Robert Saleh spent four years as Jets head coach, failing to take Gang Green to the postseason. He’s moved on to Tennessee, taking over a promising AFC South squad. The Titans are loaded with potential, headlined by former number one overall pick Cam Ward. However, New York comes into this one with plenty of optimism as well. A busy NFL draft has left this group with an abundance of young talent. Which of these clubs will come out on top this afternoon in Nashville?
The Titans are favorites (-122) over the Jets; the total is set at 38.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Sunday’s showdown between New York and Tennessee on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jets vs. Titans prediction, preview
Aaron Glenn returns as New York’s current head coach, with plenty of pressure to improve off of a four-win 2025 campaign. The front office made a strong effort to improve this roster, especially on offense. Geno Smith is back in town, rejoining the franchise that drafted him back in 2013. Fresh off of a disastrous season with the Raiders, he’ll be looking to turn things around. Running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson offer two terrific targets. Despite some uncertainty this week, rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is trending towards suiting up this weekend as well. Former Colts head coach Frank Reich takes over an offense in desperate need of an overhaul.
Smith is not a perfect passer, as seen during his time in Las Vegas. In his lone season with the Raiders, Geno threw for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns while coughing up 17 interceptions. It’s the third time in four years he’s handed out double-digit picks; turnovers are inevitable when the veteran is under center. That’s good news for a middling Titans defense. This group allowed 345.1 yards per game to opponents, 21st in the NFL. There’s reason to expect an even better showing on that side of the ball in 2026. Tennessee signed a slew of high-priced free agents, including edge rusher John Franklin-Meyers and cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott.
Offensively, it all comes down to the continued progression of Ward. The Miami alum took his lumps as a rookie, often held back by a dismal supporting cast. Fortunately, the weapons have been upgraded in Tennessee. Wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected with the fourth overall pick of the draft, while the team also signed slot specialist Wan’Dale Robinson from the Giants. At tight end, Gunnar Helm is an underrated year two breakout pick. Tony Pollard is a solid, albeit unexciting, name at running back. The most important Titans addition may be offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The former Giants head coach left town on a sour note, but he spent four years as Josh Allen’s offensive coordinator in Buffalo. His emphasis on a quick passing game should make things easier on Ward.
The Jets, for all their recent struggles, usually put up a fight on defense. That wasn’t the case in 2025; this group gave up the eighth-most yards per game in football (355.6). New York didn’t help itself much, failing to haul in a single interception over 17 games. With that being said, a lack of turnovers does imply some positive regression in the near future. Former Saints captain Demario Davis should help organize things at linebacker. Added depth along the defensive line should make this group far more formidable up front, especially against the run. However, the Jets recorded the league’s second-fewest sacks last season (26.0). Generating more pressure on a relatively inexperienced quarterback will be key in this one.
Jets vs. Titans pick, best bet
Both of these teams are poised for a much better upcoming season. However, Smith’s penchant for coughing up the football could pose problems against a revamped Tennessee secondary. There’s reason to believe Ward could turn a corner under the tutelidge of Daboll as well. In a matchup between two teams with plenty to prove, I’d rather back the home team as slight favorites.
