At the beginning of the season, the Tennessee Titans’ defense was defined by their linebackers. Things changed when the Titans picked up their first win of the season against the Miami Dolphins. This was due in no small part to Tyvondre Sweat’s overwhelming performance.
How good was Sweat in that game? The rookie recorded six tackles, two of which were for loss against an inferior Dauphins offense. Of the 29 rookie defensive linemen playing in the league this season, no one has had more than six tackles or two tackles for loss in a season.
This weekend, the Titans will host their AFC South rival, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts often receive praise for the play of their interior offensive line. Despite their strong reputation, the Colts have struggled with defensive tackles in pass protection this season.
The Colts have allowed 4.5 sacks to defensive tackles in five games, a problem that continues no matter who the quarterback is.
The good news for the Titans is that Sweat had his most prolific game of the season with Jeffery Simmons out with an elbow injury. All signs point to Simmons returning this week and joining the rookie giants between the tackles.
The Colts recently placed starting right guard Will Freese on injured reserve.
Behind Sweat and Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day has quietly made a big impact as a matchup problem at tackle and tight end. This trio can put a lot of pressure on opposing offensive lines, and Sweat and Simmons have true game-breaking potential.
Simmons has made an impact, but has been generally quiet in a year when many thought he would take a statistical step forward. Taking on double teams is a tough job, but Simmons has to start making offensive coaches pay for putting him in one-on-one situations.
The Titans’ only win this season came in a game in which they ran the ball 40 times and completed just one pass in the second half. The numbers probably won’t be as extreme this week, but the formula will be much the same for Brian Callahan.
That means a sack or two from the defensive line could be the difference between winning and losing a close divisional game at home.
This is a big game that will determine the direction of the 2024 season, as the Titans could move up from an 0-3 start to second place in the AFC South if they win this week. Big players make big plays, so now would be the perfect time for Simmons to break out and for Sweat to finally start putting together a dominant performance.
