The New York Jets dismantled the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, winning by 23-10 in a game that wasn’t really that close.
There were questions heading into the opening game of the 2026 season for the Jets. Would they be able to stop a tough Nashville defensive line? Could they contain the extremely elusive Titans quarterback Cam Ward? How would they fare against their former coach, Robert Saleh, who would have his team fired up for their home opener and a chance at revenge for his Jets dismissal?
The PFF grades for the overall individual Jets performances provide a solid answer. PFF (Pro Football Focus) grades measure a player’s individual performance, contribution, and value on every single play relative to the expected outcome, rather than just relying on standard box-score statistics.
Analysts evaluate every player on a -2.0 to +2.0 scale using 0.5-point increments. 60 is the league average, with 70-80 considered above average to good, and 90 elite. It considers what players do beyond the box score, capturing hidden metrics that standard stats miss, such as total quarterback pressures.
Topping the Jets list for Week 1 was new guard Dylan Parham, a pickup from the Raiders who joined the holdovers. He graded out at an impressive 84.7, and he and Olu Fashanu were a brick wall on the blind side of quarterback Geno Smith, keeping him without a touch from a tough Tennessee Titans defensive line.
Contributions from tight end Jelani Woods (81.1) and center Josh Myers (74.5) show that the Jets interior was the reason they rolled up the Titans. The entire line played 67 snaps in the game, even more impressive when you realize the Nashville heat index was well over 100 degrees at game time and never let up. But the line never wore down, and quarterback Smith (72.0 PFF rating) had one of the easier days he’ll ever experience.
The Jets’ Azareye’h Thomas had a quiet day, which is a good thing for a cornerback. He graded at an impressive 80.3 for the game, helping limit the damage Cam Ward could create with his wide receivers. Also grading out well on defense was edge Will McDonald IV, who logged 25 snaps and an 81.7 grade. McDonald almost nailed Ward for a safety, with the QB’s forward progress charitably marked at the 1-foot line.
All of the grades are subject to further review and may change. But for the Jets, the results – particularly the score – are forever in the books as one of their greatest opening day performances.
