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Key takeaways from Jets-Titans: New York's injury concerns and Will Levis' turnover problem

16 September 2024Last Update :
Key takeaways from Jets-Titans: New York's injury concerns and Will Levis' turnover problem

NFL Week 2 scores and live updates: Schedule, injuries, news, predictions, and analysis

It’s tough to say a Week 2 game was a must-win. But the New York Jets surely didn’t want to begin Aaron Rodgers’ first (healthy) season 0-2 — and they overcame a slow start to defeat the Tennessee Titans 24-17 on Sunday for their first win of the year.

Two touchdowns by rookie running back Braelon Allen — including the go-ahead score with less than five minutes remaining — and one by Breece Hall were enough on a day the Jets defense created two turnovers and stopped the Titans in the red zone in the final seconds. New York didn’t leave Nashville, unscathed, though, suffering two key injuries on defense.

Tennessee, meanwhile, is 0-2, losing both games by the same score. Quarterback Will Levis once again traded flashes of potential with baffling mistakes.

The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt and Joe Rexrode break down the key talking points.

How did the Jets offense look in Week 2?

It was often ugly for the Jets offense, but it did just enough to win — especially on a crucial scoring drive in the fourth quarter highlighted by an impressive 19-yard catch by Mike Williams on a 50-50 ball down the sideline, and capped by a 20-yard touchdown run from Allen, the rookie fourth-round pick.

Rodgers (18-of-30, 176 yards, two touchdowns) didn’t always look sharp, held onto the ball too long a few too many times and the Jets offense struggled to get the ball to the line of scrimmage in a timely manner. But Rodgers still had some signature highlight throws, especially on his 26-yard touchdown pass to Hall.

The offense was far from perfect, but the Jets’ defense feels like a bigger concern — it could’ve been ugly if not for a couple of bad Levis turnovers. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer

Jets’ injuries on defense a major worry

An underrated reason for the Jets’ success on defense in 2022 and 2023: injury luck. It seems that luck ran out in 2024.

On Sunday, the Jets lost their defensive captain and leader when linebacker C.J. Mosley left in the first half with a toe injury and didn’t return. Coach Robert Saleh said he hoped Mosley could return for Thursday’s game against the New England Patriots. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson II suffered what Saleh said looks like a torn Achilles — which would end his season. And cornerback D.J. Reed didn’t play due to a knee injury.

All three are among the most important players on the Jets defense. Losing any for a significant period could be highly detrimental, especially because the defense hasn’t looked great to start the season. Johnson’s injury in particular is damaging because the Jets lack depth and talent at defensive end — especially with Haason Reddick still holding out.

On the bright side: 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV showed some juice on Sunday, getting three sacks — matching the total he had all of last season. — Rosenblatt

Levis better, but plagued by mind-numbing turnovers

Levis was going down on a sack, had no play available that would give his team any kind of significant help, but tried to make one anyway — and paid for it with a turnover no NFL quarterback should make.

Sound familiar?

It cost the Titans the game in Week 1 at Chicago. It was not that bad this time around, but Levis’ backward flip attempt to Tyjae Spears cost the Titans points and had coach Brian Callahan screaming loud, profane words at Levis as a result. This was in the first half, and Levis rebounded to play better than he did a week earlier: 19-for-28, 192 yards and a 40-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley. He also had an interception, though it was a deep ball into the hands of Treylon Burks that was ripped away by Brandin Echols.

Levis got the Titans to the Jets’ 8-yard line late but could not deliver a tying touchdown. So call it incremental progress with continued concern about panicky decision making. — Joe Rexrode, Nashville columnist

Titans defense deserves better through 2 games

Once again, a terrific Titans defensive effort was stymied by the offense and kicking game — incredibly, the Titans had a punt blocked for the second straight week. That gave the Jets three free points.

New York managed just 265 total yards, with Rodgers under duress much of the day. Harold Landry sacked him twice and he had few opportunities to take shots downfield. But the Jets did put things together on a 74-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter for the winning points, with Titans star Jeffery Simmons late to the gap on the Allen run to win.

The Titans looked tired late, and that’s probably not surprising. Though they’ve been stingy, they have yet to force a turnover this season, and the Titans are minus-4 as a team. — Rexrode

Required reading

  • Jets’ Allen Lazard has a simple explanation for his Week 1 return to form
  • Haason Reddick, anyone? Jets defensive line a concern after 49ers loss
  • NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Let’s overreact! Chargers, Bucs up; Bengals, Falcons down
  • The Athletic’s NFL QB stock report, Week 2: Stroud, Mayfield shine, Cousins, Levis plummet

(Photo: Justin Ford / Getty Images)

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