Why Washington Commanders QB Carson Wentz should have nightmares about Tennessee Titans defense
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz has put up some big numbers this season and the Tennessee Titans' defense should be licking its chops.
Wentz, playing for his third team in three years, has spent a great deal of time on the ground after being sacked 17 times, which is the most in the NFL. He also has five interceptions and three intentional grounding penalties.
Those are the kind of numbers the Titans (2-2), who play at Washington (1-3) on Sunday (noon, CBS) at FedEx Field, are zeroed in on hoping to exploit as they go for their third straight win.
"That shows the type of quarterback (Wentz) is," Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said Wednesday. "He wants to make his throw downfield. He's going to hold the ball, look downfield, and that's an opportunity for us. That goes back to winning up front. You have affect guys like that. When he's looking downfield that means he'd not looking at the rush."
Wentz was sacked a career-high nine times two weeks ago in a 24-8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was hurried another 17 times. Wentz was sacked twice and threw two interceptions last week against Dallas.
TAYLOR LEWAN INJURY: Knee injury could end Taylor Lewan's career
SECOND HALF WOES: https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2022/10/02/tennessee-titans-indianapolis-colts-score-afc-south/695212
TITANS' GRADES: Titans gets As and Fs in win over the Colts
Last week at Indianapolis, nose tackle Teair Tart made one of the most spectacular plays of the season for the Titans when he tipped a Matt Ryan pass to himself and intercepted it. That set up a Titans touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill to tight end Chig Okonkwo.
Tart believes the potential is there again this week for a big play against the Washington offense, which is ranked No. 23 (330.8 yards) in the league.
"It definitely gives you the opportunity to go out there and make plays," Tart said. "I'm extremely excited to get out there and just compete. Whether they have zero sacks or 17, I'm going to go out there and give it my all."
The Titans sacked Ryan three times. Tennessee has a total of 10 sacks this season led by linebacker Rashad Weaver with four , defensive end Danico Autry with three and Simmons with two.
The secondary will also play a key role in trying to continue to give Wentz fits. Safety Kevin Byard said the unit better be prepared to be tested early and often by Wentz.
"This is a team that wants to throw the ball vertically down the field," said Byard, who got his first interception of the season in Week 3 in the end zone against the Las Vegas Raiders. "As defensive backs we have to understand we have to play the deep ball this week. It's going to be a big key for us to not allow them to throw the ball over our heads and make them earn everything."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Carson Wentz should have nightmares about Tennessee Titans defense
