The Jets are projected to lose their opening game, and it's to the Tennessee Titans. The game also carries a storyline. Robert Saleh is preparing to coach his first game for Tennessee against the team that gave him the boot just two years ago.
That history could make this matchup even more fascinating. More sports: Ravens’ Matthew Hibner Could Be a Rookie to Watch Saleh has a chance to face his former team, and there should be lots of motivation on the Titans' sideline. The Jets, meanwhile, will have to deal with a coach who knows the organization well and could have a strong reason to want to make a statement.
Tennessee may not have the more talented roster, but that doesn't mean the Titans can't find a way to win. Their defense could be the difference. If Robert Saleh can get his defense to make life difficult for Geno Smith, Tennessee could put itself in a position to pull off the upset.
Against the Jets, that could be all the Titans need. The Jets will be trying to avoid exactly that. For New York, the season opener represents a chance to start fresh.
But facing a former coach who has familiarity with the team adds another wrinkle to the matchup. CBS Sports' John Breech projects the Jets to lose their first game of the season, with the Saleh revenge factor playing a role in his outlook. Sports news: Bengals May Have Found a Playmaker in Jack Endries Breech believes Saleh could find a way to get the better of his former team, especially if the Titans' defense can keep Smith and the Jets' offense under control.
That puts pressure on New York from the very beginning. The Jets won't have much time to settle into the season before facing a team that has a personal reason to want the victory. For Saleh and the Titans, this could be a chance to make a statement.
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