Seahawks Seek Win Against Struggling Titans in Key Matchup

The Seattle Seahawks aim to bounce back from a narrow defeat as they face the struggling Tennessee Titans on November 26, 2023. After a 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle holds a record of 7-3 and remains determined to maintain its momentum as the NFL approaches the playoff stretch. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “There needs to be a sense of urgency now because we’ve got to start playing our best football, we’re in the second half of the year going into the last quarter of the season.”

Seattle has performed well on the road this season, boasting an impressive 11-2 record under Macdonald. In contrast, the Titans have struggled significantly, currently sitting at 1-9. They are on a five-game losing streak, with four of those losses occurring since Brian Callahan was relieved of his coaching duties and replaced by interim coach Mike McCoy. The Titans have also endured a dismal home record, losing nine consecutive games at Nissan Stadium, just two shy of the franchise record since relocating to Tennessee.

In their last outing, the Titans squandered a 6-0 lead, ultimately falling 16-13 to the Houston Texans. McCoy acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “We’ve just got to make more plays more consistently.” The Seahawks, who currently rank fourth in the NFL with 32 sacks, were unable to register any against the Rams. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams noted that their performance could improve, stating, “Overall, we just didn’t put ourselves in enough situations where they had to truly drop back and pass.”

Seattle’s defense will be looking to capitalize on the struggles of Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who has been sacked an NFL-leading 41 times this season, including three times in last week’s game. Ward has faced at least two sacks in every game so far, which could provide the Seahawks’ defense with opportunities to make significant plays.

Despite the Titans’ challenges, they welcomed back key defensive players last week, including three-time Pro Bowl tackle Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Arden Key. Their return helped Tennessee achieve a season-low for points allowed. Simmons, who has recorded 5.5 sacks despite missing parts of three games, remains a key player for the Titans. Macdonald praised Simmons, stating, “He plays hard, plays physical, and they do a good job of moving him around and matching him up.”

On the offensive side, Seahawks wide receiver JSN leads the NFL with 1,146 receiving yards, surpassing his total from last season. He is currently 208 yards ahead of the next closest receiver and is on track to become one of the few players in NFL history to record at least 75 yards receiving in each of his first ten games of a season. With another 75 yards on Sunday, he could join Marvin Harrison and teammate Cooper Kupp in achieving this remarkable feat.

In stark contrast, the Titans’ offense continues to struggle, ranking last in the league in total yards and scoring a mere 14.3 points per game. Their inability to extend drives due to penalties has hindered their performance, with tight end Chig Okonkwo admitting, “Honestly, I can’t tell you exactly what it is because each week the things we put on tape is not what we are preaching.”

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been an essential contributor to Seattle’s offensive efforts, leading the team with 606 rushing yards on 136 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Walker’s consistent performances have helped the Seahawks surpass 100 rushing yards in three of their last four games, including 67 yards in each of the past two weeks.

As the Seahawks prepare to face the Titans, the outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for both teams. Seattle is eager to reclaim its winning form, while Tennessee seeks to break its losing streak and find an identity moving forward. With both teams facing pressure, fans can anticipate an exciting contest as the NFL season nears its critical final stretch.