From a talent standpoint, the New York Jets actually match up well against the Tennessee Titans for Week 1.

However, there are certain areas where the Jets can be exploited. One way is in the slot game, while another is up front.

For the Jets to stay in the game, limiting Jeffery Simmons is crucial.

The Jets must stop Simmons

One of the Jets’ toughest tasks on Sunday will be to limit the impact of Simmons, Tennessee’s three-time All-Pro defensive tackle. During the 2025 season, Simmons’ 9.6% pressure rate led all defensive linemen, while his 11 sacks also led the position.

When looking at the numbers, the Jets don’t have the strongest interior offensive lineman to lock down a 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman who was the best pass rusher at his position last season.

At right guard, Joe Tippmann allowed six sacks during the 2025 season, tied for the third most among guards. The Jets’ first-year left guard, Dylan Parham, also allowed six sacks last year. Lastly, center Josh Myers surrendered three sacks, the ninth-most among all centers.

In Tippmann and Myers’ case, some of their pass-blocking numbers can be skewed against them because of how long the Jets’ QBs held onto the ball. However, this year they will be protecting a QB in Geno Smith, who struggles under pressure.

Smith also struggled with turnovers in 2025, leading the league with 17 interceptions. That creates another mismatch between him and Simmons, as the defensive tackle led his position in turnovers generated by pressure with five.

The pressure is on for all three of those players to take a step forward as pass-protectors, especially Myers, who is the weak link on the Jets’ offensive line.

According to Pro Football Focus, in 2025, Simmons played 254 of his 751 defensive snaps (33.8%) lined up at DLT, which means across from the right guard. He also played another 208 at DRT, across from the left guard.

While it remains unknown how first-year Titans head coach and defensive play-caller Robert Saleh will use him, 462 of his 751 snaps last season (61.5%) came lined up over a guard.

Simmons’ role will largely depend on the Jets’ offensive game plan. If the Jets rely on quick passes and play-action concepts that don’t give Simmons time to get home and wreak havoc, they can eliminate him on certain plays.

Where you can’t ignore him, however, is on third down. Last season, he generated a whopping 7.5 sacks on third down, the most among defensive tackles.

It will be intriguing to see how the Jets handle him from a matchup standpoint, though, when they aren’t rolling with play-action looks or checkdowns/quick passes.

It’s fair to assume that he will face a good bunch of double teams from the Jets’ interior, but he proved that he could work around those last season. Simmons’ 18 pressures after double teams led the league at his position.

At the end of the day, he is bound to make a few really solid plays throughout the game. The Jets’ task, though, is to keep him from taking over and consistently ruining offensive momentum.

If they can do that, their chances of leaving Nashville with a win increase drastically. If not, things can get ugly.