NFL Week 2: Jets at Titans
Two 0-1 teams duke it out in Nashville.
Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m. ET, Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN), CBS
Two teams that came into 2024 with high hopes saw their seasons start off on the wrong foot. The Jets were grounded in San Francisco Monday night, while the Titans frittered away their season opener in Chicago, thanks to costly special teams breakdowns and crushing turnovers.
New York QB Aaron Rodgers looked old against a stout 49er defense, while his counterpart in Week 2, Will Levis, looked appallingly young in handing over points to the Bears. The vaunted Jets defense, roughed up by the 49ers running game, looks to get its swagger back. Pressuring Levis early in this game might be just the tonic, but Gang Green needs to control the Tennessee rushing attack.
The Jets have a fairly favorable schedule for the next few weeks. They start of that stretch with a road win over Tennessee. Rodgers bounces back, and Levis just can’t help but make a few costly mistakes.
PICK: Jets 22, Titans 13
Key matchups
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ) vs. CB L’Jarius Sneed (TEN): Wilson got off to a fast start Monday, catching four passes on the Jets’ second drive of the game. He was held to one grab the rest of the way. Look for Rodgers to feature him throughout Sunday’s game. Sneed can be one of the league’s best corners when locked in, but Wilson’s quickness and explosiveness in space can be a chore to deal with. We like the NY receiver to get the better of this matchup.
T Tyron Smith (NYJ) vs. DE Jeffrey Simmons (TEN): Smith did not allow a sack in the loss to SF but did commit two penalties. His play against Simmons will be a key Sunday in ensuring Rodgers has time to throw. It still seems that Simmons dominates mostly under the radar. He not only collapses the pocket on passing plays, but he can be hell to run against. This could be one of Sunday’s most fascinating battles but give the edge to the Titans Pro Bowl end.
