Final Score: Jets Win!

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 13: Kenyon Sadiq #16 of the New York Jets scores a rushing touchdown against James Williams Sr. #52 of the Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In the New York Jets' 2026 season opener, on a stifling hot day in Nashville, Tennessee, the Jets defeated the Tennessee Titans, 23 - 10.

The game opened on a positive note for the Jets, as the Titans kicked off out of bounds. That gave the Jets the ball on the 40 yard line with a short field for the offense to open the 2026 season. The Jets took advantage. The rookies led the way, as Omar Cooper Jr had a big 30 yard catch and run and Kenyon Sadiq ran the ball in for a three yard touchdown as the Jets took an early 7 - 0 lead. It's just one drive, but this was how Jets fans envisioned the offense looking this year.

The Titans took over on offense and put together a nice drive of their own as the Jets defense struggled to get off the field on third down. In an ominous development Minkah Fitzpatrick went down with an apparent groin injury. The Titans eventually had to settle for a Joey Slye field goal to make the score Jets 7, Titans 3 late in the first quarter.

On the Jets next possession they went on a long, grinding drive dominated by the ground game. The drive took up a large chunk of the second quarter before it bogged down and the Jets settled for a short field goal. That made it Jets 10, Titans 3 late in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff the Jets forced a fumble and Qwan'tez Stiggers recovered the ball to give the Jets great field position inside Titans territory. The Jets unfortunately squandered the golden opportunity as their drive went nowhere and Jason Sanders missed a long field goal attempt.

The Jets had a chance to tack on points in the last minute of the first half, but they ran a really ugly sequence of plays with multiple penalties as the clock an out. The quarter and the half ended with the score still Jets 10, Titans 3.

The Jets opened the third quarter on defense. After giving up a couple of touchdowns through the air the Jets forced a Titans punt. The Jets offense took over and promptly went on a long drive highlighted by a 40 yard bomb from Geno Smith to Adonai Mitchell. Breece Hall ran the ball in from the four yard line as the Jets took a 17 - 3 lead early in the third quarter.

The next time the Jets got the football they again went on a long drive as the Geno Smith to Garrett Wilson heated up. Braelon Allen scored an apparent touchdown on a long run, but a holding call negated the touchdown and the Jets settled for a 51 yard Jason Sanders field goal to take a commanding 20 - 3 lead late in the third quarter. The quarter ended with the score still 20 - 3 in favor of the Jets.

Early in the fourth quarter Will McDonald broke through with a sack of Cam Ward on the one yard line. The Titans were forced to punt shortly thereafter and the Jets got the ball in prime scoring position in Titans territory. A score here would all but end the game. Alas, it wasn't in the cards. The Jets went nowhere and were forced to punt. Qwan'tez Stiggers continued his outstanding special teams play by downing the punt inside the two yard line, putting the Titans 98 yards away from a much needed touchdown. Barring a miracle, the game appeared to be all but over with less than 10 minutes to go and the Titans needing three scores. The Jets tacked on a 52 yard field goal with a little over five minutes to play to make the score Jets 23, Titans 3. The Titans put together a meaningless touchdown drive in garbage time to get them within 13 points at Jets 23, Titans 10.

Final score: Jets 23, Titans 10. For one game at least the Jets performed just like they drew it up in the offseason. Geno Smith was efficient and protected the ball. The offensive line dominated. The running game kept the ball away from the Titans. The pass rush kept the pressure on Cam Ward. The revamped defensive front seven shut down the Titans running game. The Jets appeared to outcoach the Titans. Special teams were great. It was a complete, dominant win to start the season. Wasn't that fun?

The win brought the Jets' record to 1-0. Now the Jets have to put the win behind them and get ready for a much more difficult challenge as they prepare for their home opener next week against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.