Titans report card: How we graded Tennessee in their win over Seahawks
Tennessee Titans starters struggled against the Seattle Seahawks, but strong play from reserves secured the preseason win.
The Tennessee Titans secured a narrow win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the preseason, but the game was far from flawless. The starters encountered some difficulties, particularly against the Seahawks' second unit. The defense was underwhelming, allowing two crucial scoring plays in three series, while the offense managed just a single field goal across three drives.
Despite not delivering a stellar performance, head coach Robert Saleh expressed satisfaction overall and expressed enthusiasm for their preparation for the final week of training camp. Below is a detailed assessment of how the Titans fared against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Offense: The Titans' offense managed to pull off the victory, but the execution was far from flawless. The starters faced challenges in their three series, contributing only a single field goal, though they displayed better performance compared to their Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Cam Ward showed improvement, albeit with signs of inconsistency and occasional inaccuracies, particularly when attempting to force passes to rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate, who has yet to catch a ball in two preseason games.
The offensive line proved solid, particularly in the running game, creating consistent pressure on opposing defenses. While there are areas that require refinement, the performance marked a positive step forward for the team.
Defense: Overall, the Titans' defense was solid throughout the match. However, the game will be remembered for the two first-quarter touchdowns conceded on big plays, including the opening score resulting from a missed assignment by safety Kevin Winston Jr., who has performed exceptionally well during the preseason. Rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., stepping in for the starters, demonstrated the makings of a future defensive star.
The second-round pick from Texas exhibited strong leadership, inspiring his teammates to play with greater intensity, energy, and aggressiveness compared to the starters. The special teams unit, led by kicker Joey Slye, who has maintained a perfect record in the preseason, and punter Tommy Townsend, who significantly impacted field position, provided crucial contributions.
Despite occasional penalties in the return game, the coverage units remained effective, thwarting Seattle's attempts to capitalize on their opportunities.
Special Teams: The Titans' special teams unit once again delivered a stellar performance. Kicker Joey Slye has been flawless in the preseason, while punter Tommy Townsend has been a valuable asset, altering field position in critical moments. The coverage units displayed remarkable tenacity and prevented Seattle from exploiting any weaknesses. However, there were still some penalties in the kicking returns, and none of the reserve return specialists managed to secure a position as Chimere Dike's backup.
Coaching: The coaching staff's focus appeared to be on ensuring the team had the necessary reps without any injuries, which is a significant positive. While the starters failed to exhibit the same level of intensity as the reserves, the overall effort displayed by the team was commendable. The lack of a well-thought-out game plan against Seattle, along with the reliance on a straightforward snap-count approach, suggests there is room for improvement in strategic preparation.
Tyjae Spears, the power back, did not receive significant playing time in this game, raising questions about whether he could be utilized effectively in regular-season situations.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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