The Tennessee Titans enter their Week 9 battle against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium as massive underdogs, partly thanks to the respective natures of their 5-2 starts.
According to Tipico Sportsbook, Tennessee is a 12-point underdog to Kansas City, which is slightly down from the 12.5 it was to start the week.
It’s fair to say there aren’t many out there giving the Titans a chance to win this game, but this is exactly the type of scenario Tennessee’s star defensive lineman, Jeffery Simmons, loves.
“They have a good team. We know them. They know us,” Simmons said on Thursday. “They haven’t changed. And honestly, we might be missing a couple pieces, but we haven’t changed, and the same with them. They still got Mahomes, they still got Travis Kelce. They want to get the ball to Travis Kelce a lot, and I mean, they got Mahomes back there, who is really a good player. Man, I live for games like this where no one expects us to go in and get a big win. I’m juiced up every game, but games like this just mean a little more to me, because I know what type of team I have, we have here in Tennessee.”
Check out what else Simmons and the Titans had to say about the Chiefs.
DL Jeffery Simmons
On the matchup vs. Chiefs’ O-line:
“I know especially that our front four, when we go out there… I watch tape. So I’m looking at the offensive linemen that we have to play against, and I’m very confident that we can go out there and dominate them,” he said. “Like I said, they know us, we know them. I’m looking forward to the matchup upfront. Whoever it may be. [Joe] Thuney or Trey Smith at the guard position. But I’m very confident in our defense going out there and having a great day.”
HC Mike Vrabel
"There is just a consistency, but also a willingness to always push forward and take advantage of his personnel. He is a Hall of Fame football coach." – Vrabel on Reid #Titans #Chiefs
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 2, 2022
#Titans Mike Vrabel on the Chiefs big play offense: pic.twitter.com/XmsHzb90r2
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) November 2, 2022
RB Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry on what makes the #Chiefs defense so good: pic.twitter.com/u1Bd8lT7et
— Niki Lattarulo (@NikiLattarulo) November 3, 2022
S Kevin Byard
#Titans safety @KevinByard on the challenge vs @Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/iMwv9MNxt0
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 2, 2022
#Titans Kevin Byard on Travis Kelce: pic.twitter.com/uz000oycgv
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) November 2, 2022
QB Malik Willis
On playing in Kansas City:
“It’s going to be a great environment,” Willis said. “They’re going to have 80,000 people yelling at us, but that’s cool. I mean, that’s what you play for. They have a really good defense and we just have to go out there and try to and execute the game plan.”
DC Shane Bowen
On the 2021 meeting with Chiefs:
“Last year was last year… We know there ain’t many games like that with the Chiefs. Very very rare. We caught them on the right day, right? We played well. They probably didn’t play up to their standard, obviously, and they know that… So, we’re ready for the challenge this week. We know what’s coming at us come Sunday.”
On Patrick Mahomes:
“Ultimately, Mahomes is able to create plays that most aren’t… He’s able to elude pressure, to extend plays. And you get all these faster guys, these stronger guys that they’re able to catch it and separate… And they’re tough to tackle once they do get the ball… They’re rolling.”
