Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Through five weeks of football, Tennessee’s defensive line continues to be an obvious strength of this team. The Titans are the only defense in the NFL that possesses three different pass-rushers who each rank in the top 15 in both sacks and pressures.
Rashad Weaver and Denico Autry have already produced four sacks each, tied for fourth-most in the entire league. Weaver also ranks ninth in pressures (16), while Autry comes in tied for 13th with 14 pressures.
Then you have the true star of the entire defense: Jeffery Simmons.
Welcome to the party. Better late than never. https://t.co/AudxbovVhb
— The Titans Wire (@TheTitansWire) October 12, 2022
The Mississippi State product is the definition of a game-wrecker. Despite the fact that Simmons is constantly facing double teams, the Titans’ star is fifth amongst all defenders in quarterback pressures (21), while also being tied for sixth in sacks (3.5).
Best in the W̴e̴s̴t̴ League @49ers 🤷♂️@NextGenStats‘ full article: https://t.co/oyJMtrPiDq pic.twitter.com/AmpyxPrHWG
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) October 7, 2022
Next Gen Stats recently ranked the Titans as the third-best defensive line in the NFL going into Week 5, and it’s easy to understand why.
Bud Dupree and Teair Tart are two other defenders who are intricate pieces to the defensive front as well. This is a well-balanced group that finds ways to impact the game in a plethora of different ways.
However, it’s becoming glaringly clear that getting after the quarterback is becoming a special trait for this collective unit.
In total, Simmons, Weaver, and Autry have already combined for a whopping 51 pressures and 11.5 sacks in just five games. Barring something dramatic happening, it’s pretty safe to assume that the Titans’ defensive front will continue to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
