NASHVILLE — The stat sheet showed New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith was mistaken about the Tennessee Titans not touching him even once during Sunday’s season opener for both teams at Nissan Stadium.
Yes, the home team’s defense did hit Smith once.
That was it.
After the Titans revamped their front around veteran tackle Jeffery Simmons, an All-Pro first-team selection last season, they made clear that group would set the tone not just for the defense but the team as a whole. With the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) visiting next, the Titans know what has to happen after losing 23-10 to the Jets.
“We have to do better up front, and that’s going to be our challenge,” Simmons said Wednesday. “That’s what we expect from this team, from the coaches and in front of the guys in our room. We want the pressure on us. We expect to play better, and we need to play it better.”
That the Titans didn’t play better on defense in the opener was a surprise.
Tennessee traded for end Jermaine Johnson II and signed linemen John Franklin-Myers and Jacob Martin before drafting Keldric Faulk at the end of the first round. They also have Oluwafemi Oladejo, a second-round draft pick in 2025.
This also was the first game with Robert Saleh calling the defensive plays, something he didn’t do when coaching the Jets from 2021-24 that he believes will help him be better the second time around as an NFL head coach with Tennessee.
With the Titans holding joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears — all playoff teams last season — they saw signs this defense could stop the run and pressure quarterbacks.
It’s also why Saleh hired Aaron Whitecotton to coach an aggressive group of linemen.
Saleh saw the mistakes against the Jets and believes “those are very easily correctable,” and safety Kevin Winston Jr. agreed the trouble Titans had in the opener can be fixed after watching video and practicing.
“We don’t want to be repeat offenders,” Winston said.
Before trying to sack any quarterback, the Titans have to stop the run on first and second downs. They gave up 152 rushing yards to the Jets, who ran the ball 39 times, including 10 consecutive plays while seizing control in the first half.
Simmons knows he missed a chance at one sack himself.
“We didn’t make enough plays in this game,” Simmons said. “Especially up front.”
Running back Saquon Barkley averaged 5.5 yards per rush for the Eagles last weekend in their season-opening 24-22 win against the Washington Commanders, while quarterback Jalen Hurts added 46 yards on seven carries.
“It’s another great opportunity this week,” Simmons said.
On the injury front, Saleh said linebacker Cedric Gray practiced Wednesday as he works his way through the concussion protocol and the Titans are hopeful he’s back by the end of the week.
James Williams (elbow strain) practiced in a yellow, noncontact jersey, but fellow linebacker Mohamoud Diabate has been ruled out for Sunday’s game as he recovers from surgery on a broken thumb.