The Tennessee Titans sported an elite run defense in each of the past two years and through the first quarter of 2023, and the team has been on a historic tear in that span.
So it was surprising when Tennessee got gashed for 193 yards on the ground against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Making it more surprising was the fact that it was Zack Moss doing it and not Jonathan Taylor.
The common thought is that the absence of defensive lineman Teair Tart was the big reason behind the showing, but fellow lineman Jeffery Simmons says it was about more than that.
“If you go back and look at the tape, it wasn’t them guys just knocking us off the ball, it was guys not doing their job,” Simmons said, per John Glennon of Nashville Post. “We maybe come off the ball, we share too early, we playing peek-a-boo. I think that’s what hurt us the most, not just who wasn’t there. I think it was more of the Titans versus the Titans. Us getting out of our gaps and the running back being so patient. He hit them holes pretty hard once we did get out of our gap. I think that was the main thing, I don’t think it was just because a certain guy wasn’t there.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel agreed with at least part of Simmons’ assessment.
“They blocked us and we got out of gaps, and when you play peek-a-boo, those things happen,” Vrabel said, according to AtoZ Sports.
Tennessee’s issues upfront were certainly more than just about one man, but Tart’s absence certainly didn’t help — and his status remains up in the air for Week 6 after not practicing on Wednesday.
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