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How the Tennessee Titans can bounce back vs the Chicago Bears

By Brady Akins

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans signals to the other teams after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 33-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans signals to the other teams after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 33-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) after a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) after a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

A Big Day From Big Jeff

Squint hard enough and you might find a bright spot in the chasm of endless sadness that is the 2020 Tennessee Titans defense– and that’s star defensive end, Jeffery Simmons. If he wasn’t already carrying the Titans defense on his massive shoulders, Week 9 against the Bears would be the perfect time for him to start.

Not only is Simmons far and away the highest performing player on the Titans miserable defensive depth chart, but in just his second year, Simmons is one of the best performing defensive tackles in the league. Winning on 52% of his run-stopping reps, Simmons ranks first among all defensive tackles in the NFL at shutting down the run, helping in a major way to boost a suspect Tennessee defense into one that’s actually kind of okayish at slowing down opposing running backs.

As crazy as it might be to say about this year’s Titans team, Tennessee’s defense might actually have the edge in this game– and it’s because of Simmons’ strength as a run stopper. The Bears are a team that already struggles to run the ball, in large part due to poor play at the guard and center position, and now will have to go toe to toe with the best run-stopper in the league.

A strong showing from Big Jeff will only make life for the rest of the Titans easier. If Simmons and the rest of the defensive line can neutralize a Chicago running game with will be without the aid of starting center Cody Whitehair and his backup Sam Mustipher, Tennessee will be able to dedicate more resources to slowing down the Bears passing attack… easier said than done, right?

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