Aaron Rodgers throws two TD passes as Jets bounce back with win over Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After a loss against the San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 1, the New York Jets were looking to rebound to get their first win of the season.

In what was an offensive struggle most of the day, the Jets gutted out a road victory.

Behind Aaron Rodgers‘ two touchdowns, the Jets (1-1) defeated the Tennessee Titans (0-2), 24-17, on a cloudy, 84-degree day at Nissan Stadium.

With 4:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, backup running back Braelon Allen’s 20-yard touchdown run gave the Jets a 24-17 lead.

The Titans got the ball back and drove the ball right down the field. On second-and-4, it appeared Titans quarterback Will Levis was about to be sacked, but he got away from the Jets defenders, rushed for a 16-yard gain and gave Tennessee an opportunity to tie the game with less than a minute left.

On 3rd and goal, Jets defensive end Will McDonald sacked Levis. Then, on fourth down, Levis’ pass was broken up by Tony Adams.

Sunday was Rodgers’ second game back from the season-ending Achilles tear he suffered a year ago. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Breece Hall rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries. He also finished with seven receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Like the game against the 49ers, Rodgers and the Jets offense had another slow start.

At the end of the first quarter, Rodgers registered just seven yards on 2 of 3 passes. But Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Rodgers finally got the passing game going in the second quarter after a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ended with an Allen touchdown.

Rodgers also led the Jets to a touchdown after halftime when he completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Breece Hall.

The Jets’ defense has received much criticism during the last six days. They allowed 180 rushing yards and eight consecutive scoring drives to the 49ers, and the Jets’ defensive line only recorded one sack.

That led to coach Robert Saleh vowing to fix the Jets defense beginning this week. Gang Green held Tennessee to 266 yards and forced two Levis turnovers, including one in the red zone during the second quarter.

After both teams stalled on their first drives of the game, the Titans found the end zone towards the end of the first quarter. After dicing the Jets defense up for 58 yards, wide receiver Calvin Ridley scored on a 10-yard end around to give Tennessee an early 7-0 advantage.

Just like a week ago, the Jets were plagued by penalties, conservative playcalling and a lack of consistent defensive pressure early on. They had five penalties in the first half and had several three-and-outs.

Levis has been known for his boneheaded plays, and one in the second quarter changed the complexion of the game. Up 7-0 and on the Jets’ 11-yard line on a 3rd and goal situation, Levis tried to avoid taking a sack after tripping over his blocker but inexplicably threw a backward pass to Tyjae Spears. However, the ball hit the ground, and Jets linebacker Quincy Williams picked it up on the 12 to end the Jets drive.

On the Titans’ next offensive drive, Levis threw an interception to Brandin Echols in double coverage. That turnover eventually led to the Jets’ first scoring drive, as Rodgers completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Allen. Tennessee led 10-7 at halftime after Nick Folk’s 41-yard field goal to end the first half.

At the start of the second half, the Jets’ offense appeared to go three and out after an incomplete pass to Mike Williams. But a questionable roughing the passer penalty on Jeffery Simmons gave the Jets a first down. That flag allowed the Jets to drive for another touchdown to go up 14-10 after Hall’s diving touchdown grab in the end zone.

The Jets added a field goal to go up 17-10 after Irv Charles’ blocked punt gave them the ball on the 30. Tennessee finally answered when Ridley laid out for a 40-yard touchdown catch from Levis that tied the game at 17-17.

Following a Titans three and out, Jets wide receiver Irv Charles blocked Ryan Stonehouse’s punt, and Gang Green took over on the Titans 30-yard-line.

The Jets were without starting cornerback D.J. Reed due to knee soreness after he missed Friday’s practice. Before Sunday’s game, Reed tested his knee by running drills with Jets trainers, but with the game against the Patriots on Thursday, they decided to keep him out.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley also left Sunday’s game due to a foot injury. He was carted off the field and later returned to the Jets’ sideline, but he didn’t return to the game.

The injuries continued for the Jets. Jermaine Johnson suffered a non-contact injury late in the third quarter, going down with an Achilles injury, and was later carted off the field.

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