Earlier in the season, the Tennessee Titans defense was being defined by their linebackers. That changed when the Titans got their first win of the season against the Miami Dolphins, due in no small part to a dominant performance by T'Vondre Sweat.
How good was Sweat in that game? The rookie racked up six tackles, including two for a loss against an outmatched Dophins offense. Of the 29 rookie defensive linemen playing in the league this season, none have more than six tackles and two tackles for loss over the entire year to date.
This weekend, the Titans are hosting their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts. The Colts often receive praise for the play of their interior offensive line. Despite that strong reputation, the Colts have struggled against defensive tackles this season in pass protection.
The Colts have allowed 4.5 sacks to defensive tackles in five games, and it is a problem that has persisted regardless of who the quarterback is.
The good news for the Titans is that Sweat had his most prolific game of the season while Jeffery Simmons was sidelined with an elbow injury. All signs point to Simmons returning this week and joining the rookie behemoth between the tackles.
The Colts also recently placed their starting right guard Will Fries on injured reserve.
Behind Sweat and Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day is quietly making a big impact as a matchup issue for tackles and tight ends alike. That trio can put a lot of pressure on opposing offensive lines, with Sweat and Simmons having true game-wrecking potential.
Simmons is making an impact, but has been generally quiet in a year where many people thought he would take a step forward statistically. Taking on double teams is hard work, but Simmons has to start making offensive coaches pay for putting him in one-on-one situations.
The sole Titans win this season came in a game where they ran the ball 40 times and only completed one pass in the second half. The numbers probably won't be that extreme this week, but the formula will be largely the same for Brian Callahan.
That means that a sack or two from the defensive line could be the difference in what is shaping up to be a close divisional game at home.
The Titans could turn a 0-3 start into second place in the AFC South with a win this week, so it is a big game deciding the direction of the 2024 season. Big players make big plays, so this would be the perfect time for a Simmons breakout performance, and for Sweat to finally start stacking dominant showings.
