The Tennessee Titans are a day away from their last-place showdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12 at Nissan Stadium.
This contest probably won’t have any future implications on the playoffs, but this game could impact the upcoming NFL draft order.
A loss by the Titans would inch them closer to the No. 1 overall pick and possibly put them inside the top five going into Week 13, depending on how things go with the teams in front of them.
On the contrary, securing a fourth win over a Panthers team that only has one victory this season would all but eliminate any chance of realistically securing the first pick in the draft.
That reality puts the fanbase in a weird position where a lot of fans aren’t sure whether they should be rooting for a win on Sunday. While you don’t necessarily have to hope for the Titans to lose, if that does happen, at least there is a real silver lining that could help ease the pain.
When it comes to the on-field product, there are a couple of intriguing matchups that will play a massive role in deciding Sunday’s outcome.
I went ahead and picked the three that intrigue me most, so let’s find out which matchups I’ll be keeping an eye on tomorrow.
QB Will Levis vs. QB Bryce Young
These two technically won’t be facing each other, but let’s be real: the battle of these two rookie quarterbacks is the only reason this game has even a sliver of relevancy this week.
Will Levis admitted that the Panthers essentially told him they had no interest in making him the No. 1 overall pick during the pre-draft process.
Will Levis says he never expected to be drafted by the #Panthers.
There was a fake report that came out about him being told he was going 1st overall, he says he was basically told the opposite.
Levis is excited to take on Carolina with the #Titans this week.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) November 21, 2023
He now has the chance to make the Panthers regret that decision if he lights up their banged-up secondary on Sunday that will likely be without Jeremy Chinn, Jaycee Horn and CJ Henderson.
And that’s especially true if Bryce Young continues his rookie woes against a Titans defense that isn’t very good right now. However, when you consider the way Tennessee’s unit has played in 2023, this could also be the type of game that allows Young to find his groove.
Both quarterbacks ultimately have favorable matchups. We’ll have to wait and see if either of them takes advantage in order to give their fanbase something to cheer for on Sunday.
DT Jeffery Simmons vs. LG Chandler Zavala
This has the potential to be the most lopsided matchup of the day.
To say Chandler Zavala has struggled this year would be putting it nicely. The rookie guard has been a disaster whenever he’s been forced to play, with Zavala earning an overall grade of 26.5 after he’s accounted for six sacks allowed and three penalties on 361 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
At one point, the North Carolina State product received a pass-blocking grade of 0.0 after he allowed a whopping 14 pressures in one game. With Brady Christensen now on injured reserve, it’s Zavala’s job going forward, and that should have Simmons salivating ahead of Week 12.
Simmons isn’t having the All-Pro type of season we’re accustomed to, but he’s still a dominant presence along the interior.
good lord Jeffery Simmons pic.twitter.com/BGhFVwP4Yt
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 22, 2023
According to ESPN analytics, the Mississippi State product has one of the highest pass-rush win rates at his position (13 percent), recording five sacks thus far, which is the 11th-most amongst all defensive tackles.
It’s probably a safe bet that we see Simmons lined across from Zavala throughout the game. While he will likely face a lot of double teams, there will be times when those two are going to have to face off one-on-one.
When that happens, No. 98 must find a way to take advantage and wreak havoc on the Panthers’ offense.
Titans’ offensive line vs. DT Derrick Brown, OLB Brown Burns
The Titans’ offensive line has been a mess all year long. Tennessee has now resorted to benching the left tackle they gave a $29 million contract to in favor of their sixth-round rookie, Jaelyn Duncan.
Tennessee’s entire left side will now consist of rookies, while the rest of the offensive line is filled by players that you could argue should all be backups.
This week, that group is set to face a couple of very talented defenders who are still performing at a high level despite the Panthers’ struggles.
Both Brian Burns and Derrick Brown are capable of making their presence felt at any given moment. The two of them have a combined for an average grade of 75.4, totaling 86 tackles and seven sacks between the two of them. They’re a potent tandem because they’re well-rounded defenders who are both capable of dominating in different ways.
On obvious passing downs, the Titans must have a plan for Burns at all times or risk him ruining a play before it even has a chance to develop.
Brian Burns picks up his third sack of the season—get a look at the outside-in move. Crosses 78 up.
Derrick Brown wins his rep w ease, too.
This should be happening on at least 75% of the pass drops, considering the matchups. pic.twitter.com/448mpr2FXn
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) September 24, 2023
In the run game, the offensive line has to find a way to displace Brown from his spot to create running room for Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears.
I say it a lot, but Derrick Brown's size, explosiveness, play strength and physicality make it a long day at the office having to block him pic.twitter.com/YaByiIjSih
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 21, 2023
Brown currently owns the highest run-stop rate at his position (12.4 percent) and ninth-highest grade against the run (73.3).
Derrick Brown, 2023 DT Ranks pic.twitter.com/p1orhDYkon
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) November 22, 2023
Both can certainly impact the game in other ways, but if Tennessee is unable to consistently keep them in check, it could be another long day for the Titans’ offense.
