This is how to get a jump in the NFL.
Titans Pro Bowler Jefferey Simmons timed the snap perfectly against the Houston Texans Sunday and was on top of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud as soon as he took the ball from center Jake Andrews.
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Stroud never stood a chance. Simmons wrapped up Stroud and took him down for the fastest NFL sack in years.
Per NFL’s NextGen Stats, Simmons sacked Stroud in 2.09 seconds for the fastest NFL sack in two seasons. Simmons was across the line of scrimmage in 0.32 seconds, faster than any player in the league this season.
So how did it happen? It was a combination of great timing and athleticism from Simmons and a breakdown from Houston’s offensive line.
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Simmons timed the snap perfectly and was in Houston’s backfield before Stroud pulled away from under center. Once he was there, he met zero resistance.
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Andrews ignored him and shifted left to block James Lynch, giving Simmons a free look at Stroud. Andrews was one of four Titans players including tight end Harrison Bryant to block Lynch. Tight end Dalton Schultz, meanwhile, didn’t block anyone as Simmons ran free into the backfield.
It’s not clear who was supposed to block whom. But the Texans surely didn’t intend for four players to converge on Lynch. Assignments were missed. And it added up to Stroud being slammed to the turf before the play even started.
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