Through failure, we sometimes learn life’s greatest lessons. Iconic basketball coach John Wooden said, “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.” The New York Jets took that mentality into Tennessee for a matchup against the Titans. Both the Titans and Jets were looking for their first victory of the season. The Jets lost to the 49ers on Monday and the Titans lost to the Bears in Caleb Williams’ debut in Chicago.
It was overall an ugly game for both teams. The Jets’ defense was without DJ Reed before losing both CJ Mosley and Jermaine Johnson mid-game. A turnover-free game on offense but a very polarizing performance from Aaron Rodgers. Thankfully for the veteran quarterback, his two running backs led the way and rookie Braelon Allen made a big impact in his first NFL win.
.@BraelonAllen the man that you are!!
📺 #NYJvsTEN on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/zO6PvNHEnR
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 15, 2024
Music City Mayhem: Jets Rookie Late Game Heroics Lead to Win
The Jets needed a spark after Monday’s loss. While the 49ers are a formidable team as the reigning NFC Champions, the team’s performance on run defense without Chrisitan McCaffrey on the field was uninspired. It also came at the cost of DJ Reed, who was unavailable after what’s been reported as knee soreness.
The Titans started with the ball and a quick three-and-out had fans hopeful that the Jets defense would look like their normal selves. But, it was a slow start on offense. Despite Breece Hall running for a first down, a rare intentional grounding penalty by Aaron Rodgers cost the Jets ten yards. After that, the offense punted away, and Tennesee responded with a time-consuming drive. The Titans went 68 yards through nine plays leading to a 10-yard Calvin Ridley jetsweep for the lead. The Titans were up 7-0 after using over six minutes on that drive. The first quarter ended with the Jets only gaining 11 yards of offense and a costly delay of game penalty from the esteemed Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers: Good but too many little things missed
Disaster struck seconds into the second quarter when the team lost veteran linebacker CJ Mosley to a toe injury. He’d miss the remainder of the game but head coach Robert Saleh told reporters post-game that he’d be available on Thursday. Second-year edge rusher Will McDonald made a huge tackle on Levis to force a fumble deep in Jets territory that was recovered by Quincy Williams. But Rodgers was useless the following drive, taking a sack, and missing Breece Hall on first and ten. Thankfully, Brandin Echols forced the second turnover of the day hauling in a deep throw by Levis for the interception.
Running Backs to the Rescue
The offense finally got some life with minutes remaining in the second quarter. Despite a slow start, Breece Hall and the offense were starting to get in rhythm. One surprise was seeing Nathaniel Hackett bring in rookie Braelon Allen in the second quarter. His first play was an 11-yard run for the first down. 23 yards responsible for that drive and finished off by catching his first career touchdown to tie the game. The youngest player in the NFL, Braelon Allen became the youngest player to record a touchdown in 50 years. However, the defense allowed Tennessee to charge down the field and kick the go-ahead FG before the half.
TD for rookie @BraelonAllen!! 💨💨💨
📺 #NYJvsTEN on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/A7Y4rgCdnL
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 15, 2024
With the ball to start the third quarter, this is where Hall and Allen shined. Breece Hall runs for 30 yards to get into Titans territory, setting them up outside the red zone. Aaron Rodgers finds Breece Hall for a 26-yard touchdown pass; giving New York the lead for the first time today. The defense held their own the following two drives, allowing negative six yards of total offense and a blocked punt.
Victory comes at a cost.
The blocked punt allowed New York to tack on a field goal for the 17-10 lead. But tragedy would strike the following drive. Jermaine Johnson II, the rising star at defensive end, was injured on third and one at the Titans 38. He missed the remainder of the game, and the latest reports indicate an Achilles injury. Johnson’s absence would be a massive loss for the Jets defensive line that’s struggled without Haason Reddick.
BREECE THE BEAST BABY!!!!!!
📺 #NYJvsTEN on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/qZbNuEqcnJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 15, 2024
Momentum was on the Titans side, as Levis found Calvin Ridley on a 40-yard dart at the one for the game-tying touchdown with three minutes left in the third. Both teams punted on their next two drives as the game remained tied with under nine minutes left. The Jets needed a response and they followed through. Rodgers connected to Garrett Wilson for a 26-yard pass to get New York into Tennessee territory. In what was his most impressive pass of the day, Rodgers found Mike Williams for a huge 19-yard gain. This helped set up what would be the go-ahead 20-yard touchdown run by Braelon Allen. New York was now in the lead 24-17.
In their last attempts to tie the game, Tennessee put a productive drive together, getting to the Jets eight-yard line with under 1:30 on the clock. However, a timely Will McDonald sack on third and goal forced Will Levis to throw on fourth down. Thankfully safety Tony Adams’ fingertips forced the incompletion to Tyler Boyd, sealing the Jets first win of the year.
What awaits at home vs. New England on Thursday?
The victory couldn’t come at a better time as New York returns to Metlife to play their first home game of the year against New England on Thursday. The Patriots are coming off a crushing overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. New York will likely not have Jermaine Johnson this game, nor the remainder of the season potentially. However, the Jets running back room proved their resourcefulness today. Breece Hall with over 111 total yards and a touchdown and Braelon Allen with two touchdowns and 56 total yards. Aaron Rodgers needs to keep relying on these two if New York is going to prove they are ready for the playoffs.
Main Photo: [Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean] – USA Today Sports
