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Ground and Pound Jets Offense Shows Shades of 2009

Jason BuechlerSeptember 15, 20262 Mins read247

Sep 13, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

“There are only three things that can happen on a pass, and two of them are bad.”

Woody Hayes’ words come from a different era of football, but the sentiment still rings true. The Jets took that sentiment to heart in week one, rushing the ball 39 times in their win over the Titans.

The Jets didn’t just run the ball a lot; they ran it well. New York started the game committed to the run. Five of their first eight plays on the opening drive that resulted in a touchdown were runs. That trend continued throughout the game. The 39 rushing attempts were the highest amount the Jets have had in a season opener since 2009.

Breece Hall and Braelon Allen Make Up a Two-Headed Monster

Breece Hall played the Thomas Jones role. He carried the ball 22 times for 102 yards and a score. This was only the seventh time in Hall’s career that he has had over 20 carries. Frank Reich clearly wants to grow that number throughout the season. Hall dominated the run game coming off a preseason groin injury, which should have fans and the organization very excited.

However, Hall wasn’t the only one to chip in with the run game. Braelon Allen may not look like Leon Washington, but he was the perfect change of pace while Hall was resting. The former Wisconsin Badger had 10 carries of his own for 40 yards. Not to mention a 23-yard score that was brought back by a holding penalty.

Hall and Allen’s performance set the tone for the Jets not only for the game but for the season. The Jets have a plan, and that plan is to run through the defense’s face for 60 minutes every Sunday. Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan — the original Ground and Pound connoisseur —was not hesitant to give flowers to Aaron Glenn’s team.

https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/2099488230844366960

Bloodying Noses

The Jets’ dominance on the ground was no more apparent than during their 19-play drive that spanned 11 minutes and 48 seconds in the first and second quarters. Of those 19 plays, 15 were runs. This drive best showed the clear disparity in effort and talent in the trenches between the Titans and Jets.

"I felt like I hadn't practiced in a few weeks on that drive" 😂

Breece Hall talks about the Jets' 19-play drive: pic.twitter.com/O8bylsCvGU

— SNY Jets (@snyjets) September 13, 2026

This isn’t to say the Jets’ offense is fixed, but the foundation is in place. If Gang Green wants to be talked about come playoff time, the performance in week one needs to be harnessed and improved upon. The run game needs to keep taking pressure off Geno Smith and the pass game.

The Road Ahead for the Jets

The Jets will face much harder tests than their old pal Robert Saleh’s team. In the next three weeks, they face an NFC North gauntlet. The Packers, Lions and Bears all have realistic Super Bowl hopes and will serve as the first real tests for this 2026 Jets team.

Few expect the Jets to win these games, but narratives could change if they keep this up. The Jets will likely look to control the clock and keep Geno in a game management role. If the Jets can keep up rush attempts in the 30s, they may be able to sneak a couple wins no one thinks they should.

One game doesn’t define a season, but it can set the tone. The Jets have set the tone.

Run. The. Damn. Ball.