Story by
Contain Titans DT Jeffery Simmons and Jaguars will wrap up division
- Story by
- Contain Titans DT Jeffery Simmons and Jaguars will wrap up division
One man stands between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the AFC South title: Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons .
Block Simmons and the Jaguars will win.
Don't block Simmons and the Jaguars will struggle and possibly lose.
Advertisement
Not a grandiose statement at all. That's how good Simmons has been for the woeful Titans.
The best defender Jaguars coach Liam Coenhas game-planned for this year?
"If he's not, he's right there without question," Coen said. "He's such a pain because they do a good job moving him around."
Watching the video from the Jaguars-Titans game in Week 14 was eye-popping. Over 50 charted snaps, Simmons lined up on the left side 28 times, right side 19 times, goal-line heavy personnel twice and head-up nose tackle in a two-point stance once.
The Jaguars mostly had an answer for Simmons over his first 46 plays — I credited him with three factor plays.
Advertisement
But over his final four plays, four factor plays. Quarterback pressure. Sack. Knockdown. Run stuff.
"He's extremely strong," Coen said of Simmons. "What he does to people on the football field who are grown men is pretty impressive. I'm not comparing him to (retired Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle) Aaron (Donald), but I was with Aaron on a daily basis (as a Rams assistant) and saw what he did to other grown men and it was like, 'Wow, alright dude, you're different.' I see Jeffrey that way. And it takes a village to prepare for a game-wrecker like him."
Indeed, every Jaguars offensive linemen who plays will get a chance to block Simmons. Center Robert Hainsey was involved in single blocks of Simmons and double-team blocks with, based on the play, then-left tackle Walker Little , left guard Ezra Cleveland and then-right guard Cole Van Lanen, among others. Hainsey missed last week's win at Indianapolis with a groin injury.
More: From O'Halloran: Jacksonville Jaguars in January: Positive developments, potential concerns
Advertisement
About the Jaguars
1. Lawrence's second half:If quarterback Trevor Lawrence played in September-October like he played in late November/all of December, he might be in the NFL MVP conversation.
During the Jaguars' seven-game winning streak, Lawrence ranks third in touchdown passes (16), passer rating (102.4) and yards per attempt (8.2).
2. Hines-Allen's production:It took until Week 9 for Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen to get his first solo sack and he hasn't looked back since. His 7 1/2 sacks since that point are tied for fourth-best in the league.
Per my charting, I have Hines-Allen down for eight sacks, 16 1/2 knockdowns and 38 1/2 pressures for 63 total "disruptions." He is two sacks from his third season with at least 10 (2019 and 2023).
Advertisement
3. Chunk plays:The Jaguars' 11 explosive plays (rush of at least 12 yards or pass of at least 16 yards) in their Week 17 win at Indianapolis was a season high. The previous high was 10 against the New York Jets in Week 15. In the Colts game, the Jaguars had eight explosive passes, led by four from receiver Parker Washington . For the season, the Jaguars have 98 explosives (71 pass/27 rush).
4. Numbers of note:If Lawrence reaches 248 passing yards against Tennessee, he will join Cam Newton (Carolina 2011) and Josh Allen (Buffalo 2023) with at least 4,000 passing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in a season. … If the Jaguars can close out the season No. 1 in rush defense, it will not only be their first time achieving the top spot, but only the third time in franchise history among the top five in run defense. … Washington leads the Jaguars with seven drawn penalties.
Extra points
1. Saluting Deckerhoff:Jacksonville native Gene Deckerhoff(Forest High School, now Westside) announced his retirement as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' play-by-play voice at season's end after 37 seasons. Deckerhoff, who lives in Tallahassee, was the voice of Florida State football and men's basketball until 2022.
Advertisement
2. Taylor doesn't advance:Former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor did not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame cut to 15 finalists . Frank Gore is the only running back among the finalists and he deserves induction because his 16,000 rushing yards are third all-time. But shouldn't there be more respect for football's most physically-demanding position? No way should a finalist list include only one running back. Two keys for Taylor moving forward is Gore and the maximum five candidates gaining enough votes for induction in August.
3. Sims finishes career:A hat tip to quarterback Jeff Sims (Sandalwood High School) for completing his six-year college career with Arizona State in its Sun Bowl loss to Duke. Sims, who turned 24 on Jan. 1, initially committed to Florida State in 2019, but re-opened his recruiting after Willie Taggartwas fired. Sims played three years at Georgia Tech (23 starts), one year at Nebraska and two years at Arizona State. Sims went 10-21 as a starter with 36 touchdown passes and 16 touchdown rushes.
4. Yulee Bulldozer still rolling: Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (Yulee High School) keeps on keeping on. Per column contributor/football historian Dan Daly, Henry's 36-carry, 216-yard, four-touchdown game against Green Bay on Dec. 27 was the first in NFL history by a back age 30 or older to have at least 35 carries, 200 yards and four touchdowns. Henry, 31, is one rushing touchdown from tying Marcus Allenfor third-most in league history (121) and 31 rushing yards from joining Barry Sandersas the only players with five 1,500-yard seasons.
CFP Semifinal selections
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 8) — Miami vs. Ole Miss:The Hurricanes' defense against the Rebels' offense is the best matchup of this round. Miami's front will be the difference. Miami 23-20.
Advertisement
Peach Bowl (Jan. 9) — Oregon vs. Indiana:The system is designed for quick turnarounds, but what Indiana is doing remains remarkable, a product of roster evaluation and development. Indiana 35-30.
Records:2-2 quarterfinals, 33-32 overall.
Sunday selections
Tennessee at Jaguars:The Jaguars will accept their AFC South title hats and T-shirts after closing the regular season with eight consecutive wins. Jaguars 27-14.
Top game — Seattle at San Francisco (Saturday):The winner is the NFC's No. 1 seed, gets a bye and home-field advantage; the loser likely travels cross country to Carolina or Tampa . Kyle Shanahandeserves Coach of the Year consideration. 49ers 29-26.
Advertisement
Lock — L.A. Chargers at Denver :No Justin Herbert (and probably others) for the Chargers equals no problem for the Broncos to wrap the AFC's top seed. Broncos 30-17.
Upset — Baltimore at Pittsburgh :Somebody has to win the AFC North and the conference's No. 4 seed and Vegas has lost all faith in Aaron Rodgers . The Steelers win as a home underdog. Steelers 13-10.
Records:2-2 last week, 38-24 overall.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Contain Titans DT Jeffery Simmons and Jaguars will wrap up division
