Aaron Rodgers and the Jets visit the Titans with both trying to avoid 0-2 starts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NFL did the New York Jets and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers no favors scheduling their first three games over the span of 11 days.

The Tennessee Titans have a different challenge.

Sure, they’re back in Music City for their home opener Sunday. But they go from defending a rookie quarterback taken No. 1 overall in Caleb Williams to a Super Bowl champ in his 20th NFL season who can punish defenses who bite on his play-calling with a flick of his wrist for a touchdown pass.

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said Rodgers probably has the best hard count outside of Titans offensive line guru Bill Callahan. Rodgers also knows how to avoid contact.

“He don’t give you the opportunity to hit him,” Simmons said

The Titans opened with a 24-17 loss in Chicago. Tennessee turned in the franchise’s best season-opening defensive performance in nearly three decades, allowing only 148 yards. A 17-0 lead disappeared as Will Levis had three turnovers, including a pick-6, and a blocked punt was returned for a touchdown.

The Jets lost 32-19 on Monday night to San Francisco. Now both teams are trying to avoid 0-2 starts, but the Jets are back on the road again facing an even quicker turnaround in facing New England on Sept. 19.

“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.

Rodgers watched the end of the Jets’ loss from the bench in his first game since his season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the 2023 opener. He was 13 of 21 for 167 yards with his one touchdown pass coming off a free play when he got the 49ers to jump offside.

He wants the Jets to find a way to stay on the field for more than 49 plays Sunday.

“We’ve got to help our defense out,” Rodgers said. “You know, if it takes 30 to win, we’ve got to score 30, so it wasn’t good enough on our part. I hope nobody’s getting frustrated. It’s one week.”

Running Rodgers

One of the biggest tests for Rodgers in his return from his torn Achilles tendon was how mobile he could be when he was forced out of the pocket.

It’s a work in progress, but the 40-year-old quarterback moved around without issue — even if he didn’t quite resemble the athletic playmaker who ran for more than 200 yards in nine seasons, but not since 2018. Rodgers now moves around buying time to find someone downfield.

“The more comfortable I am out there, the more game reps I have, it’s just going to keep getting more confident to do those things,” Rodgers said. “I’ve always played with the ability to extend plays. Now it’s changed.”

Titanic drought

Tennessee’s streak is at 36 consecutive games without scoring at least 30 points in a regular-season game. The Titans jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half of the opener and didn’t score again.

Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was Levis’ favorite option as a rookie and is not on the injury report this week after being sidelined July 31 by an injured left knee. The 12-year veteran says he’s good and has reminded teammates not to worry as long as they learn from the loss.

“That first game doesn’t dictate the season,” Hopkins said.

Leaky defense

Defense has been a Jets’ strength the past several years and expected to be outstanding again this season. It was anything but against San Francisco.

New York allowed scores on eight straight drives and allowed backup Jordan Mason to run for a career-high 147 yards. Saleh called that surprising with the Jets’ usual attention to discipline.

The next challenge is Tennessee’s Tony Pollard, who ran for 82 yards on 16 carries against Chicago.

“That’s not the norm for us and nevertheless, we put that on tape, right?” Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson said. “So we’ve got to go out the next week and put that to bed pretty quick, which I have full confidence that we’ll do.”

Good start

Allen Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets last year, then struggled mightily with 23 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown in 14 games before being inactive the final two games.

Lazard dropped a third-down pass from his former Packers teammate on the Jets’ first drive at San Francisco. He bounced back with two TD catches — one each from Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. He finished with six receptions for 89 yards, both single-game highs while with New York.

“Last year was definitely really hard for him, but that’s the Allen that I think you guys have all seen in in training camp and the Allen that I know and love on Monday night,” Rodgers said of the receiver.

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AP Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak contributed to this report.

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