It was not a great start to the 2024 season for the New York Jets to say the least.
Multiple players underperformed in the 32-19 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and it should serve as a wake-up call ahead of the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The season opener wasn't a total disaster for the Jets as some players flashed greatness.
Here's one stud and one dud from Monday Night Football.
Stud: CB Sauce Gardner
The Jets' defense, as a whole, looked nothing like the one we saw the past two years. Through all of the putrid play from the unit, superstar CB Sauce Gardner was one of the few outliers that showed out.
The two-time All-Pro logged three tackles, including a sack, and his elite coverage ability was on full display. Gardner had 30 coverage snaps, allowed only one target and zero catches. He also made a spectacular play in the first half of the game on 49ers' WR1 Brandon Aiyuk, breaking up a pass that looked destined for a huge gain.
Now, Gardner wasn't perfect, having missed a tackle in the run game, but he lived up to his reputation as a lockdown corner. Also, his numbers could've been even better if he wasn't taken out of the game for a few plays after it seemed like he'd hurt his shoulder.
Dud: DE Jermaine Johnson
With all of the horrid performances on the defensive side of the ball, Jermaine Johnson had his worst game as a pro.
The third-year veteran was stonewalled by 49ers left tackle Trent Williams the entire night. Johnson had 10 rushes on Williams, amounting zero pressures as he was ultimately a ghost in pass rush situations. He was a liability in the run game as well, totaling only two tackles as the 49ers racked up 180 rush yards.
Pro Football Focus graded Johnson (30.1) as the game's worst performer. He ended his night with a 25.3 tackling grade. With the Titans on the horizon, Johnson will have a great chance to play like the top-tier talent that he is versus a lackluster offensive line.
More New York Jets News:
• Rodgers, $44 million receiver turn back time vs. vaunted 49ers' defense
• Jets' two key offseason WR additions complete non-factors in season opener
• Jets sign former Vikings' All-Pro kick returner
• Jets make three 2023 draft picks inactive for season opener vs. 49ers
• Jets add former Packers' center, Dolphins' linebacker to active roster
