There are preseason wins, and then there are wins that actually count.

This one counts.

The Jets opened the season with a convincing 23-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and what impressed me most wasn't just the final score. The Jets were the better football team in virtually every phase of the game.

Remember my Friday matchup chart? I gave the Jets the edge in five of the eight categories.

Turns out I was being conservative.

The Jets had the edge at quarterback, running back, receiver, offensive line, defense and special teams.

And yes, I'll admit it: coaching too.

That's about as complete a Week 1 win as you could ask for.

Frank Reich Is Already Making a Difference

One of the biggest changes I've noticed with this offense is the addition of offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

It's only one regular-season game, so I'm not getting carried away. I've been a Jets fan way too long for that.

But through the preseason and now Week 1, I like what I'm seeing.

The offense looks more organized. There's a purpose to what they're doing. Geno Smith looks comfortable, and Reich seems willing to use the weapons he has instead of trying to force the offense into one particular style.

That's a refreshing change.

Hall and Allen Are a Legitimate 1-2 Punch

I've been excited about the combination of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and Sunday showed why.

Hall gives you the explosiveness and big-play ability, while Allen brings a different dimension with his size and physical running style.

Together, they give the Jets something every offense wants: two running backs capable of hurting a defense in different ways.

And it helps when the guys in front of them are playing like they did Sunday.

The offensive line was outstanding.

I've been critical when they've deserved it, including during the preseason when Geno was seeing too much pressure. So when they play well, they deserve the credit.

On Sunday, they were studs.

Plenty of Weapons for Geno

Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen were my offensive standouts, but there was plenty of production beyond those three.

Geno played a good football game, and Adonai Mitchell and rookie Kenyon Sadiq contributed to an offense that suddenly looks like it has some legitimate depth.

The receiving corps has weapons.

Unfortunately, the Jets did lose Omar Cooper to an injury, so that's something to keep an eye on going forward.

But one of the encouraging things Sunday was seeing younger players involved on both sides of the football.

That's how good teams are built. You can't depend on the same handful of veterans every week. Eventually, rookies and young players have to contribute.

The Jets got that Sunday.

Defense Does Its Job

I'm going to temper my enthusiasm here just a little.

The Jets defense played very well, but let's also acknowledge that Tennessee isn't exactly an offensive powerhouse.

Still, you can only play the team standing across from you.

And the Jets did their job.

David Bailey continues to impress me, and I thought the entire defensive backfield played well.

There are, however, two things that still bother me.

First, the underneath pass coverage remains too soft.

I mentioned it during the preseason, and I'm mentioning it again now. Teams are finding too much room underneath, and eventually a better offense is going to take advantage of it.

Second, when you're playing a quarterback like Cam Ward, somebody has to shadow him.

Ward converted too many third downs with his legs. You can play great defense for the first five or six seconds of a play, but if the quarterback escapes and runs for the first down, none of it matters.

That's something Aaron Glenn and his staff need to clean up.

Special Teams Deserves Some Love

Special teams isn't usually the first thing fans talk about after a win.

But Sunday?

The Jets clearly outplayed Tennessee on special teams.

And Qwan'tez Stiggers was my standout.

This is something I've been noticing since the preseason. The Jets' special teams have consistently looked good.

Field position matters. Coverage matters. Hidden yards matter.

Over the course of a season, those plays can be the difference between winning and losing close games.

About That Coaching Edge...

On Friday, I gave the coaching edge to Tennessee and Robert Saleh.

I was wrong.

And I'm perfectly happy to say it.

Aaron Glenn, Frank Reich and the Jets coaching staff won that matchup.

The team looked prepared. The offense was productive. The defense did its job. Special teams played well. And the Jets controlled the game.

That's coaching.

One of my keys to the game Friday was for the Jets to start quickly and play a complete 60 minutes.

They did.

A Solid Win - Nothing More, Nothing Less

I'm not booking Super Bowl tickets.

I'm not planning the parade.

I'm not even ready to use the phrase "Same Old Jets" in the past tense.

I'm a Jets fan. I know better.

But I also know what a good football team looks like when I see one.

Sunday was a solid, convincing 23-10 win in which the Jets were better than Tennessee across the board.

Geno looked good. Hall and Allen looked like a dangerous combination. Garrett Wilson was Garrett Wilson. The offensive line was excellent. Young players contributed. The defense played well. Special teams made an impact.

And the coaching staff had the team ready to play.

There are things to clean up. Fix the underneath coverage. Put a shadow on mobile quarterbacks. Keep developing the young players.

But after Week 1?

1-0.

I'll take it.

Hell, after 50 years of rooting for this team, I've learned never to apologize for enjoying a Jets win.

See you Friday.