2024-09-16 04:10:02
A 32-19 road loss to San Francisco in Week 1 sent Jets fans into full panic mode.
Even without their starting running back Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers still gashed the Jets on the ground, racking up 180 yards on 38 carries.
While replacing a quality All-Pro like McCaffrey is never easy, San Francisco has a history of plugging different backs into the system and succeeding. There’s also a thought that this San Francisco team might be even deeper and better than advertised.
Thus, if the 49ers are the cream of the crop, then the Jets deserve the benefit of the doubt against a lesser opponent when they visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | -3.5 (-115) | -196 | o41.5 (-105) |
| Titans | +3.5 (-105) | +164 | U41.5 (-115) |
Financial incentives and the fear of injuries have marginalized the importance of preseason in today’s game.
The 49ers were Aaron Rodgers’ first opponent since tearing his Achilles a year ago. Despite all the glowing reports out of New York regarding the quarterback’s rehab, you can’t mimic the in-game experience.
The Jets were also practically breaking in a new offensive line with tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, and left guard John Simpson.
While the offense was guilty of two turnovers that led to points for the 49ers, the defensive performance was even more objectionable, given how San Francisco ran the ball down their throats.
Rodgers at least took some responsibility for his part in the loss.
“I can play better,” he said. “I missed a couple of throws. … I felt overall I was getting the ball out pretty good, but we had some opportunities that I’d like to have back.”
Both teams converted six third-down opportunities and completed 19-of-29 passes, though San Francisco had a slight edge in yards per play (5.7 vs. 5.4) and passing yards (221 vs. 198).
Could the Jets have played better? Absolutely. But this is only the first game of an 18-week schedule. Let’s not get too carried away.
The Titans’ loss was even more humiliating than that by the Jets. After jumping out to a 17-0 lead, Tennessee committed three second-half turnovers and allowed two touchdowns on defense and special teams before losing 24-17 to Chicago and rookie QB Caleb Williams.
On Monday, coach Brian Callahan might’ve delivered the best quote of the year, saying, “It’s almost as if we just punted it on first-and-10 every time, we might’ve won the game the way that we gave it away.”
Those comments aren’t exactly a vote of confidence for the offense and second-year quarterback Will Levis, who threw for just 127 yards on 19-of-32 attempts and finished with a 30.8 QBR rating.
Much of the Titans’ success came on the ground with 140 rushing yards on 26 attempts (5.4 yards per carry). However, if Levis is going to struggle in the passing game, the Jets can be more aggressive in loading the box to stop the run.
Going up against a Tennessee offense more reliant on its rushing attack might be a blessing in disguise for this Jets’ run defense.
The last thing the Jets will want is a 0-2 start. Dating back to 1990, when the league added the wild card, 279 teams started the season 0-2, and only 32 went on to make the playoffs.
With Tennessee transitioning to a new starting quarterback and head coach, its fanbase is well aware the team is in the midst of a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Jets have a roster that is built to win now.
On Wednesday, Jets tight end Tyler Conklin revealed to the Post that after the game Rodgers delivered a message to the team that wasn’t much different from a decade ago in Green Bay when he famously told Packers fans to “R-E-L-A-X” following a 1-2 start.
Rodgers’ honesty and accountability will go a long way among his peers as he’s usually the first to lead by example.
While the Jets have some things to clean up on the practice field, they should look a lot better against a Titans team that doesn’t have nearly the same level of quality as the 49ers.
Best bet: Jets -3.5 (-110, bet365)
Michael Arinze handicaps most major sports for the New York Post. He’s cashed two 15-leg teasers in his betting career as well as a 12-leg parlay that included eight Little League World Series games. More recently, he accurately picked finalists in the 2024 European Championships and Copa America.
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