In the third quarter, there was a flash.
THE New York Jets I saw a flash of why they paid big to trade for Aaron Rodgers, a flash of why their hopes were so high last season before he tore his Achilles tendon, and a flash of why simply inserting Rodgers in place of his predecessor Zach Wilson This year was a change radical enough to ignite a spark.
Rodgers dropped back and ignored the collapsing pocket around him. He treated the running back Breece Room Like the receiver he was imitating, Hall caught a contested catch in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown.
The Jets took their first lead of the game with 12:13 left in the third quarter.
But control of the game was precarious.
The Jets ultimately survived the Tennessee Titans24-19, to improve to .500 ahead of a divisional game Thursday night with New England Patriots.
They achieved this despite a hesitant passing game and especially despite a hesitant downward passing game.
Rodgers completed just three passes of more than nine yards in an 18-of-30 day in which he threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns. But a solid outing from the Jets’ running back duo, coupled with an up-and-down day from the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback, Will Levisgave the Jets the lead.
Hall, who already played well last season in his return from a torn ACL, anchored the Jets with 114 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown reception.
Breece Hall here looks like a WR not a RB. I also believe this was the first time Rodgers completed a ball over 7 yards in the air.
This is what the Jets need from their QBpic.twitter.com/GVG2y01KTo
– Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) September 15, 2024
The Jets also showed unexpected confidence in the fourth-round rookie running back Braelon Allenwho scored first on a 12-yard touchdown run after Rodgers threw the ball to him behind the line of scrimmage. Allen then scored the 20-yard touchdown that gave the ball the lead, running through defenders on the ground.
Tennessee blew a lead for the second straight week, with Levis also giving up a costly turnover for the second straight game. After throwing an interception at the The Chicago Bears In the opening game, Levis fumbled the ball while trying to stop a sack and threw an interception on his next snap when the Jets’ cornerback Brandin Echols managed to snatch a deep pass from the Titans receiver Treylon Burks‘ hands.
Tennessee’s brightest moment of the game came when Ridley caught a 40-yard bomb from Levis between the Jets’ cornerbacks Gardner Sauce and security Chuck Clark.
Tennessee finally had a chance to rally until the final 17 seconds of the game, but an out-of-bounds pass, a sack and a fumble Tyler Boyd completed Tennessee’s final drive.
The Jets’ defense looked better than it did against the 49ers in Week 1, but also lost linebacker CJ Moseley and cornerback Jermaine Johnson to injuries.
Johnson was quickly sidelined with an Achilles injury.
Levis completed 19 of 28 passes for 129 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He ran four times for 38 yards and fumbled the ball once.
Titans running back Tony Pollard added 40 receiving yards and 62 rushing yards, while Ridley caught four of six targets for 77 yards and the touchdown.
