The Jets spent the first half controlling the tempo, chewing up the clock and taking a 10-3 lead into halftime against the Titans on Sunday.
New York opened the scoring on its first possession when rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq finished the drive with a rushing touchdown. The Jets then put together a 19-play march that spilled into the second quarter and ate up nearly 12 minutes before ending with three more points.
That long drive was built almost entirely on the ground. The Jets ran it 15 times, leaning on an offensive line that includes former first-round tackles Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu. Breece Hall led the way with 13 carries for 45 yards, while Braelon Allen added 31 yards on six carries.
Geno Smith didn’t need to throw much for the Jets to stay on schedule, but he did connect with first-round wideout Omar Cooper for a 30-yard gain that helped set up Sadiq’s score. Smith finished the half 11 of 15 for 90 yards. Cooper later exited with an ankle injury, and the Jets also lost defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jarvis Brownlee to injuries.
The Titans had just one turnover in the half, with kick returner Chimere Dike losing a fumble. That hurt their ability to get enough snaps, and Jason Sanders also missed a 54-yard field goal later in the second quarter. New York’s final possession of the half came up empty as well, but the road team still carried a seven-point cushion into the break.
Tennessee will start the second half with the ball and needs a cleaner stretch on both sides if it wants to climb back into the game.
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