Frank Reich might give the Jets a historical advantage over Robert Saleh's Titans

The NFL schedule makers knew exactly what they were doing when they pitted Robert Saleh's Tennessee Titans against the New York Jets in Week 1 of the regular season. It's a classic grudge match between a head coach and the team that most recently fired him.

Saleh is well known for his brilliance as a defensive mind. It's what got him the head coaching job in New York in the first place, and his creativity last year, in the face of multiple injuries with the San Francisco 49ers, likely helped him get the gig in Tennessee this past hiring cycle.

But Saleh's defenses aren't perfect, as Jets fans certainly know. They've been known to be exposed by some of the brighter offensive minds around the league, and New York has a brand-new savvy play-caller who may just have enough tricks in his bag to fool Saleh's attacking scheme.

Frank Reich might not be the young, hot-shot offensive mind that fans around the NFL salivate for, but he's seen more football than most and has historically had an edge over Saleh's defense in the two times they've met.

New York Jets OC Frank Reich historically owns Robert Saleh's defense

Reich and Saleh have faced each other twice over their respective careers. Once as offensive coordinator vs. defensive coordinator, and once as opposing head coaches.

The first matchup came in Week 8 of the 2017 season, and in fairness, this was Saleh's first year on the job in San Francisco as the defensive coordinator. The 49ers were also starting C.J. Beathard at quarterback, while the Philadelphia Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.

Reich's Eagles offense, led by Carson Wentz, would put up 33 points on the Niners' defense. Philadelphia put up 304 yards of total offense, including 211 passing yards from Wentz and 112 rushing yards, with a good majority coming from Corey Clement and LeGarrette Blount. Philadelphia would go on to win 33-10.

The next matchup came when the two were facing off as head coaches, Saleh in charge of the Jets while Reich was leading the Indianapolis Colts. Ironically enough, Wentz would once again be quarterbacking Reich's offense.

Jets fans likely remember the 2021 Week 9 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Colts, thanks to an ill-timed elbow injury to Mike White that thrust veteran Josh Johnson into the game. New York would go on to lose that matchup 45-30.

Reich's offense once again bombarded Saleh's defense, putting up 532 yards of total offense thanks in large part to a near-flawless performance from Wentz. The then-starter threw for 272 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Star running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 172 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown scamper.

Of course, it's hard to compare both of these games to what we'll be seeing come Sunday afternoon. Both coaches have been through a lot, including multiple firings and changes of scenery.

But if you can take anything away from those two matchups in the last 10 years, it's that Reich seems to have Saleh's number, and Jets fans can only hope history repeats itself in Week 1.

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