The New York Jets weren't given much love from ESPN this week, despite winning in Week 1.
The New York Jets powered their way to a win in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, taking down the Tennessee Titans on the road.
New York bullied the Titans from the opening kickoff, looking like the more physical team throughout the contest. While there are areas that the Jets can clean up from the win, New York has to feel good about where they are a week into the season.
This franchise hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, which is the longest active drought for a team in North America. But this group has confidence that the drought can and will be broken in 2026.
New York has a much better roster than a year ago, giving them a shot to win and be more competitive. But while the playoffs seem like a long shot, the Jets are just trying to block out all the outside noise.
Within the new power rankings from ESPN heading into Week 2, the Jets didn't get much love despite winning in Week 1. New York came in ranked at No. 27, still pretty low on the list.
But the Jets don't care where they are ranked; instead, the team is focused on building each week to get better and better. New York wants to surprise everyone by getting into the playoffs but to break the long drought; it will take a consistent effort each week.
In the game against the Titans, there were some extra positives, especially from tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The rookie looked good in his NFL debut, scoring a touchdown, despite getting limited touches.
"Sadiq had only four touches (three receptions and one rush), but he scored one of the Jets' two touchdowns (on a 3-yard end-around), and his versatility enabled OC Frank Reich to use creative personnel packages. After missing most of training camp because of a hernia, the No. 16 pick was limited to 26 offensive snaps, but his role will continue to grow. Sadiq joined Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome as the only two tight ends in history to score a rushing TD in his first career game," Rich Cimini of ESPN wrote.
The Jets have big plans for Sadiq, and if he can prove to them that he can perform like this each week, his role will get even larger. Sadiq was the first-round pick for New York this season out of Oregon, and he has impressed the coaching staff so far.
All in all, the Jets will enter Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers ready to fight and show that they belong in the upper echelon of teams. But until they prove it out on the field, many around the NFL will continue to doubt this team, given its recent string of history.
