After a cross-country season-opening trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, the New York Jets are back on the road in Week 2.
The Jets will attempt to notch their first win while going up against a Tennessee Titans team that suffered a Week 1 fourth-quarter meltdown against the Chicago Bears.
While the Titans lost, 24-17, despite not allowing an offensive touchdown to the Bears, the Jets allowed virtual unknown running back Jordan Mason to rush for 147 yards in the 49ers' 32-19 triumph on Monday Night Football.
The Monday night opener means New York will have to play on the road on a short week, a potentially intangible advantage for the Titans in what will be their home opener. In his weekly selections, The Sporting News senior writer Vinnie Iyer tabs New York to prevail in a tight game.
The Jets are consensus four-point favorites over the Titans in point-spread wagering. Dropping a "winnable" game as a four-point road favorite would be a missed opportunity that could easily come back to haunt the Jets down the stretch. New York, however, is predicted to avoid such a situation by pulling out a win in Nashville.
From NFL picks, predictions against the spread Week 2:
- Jets (-4, 42 o/u) at Titans
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jets are coming off a short week and will need to grind out a tricky road game against a much-improved defense under Dennard Wilson that didn't give up an offensive TD last week. The reprieve will be facing a struggling Will Levis early in Year 2. The Titans will have a tough time helping him consistently answer what Aaron Rodgers does while leaning more on the run.
Pick: Jets win 20-17 but fail to cover the spread. — Vinnie Iyer
Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh sounds confident in his defense's ability to rebound from a lackluster Week 1 performance.
"In the second half, I felt like we got to it. We played better in the run game, they had the one explosive, but it's definitely going to get fixed. I'm not discouraged in any way. Obviously, they executed a hell of a lot better than we did and we'll be better for it," said Saleh while addressing reporters virtually on Tuesday.
As the defense was gashed in the run game, the Jets' offensive line seemingly struggled to open enough holes for running back Breece Hall. New York was defeated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
"Just like we've responded in the past, we'll respond again, but these professional athletes they're very proud and very prideful. They want to get it fixed. They want to do well, and I think we'll answer the bell," said Saleh.
More New York Jets News:
• Saleh's encouraging update for Jets' key offseason addition on offense
• Allen Lazard's two-word response on difference from first season with Jets
• Jets' veteran starter potentially on hot seat heading into NFL Week 2
• Why this Jets' defender has most to prove in Week 2 vs. Titans
• Jets sign former seven-year starter to Practice Squad as OL insurance
