards going 1-on-1 with John Franklin Myers.

DL John Franklin-Myers vs Gs Joe Tippmann and Dylan Parham: Franklin-Myers has remained one of the most consistent and versatile defensive linemen in the league for several years.  He’s a guy who can play all over the defensive line who you can count on for 6-8 sacks and 50+ pressures.  He has hit one or both of those marks in each of the past six seasons.  If the Jets want to get anything going on the ground, both guards will have to play at a high level to get Franklin-Myers out of Breece Hall’s running lanes.

Prediction:

Losing to Robert Saleh would be a nightmare scenario for Woody Johnson.  Aaron Glenn, in his lone season, looked worse than Saleh ever did.  But with that said, we like the Jets in this one as we think Geno Smith will connect with his wide receivers down the field multiple times while the Jets pass rush will make life difficult for Cam Ward to settle in.

Jets: 20
Titans: 17

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