Week 1 Game Recap: New York Jets 23, Tennessee Titans 16

What you need to know

New York Jets

The Jets won Eric Mangini’s debut game as a head coach. It was the first road win for New York’s AFC representative since week 12 of the 2004 season. Mangini and New York fans alike have to be pleased by the performance of starting quarterback Chad Pennington, who entered the game as a huge question mark after missing most of last season and undergoing his second major shoulder surgery in as many years. Pennington was sharp throughout the entire contest, completing 24 of his 33 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets controlled much of the game and took a 16-0 lead into the fourth quarter. Two plays after having a short touchdown pass from Pennington to Jerricho Cotchery nullified by a D’Brickashaw Ferguson holding penalty, Mike Nugent missed his second field goal of the day. Mangini had to be less than pleased with the performance of Nugent, who also missed an extra point. Conversion of any of those attempts might have been the final nail in the Titans’ coffin. Instead, Tennessee was able to rally and tie the game. After a 41 yard kickoff return by former Clemson star, Justin Miller, the Jets responded with a seven play 57 yard touchdown drive. The Titans drove to the New York eight yard line, but the Jets’ defense rose to the challenge and stopped the Titans on downs to clinch the game.

Derrick Blaylock started and received the majority of the carries for the Jets, but recently acquired Kevan Barlow also had significant playing time and was the primary ball carrier in short yardage and goal line situations. He scored the Jets’ first touchdown on a one yard run.

The revamped Jets’ offensive line includes two rookie starters. The line did a pretty decent job protecting Pennington for most of the game and allowed two sacks. However, New York running backs found running lanes hard to come by and were able to average only 2.7 yards per carry

After averaging 248 yards of offense last season, the Jets amassed 393 total yards against the Tennessee defense.

Tennessee Titans

In an attempt to be secretive, head coach Jeff Fisher did not announce his starting quarterback until approximately 90 minutes before kickoff. He chose 12 year veteran Kerry Collins, who was not signed until August 29th, over Billy Volek. Collins entered the game ranked third in career passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks and had an up and down day. He finished 17 of 38 for 223 yards and two interceptions.

With Collins as the starter, Billy Volek was the third string quarterback. Rookie Vince Young served as the backup and was given a limited package of plays by Fisher. Young saw his first action in the second quarter and initially brought some life to the Titans’ offense. He completed his first three passes and drove Tennessee to the New York 29 yard line before badly underthrowing a deep attempt to David Givens. The ill-fated pass was intercepted. Young returned to the game for the first of the Titans’ two point conversion attempts, but was replaced by Collins after the Jets were called for pass interference on the play.

Collins was mostly sharp initially. He completed three of his first six passes for 23 yards. However, two of the incompletions were drops. One of the drops was by Drew Bennett. Collins led him nicely on a crossing route, but the pass went off Bennett’s fingertips and stalled Tennessee’s opening drive at the Jets’ 35 yard line. Collins completed only one of his next six passes for 14 yards and an interception. He did not lead the Titans’ offense into New York territory again until midway through the third quarter. Collins was not helped greatly by the running game, which had some success to start, but was then held in check during the game. Chris Brown got the start and did average four yards per attempt, but was given only 16 carries. Travis Henry also saw considerable time, but was able to gain only 22 yards on nine carries. He did however, score both of Tennessee’s touchdowns and one of their two point conversions.

The Titans’ defense gave up 393 total yards to a Jets' team that averaged nearly 150 fewer per game last season. The defense held New York to only 2.7 yards per rush, but allowed 302 net passing yards.

What you ought to know

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 24 - 33 - 319 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 7 - 0

In an encouraging sign for Jets fans, Pennington looked better than at any point last season and appears to have recovered dramatically from two shoulder surgeries in the past two years. Pennington, who did not have a particularly strong arm prior to his injuries, exhibited adequate zip on his passes and displayed tremendous accuracy. Even on deep go routes and crossing patterns, Pennington's passes were on the money. Many of his passes were short to medium routes, but he did have completions of 15, 19, 25, 27, 38, and 41 yards. He spread the ball around to seven different receivers. His 319 passing yards represent his highest single game total since week seven of the 2002 season. Pennington also exhibited surprising speed on an eight yard scramble.

Pennington was sacked twice and lost a fumble when Cortland Finnegan blitzed untouched from the corner and blindsided him. When he was hit, Pennington got up quickly and showed no ill effects.

Pennington’s entered with 41 touchdowns and no interceptions in the red zone. His remarkable streak of red zone success was almost broken up by an interception by Reynaldo Hill in the second quarter. Instead, Peter Sirmon was called for pass interference. Pennington added an eight yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery later in the quarter, upping his red zone numbers to 42 touchdowns without an interception.

QB Kellen Clemens

Though it had been reported earlier in the week that Clemens would be the number two quarterback, he was on the inactive list.

QB Patrick Ramsey

Ramsey served as Pennington’s backup, but he did not see any action

RB Derrick Blaylock, Rush: 19 - 36 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (3 targets)

Blaylock started the game and was the Jets’ leading rusher, but averaged less than two yards per carry and his longest run was for only six yards. Blaylock rarely had much room to run, but tried gamely. He contributed two short receptions in the passing game.

RB Kevan Barlow, Rush: 11 - 35 - 1 (1 targets)

Barlow did not start, but had 11 rushes for 35 yards and one touchdown. He was the Jets’ running back of choice in most of the short yardage and goal line situations. Barlow had a long run of 11 yards. However, he generally found little running room behind the Jets’ offensive line and had to fight for every yard. On a play from the Tennessee two yard line, Barlow vacated the backfield and was the target on a quick pass play that could have resulted in a score. However, he dropped the pass.

RB Leon Washington

Rookie Leon Washington returned two punts for a total of seven yards, but saw no action in the running game.

RB Cedric Houston

With a crowded backfield, Houston was declared inactive for the game.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 8 - 153 - 0 (10 targets)

Coles led the Jets in receptions and receiving yards, hauling in eight of his ten targets for 153 yards. Among his eight catches were receptions of 25, 38, and 41 yards. He was credited with a dropped pass on a play that was dangerously close to being a fumble. The Titans did not get a chance to challenge the play, because the officials had blown it dead.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 6 - 65 - 1 (12 targets)

Cotchery has moved into the starting lineup and was Pennington’s most targeted receiver. He caught six balls for 65 yards and one touchdown. His long reception was for 19 yards, and four of his receptions resulted in first downs. Cotchery lost a two yard touchdown catch that was called back by a holding penalty. He was in as a punt returner, but had only fair catches.

WR Brad Smith, Rush: 2 - 13 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (1 targets)

Smith, who played quarterback in college at Missouri, is learning to play receiver in the NFL. He made a nice one-handed grab for a first down on a third and six play. Smith also converted first downs with a 12 yard reverse and a one yard gain where he broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and was able to reach forward for the first down. Smith will likely be involved in more than a few gadget plays throughout the season.

WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 2 - 34 - 0 (3 targets)

McCareins had receptions of seven and 27 yards. Both resulted in first downs.

WR Tim Dwight

Receiver and return specialist Tim Dwight was inactive for the game.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 4 - 34 - 1 (5 targets)

Baker had four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. Two of his catches converted first downs.

TE Sean Ryan, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Ryan had one reception that gained ten yards and would have converted a first down. However, Ryan turned to run upfield and lost a fumble when he was tackled.

PK Mike Nugent 1 - 3 FG, 2 - 3 XP, 5 points

If the Jets had lost this game, many fingers would have pointed at Nugent, who had a miserable day. Nugent contributed an 18 yard field goal and an extra point. However, he missed his other extra point attempt plus field goal tries of 34 and 30 yards. The 30 yard miss hit the right upright. The other misses were wide right as well.

NYJ Rush Defense

The Jets’ run defense held the Titans to 86 rushing yards and a 3.4 yard per carry average. New York held Tennessee to a long run of only nine yards. The Titans had moments of success on the ground, but were unable to sustain much momentum. The Jets did allow two Travis Henry rushing touchdowns and a two point conversion in short yardage situations. Jonathan Vilma led New York in tackles with seven solo stops and five assists.

NYJ Pass Defense

The Jets’ pass defense forced three turnovers and held Kerry Collins to under a 50 percent completion rate. Victor Hobson and Bryan Thomas contributed sacks. Andre Dyson tallied five tackles, an assist, and two interceptions against his former team. Kerry Rhodes had the other Jets’ interception.

QB Kerry Collins, Pass: 17 - 38 - 223 - 0 TD / 2 INT

Collins, who was signed by the Titans less than two weeks before the game, showed some rust but also had some positive moments in an up and down performance. He had 223 passing yards, but completed less than fifty percent of his passes and threw two interceptions. He was unlucky in the game, however. On Tennessee’s first play of the third quarter, Collins threw a perfect strike to tight end Ben Troupe. The play should have resulted in nice gain and set the Titans up near midfield. Instead, Troupe bobbled the pass and Kerry Rhodes intercepted it. Later in the third quarter, Collins was hit as he was attempting a deep pass to Drew Bennett in the end zone. The pass sailed off course and Collins was called for intentional grounding, effectively ending a Titans’ scoring opportunity.

Collins finished the first half five for 13 for 62 passing yards and one interception. He was better in the second half, going 12 for 25 for 161 yards. In the fourth quarter Collins was ten for 19 for 134 yards. He led the Titans on a nine play 80 yard drive to put them within one score. Trailing by seven with the game in the balance, Collins drove Tennessee from their own 26 to the New York eight yard line before his fourth down passing attempt to tight end Bo Scaife fell incomplete.

QB Vince Young, Pass: 3 - 4 - 27 - 0 TD / 1 INT

The Titans’ plan is for Young to get some playing time in each game. The coaches have given him a limited offensive package while he learns on the job. Young entered the game midway through the second quarter and promptly drove the Titans down the field. His first three passes were quick, crisp throws and resulted in completions of nine, 11, and seven yards. Unfortunately, Young’s fourth pass was a terribly underthrown fade attempt to Drew Bennett and was intercepted by Andre Dyson.

Young re-entered the game for Tennessee’s first two point conversion attempt. After an incomplete pass (to Bobby Wade) resulted in a New York pass interference penalty, Collins replaced Young. Young did not play again in the game.

QB Billy Volek

Volek, who entered training camp as the starting quarterback, was supplanted by Kerry Collins and was inactive for this game.

RB Chris Brown, Rush: 16 - 64 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (4 targets)

Brown started the game and led the Titans in rushing with 64 yards. He averaged four yards per carry was more effective than Travis Henry. However, Henry was given the goal line carries. Brown showed quickness and a willingness to lower his shoulder to get the extra yard. Although Brown had two carries that resulted in lost yardage and two more for no gain, he did a nice job of fighting for yardage and maximizing his output. His longest runs were both for nine yards. He contributed one four yard reception.

RB Travis Henry, Rush: 9 - 22 - 2, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets)

Henry was the Titans’ running back of choice in short yardage situation and contributed touchdown runs of three and one yards plus a two point conversion run. He ran tough mostly between the tackles, but found holes hard to come by, averaging only 2.4 yards per carry with a long gain of five yards. Henry had one reception for two yards.

RB LenDale White

Rookie running back LenDale White was inactive for week one.

WR Drew Bennett, Rec: 8 - 106 - 0 (19 targets)

Bennett was targeted a game high 19 times, which represents just under half of Tennessee’s passing attempts. He caught eight of those passes for 106 yards with a long gain of 24 yards. Bennett had a key drop on Tennessee’s first drive. Kerry Collins hit him on a nice crossing route and Bennett had room to run after the catch, but he was unable to corral the football. One of Bennett’s catches was the Titans’ second two point conversion. Bennett was credited with one fumble, but was able to recover the football.

WR Bobby Wade, Rec: 5 - 76 - 0 (8 targets)

Wade was second on the Titans in targets, receptions, and yardage and set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. His receptions went for seven, 25, 16, 13, and 15 yards.

Wade was targeted by Vince Young on Tennessee’s first two point conversion attempt. He also returned three kicks for 75 yards.

WR David Givens, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (4 targets)

Givens, a free agent acquisition, had catches of 11, 14, and two yards. The first two converted third downs into first downs. Givens had single coverage and was targeted on a deep fade pass attempt from Vince Young, but the ball was severely underthrown and was picked off. Givens appeared to have a step on the Jets’ defender and a better throw potentially could have resulted in a 29 yard touchdown.

WR Brandon Jones (1 targets)

Jones was targeted once, but did not catch a ball.

TE Ben Troupe, Rec: 1 - 23 - 0 (5 targets)

Troupe had one reception for 23 yards. He broke four tackles and gained eleven yards after the catch on the play. Troupe also bobbled a well-thrown pass that resulted in an interception.

TE Bo Scaife, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (4 targets)

Scaife caught one 12 yard pass.

TE Erron Kinney

Kinney, who has a knee injury, was inactive for the game.

PK Rob Bironas 0 - 0 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 0 points

Bironas did not have any extra point or field goal attempts.

TEN Rush Defense

The Titans’ run defense held the Jets to 91 yard on 34 carries, a 2.7 average per attempt. Brad Smith had a 12 yard run on a reverse and Kevan Barlow had one 11 yard gain plus a short touchdown run, The Jets had only two other runs longer than six yards. One of those was an eight yard scramble by Chad Pennington. Keith Bulluck had nine solo tackles, four assists, and a forced fumble.

TEN Pass Defense

The Jets controlled the ball through the passing game. Chad Pennington’s precision passing shredded the Titans’ defense for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee did sack Pennington twice and forced two fumbles. Rookie defensive back, Cortland Finnegan’s sack and forced fumble set up Travis Henry’s second rushing touchdown on the very next play and enabled the Titans to tie the game. Kyle Vanden Bosch had the other Titans’ sack.