Packers offensive line will have to contend with Titans Jeffery Simmons
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers offensive line faces the difficult task of having to contend with Jeffery Simmons, a force along the Tennessee Titans’ interior defensive line.
Simmons missed Tennessee’s Week 10 matchup with Denver due to an ankle injury, and he was listed as questionable this week. Mike Garafolo would report, however, that he will play on Thursday night.
Simmons has been one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders this season and brings game-wrecking potential. He currently ranks tied for second in total pressures, according to PFF ($$), and sixth in win rate.
Overall, this Titans front seven has been one of the best in football, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry along with tallying the fifth most sacks and the fifth-highest pressure rate in 2022.
The Packers’ key to success begins with the run game, although that will be easier said than done against this defensive front. As we saw this past Sunday, the ground game can help open up the passing game by giving Aaron Rodgers more cover-one looks while also leading to more play-action opportunities. Play-action would play a key role in several of the Packers’ explosive pass plays against Dallas.
While the Titans rank in the top 10 in points per game allowed, their secondary has proven to be susceptible at times, especially against the deep ball. However, opponents haven’t been able to fully capitalize with any regularity because of the pass rush getting home.
Against a front this stout, running the ball 62% of the time as Green Bay did against Dallas may not be the exact formula this week, but the Packers can’t get predictable either with the passing game. Giving this Titans’ pass rush a free run at Aaron Rodgers simply won’t end well. The quick passing game may be prominent for the Packers, but it can’t be their only mode for moving the ball through the air. That approach simply isn’t sustainable.
Of course, it’ll be important that the Packers’ offensive line is healthy. So far this season, Green Bay has utilized nine different configurations up front, and last Sunday was the first game in 2022 where their preferred five started and finished the game.
As of Thursday morning, both David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are questionable, although Tom Pelissero would report that Jenkins is expected to play. Bakhtiari’s status is still up in the air.
As is the case just about every week, the play in the trenches often determines the outcome, but that feels particularly true in this matchup between the Packers and Titans.