Seahawks schedule breakdown: Early preview versus Titans week 2
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks play a couple of good AFC South teams early in the season. Week two at home against the Titans might be the toughest of the first two games. Sure, the Colts are a good team in week one and should be better at the quarterback position this year but the Titans might have the better overall team.
The NFC West is going to be tough so Seattle needs to win as many games out of the division as possible. While the Titans are good, they probably aren’t as good as the Rams and 49ers so Seattle needs to win this game at Lumen Field.
But what should a 12 watch for when the Seahawks host their first home game of 2021? Maybe what is below.
Seahawks have a tough test in the Tennessee Titans
Key additions for Titans: Receiver Julio Jones, edge rusher Bud Dupree, defensive lineman Denico Autry, cornerback Janoris Jenkins
The concern with the Titans getting Julio Jones as far as when the Seahawks play the Titans is that Tennessee has some really big receivers and Seattle will mostly have smaller cornerbacks. 50/50 passes could decide who wins the game.
While the Titans might not be any better defensively this coming season, adding Dupree and Autry will definitely make their pass rush better.
Key departures for Titans: Receiver Corey Davis, Cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and tight end Jonnu Smith
Clowney never worked out because, well, he once again got injured. Davis was never consistent and Tennessee made a smart move to let him walk. I do think that the loss of Smith is going to be a huge factor as he was an excellent pass-catching tight end.
Advantages for Seahawks: Russell Wilson and the passing offense
Tennessee did sign Janoris Jenkins in free agency but he isn’t really that good anymore. In 2020, even on a good Saints defense, Jenkins allowed 8.1 yards per catch when targeted his worst since 2015. Butler was a decent veteran and Jackson was just OK but while the Titans pass rush should be better their secondary will not. Wilson and D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should have a big day in week two.
Advantages for Titans: Run offense, height at receiver
Tennessee is going to have an advantage with Derrick Henry in every game they play, but Seattle is thin at defensive tackle and might struggle to stop the run a bit in 2021. If Tennessee can control the clock and keep Wilson and company off the field, they win.
Next. Seahawks will need to pay both starting safeties by 2022. dark
And when Tennessee does throw the ball, maybe Ryan Tannehill should just throw it up because Jones and AJ Brown are going to have a huge height advantage over D.J. Reed and others. OK, maybe Tre Flowers is tall but is he any good?