NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers wants to make it clear that he technically now has two wins as quarterback of the New York Jets.
Not his first.
Braelon Allen, the youngest player in the NFL, ran a 20-yard touchdown with 4:31 minutes left, bringing Rodgers and the New York Jets They maintained their lead and beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17 on Sunday.
Rodgers threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns and was allowed to kneel for his first victory, which he started and finished as the Jets’ starting quarterback. He tore his left Achilles tendon on his fourth snap in the Jets’ 2023 season opener, a win over Buffalo.
The 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP said that while the first goal counts, this win was no less special because it was “a long time coming.”
“Those are the games you look back on at the end of the season and are thankful you won them,” Rodgers said. “Because if we want to be a great team, we have to win against teams like that in those environments.”
One of Rodgers’ touchdown passes went to the 20-year-old Allen, making him the oldest and youngest player in the NFL to score a touchdown. The fourth-round pick from Wisconsin said playing with Breece Hall took some of the attention away. He thanked tight end Jeremy Ruckert for the crucial block on his game-winning touchdown run.
“My grandma could probably score points there,” Allen said.
The Jets (1-1) spoiled Titans coach Brian Callahan’s first career home game when he witnessed two consecutive turnovers by second-year quarterback Will Levis.
“The mistakes were serious,” Callahan said.
The Titans (0:2) still had a chance at the end.
Will McDonald IV, who accounted for three of the Jets’ four sacks, scored his third with 23 seconds left on third down. Levis threw to Tyler Boyd on fourth down from the 14-yard line, with Jets safety Tony Adams helping intercept the pass and recover the ball on third down.
The Jets scored 17 points on Titans errors. First, there was an interception by Brandin Echols. There was an excessive force penalty on two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons on third down that kept a New York offense in the lead and gave the Jets their first lead at 14-10 early in the third quarter.
Irvin Charles blocked Ryan Stonehouse’s punt, allowing Greg Zuerlein to make a 33-yard field goal and take a 17-10 lead.
The Titans tied the score when Levis broke free on a 21-yard run and Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson scored with a Injury to the right Achilles tendon. Two plays later, Levis tied the score at 17-17 with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley late in the third quarter.
The Titans led 7-0 after the first quarter Ridley ‘s first rushing touchdown of his career.
Levis inexplicably attempted a backwards pass to Tyjae Spears, which Jets D-lineman Quinnen Williams intercepted, prompting Callahan to ask a mundane question about what the quarterback was thinking (which was easy to see on TV). Echols stripped Treylon Burks of the ball on the first play of Tennessee’s next drive.
Rodgers got the Jets going. He capped their 12-play, 73-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown throw to Allen, who bowled into the end zone to tie the score at 7-7. Allen was named the youngest player to score a touchdown in a practice game in the NFL since 1930.
The Titans scored a 41-yard field goal through Nick Folk and went into halftime with a 10-7 lead.
Levis’ sales
The Titans quarterback now has five turnovers through the first six quarters this season. The fumble was similar to a pick-6 in the opening loss at Chicago by the same score, 24-17. Callahan was asked what he said to Levis as he left the field and said the camera caught it well.
“He’s an adult and he knows better,” Callahan said. “And that’s why I was really upset that he cost us three points in a game where we probably needed them.”
Levis summed it up: “I just can’t allow that to happen.”
Punt blocks
It is the second game in a row The Titans had blocked one punt and the third for Stonehouse, whose season ended on his next punt attempt after a punt was blocked and returned for a TD last December.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen a blocked punt in six years,” Callahan said. “To have this happen in a row is really frustrating.”
Injuries
Jets: Johnson was carried off the field late in the third quarter with what coach Robert Saleh said was a likely torn Achilles tendon. Further tests will be conducted Monday. … LB CJ Mosley injured a toe in the opening seconds of the second quarter and did not return. Saleh said he could be back for the next play. … Hall went to the medical tent but returned late in the second quarter.
Titans: CB Roger McCreary injured his shoulder in the second quarter when he brought down Rodgers. He returned and made a nice tackle in the fourth quarter that lured him off the field. … RB Tyjae Spears injured his ankle and did not return.
Next
Jets: host New England on Thursday night for their home opener.
Titans: host Green Bay next Sunday.
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