The New York Jets will look to get back on track this Sunday after their embarrassing Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers .
The Week 2 opponent is the Tennessee Titans , who are coming off of a tough loss themselves after blowing a late lead to the Chicago Bears .
There were a lot of negatives from Monday night's game for the Jets, but it's foolish to think that there won't be multiple changes come this Sunday. Expect a couple of the Jets' star players to have a better showing this week in an important game against a seemingly lesser opponent in terms of roster talent.
RB Breece Hall
The key to the Jets putting up points this season is going to be running the football through superstar RB Breece Hall.
Monday night was an anomaly for Hall who is considered as one of the best RBs in the NFL. Hall was not efficient from the start of the game, fumbling on just the second drive of the game. He'd also dropped a pass right in his hands from Rodgers in the first half. Hall's longest rush came at the end of the game for 16 yards when the game was already out of reach.
The third-year back did have a touchdown early in the game but did not have any impact beyond that. Even though this game wasn't the best for Hall, he knows he can play at a higher standard. He mentioned postgame about his communication with QB Aaron Rodgers.
"I told him [Rodgers] I was sorry I didn't play as well as I could have as up to my potential."
Hall will have to be the focal point this week to establish the run versus a talented Titans front highlighted by 2x Pro-bowler Jeffrey Simmons. The Titans held star RB D'Andre Swift to only 30 yards on the ground and rookie QB Caleb Williams to 93 yards passing in Week 1, so it will not be an easy day for Hall. That being said, Hall is a top-tier RB and should look much improved come this Sunday.
DE Will McDonald IV
One of the main reasons that the Jets were blown out Monday night is because of the defense. More importantly, the pass rush from the defensive ends could not lay a finger on 49ers QB Brock Purdy. Edge rusher Will McDonald IV was one of the primary culprits of the lack of pass rush production.
McDonald IV has been under much scrutiny after his lackluster rookie season but has added muscle weight in the offseason to enhance his ability on the edge.
Monday night McDonald IV was a no-show on the field only logging one tackle the entire night and was graded as the third-lowest Jet (30.3) by Pro Football Focus . Jermaine Johnson who sits on the other edge had a pitiful game as well, but at least Johnson has proved what he could do on the field with his overall performance from last season.
In McDonald IV's case, he ended his rookie season with three sacks but only played 184 snaps (16.8%). There's a lot to prove and it's still only the first game of the season so there's a lot of time for him.
This Sunday should be a great chance for McDonald IV to have himself a day against right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere who had a 57.1 grade in Week 1. He won't be playing every snap of the game, but Jets' head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich need McDonald IV to make an impact on passing downs against the Titans.
More New York Jets News:
• Two Jets' starting cornerbacks limited due to injury during short week
• Jets sign former seven-year starter to Practice Squad as OL insurance
• Jets' two key offseason WR additions complete non-factors in season opener
• Jets sign former Vikings' All-Pro kick returner
• Scary Week 1 AFC East results for New York Jets' division title hopes
Comments / 0