Despite playing primarily their backups, the Seattle Seahawks raced out to an early double-digit lead. Ultimately, however, they couldn’t get the job done as they dropped their second preseason game 19-16 on the road against the Tennessee Titans.
In addition to the loss, the Seahawks will be without rookie safety Bud Clark (broken ankle) and offensive lineman Mason Richman (undisclosed) for several months as both suffered long-term injuries in the first half.
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Unlike last week against the Dallas Cowboys where quarterbacks Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe alternated every two drives, each was given a half to play. Lock kicked it off and the veteran quarterback generated the team’s best quarter yet, helping Seattle (0-2) put up 16 first quarter points. He finished with 102 passing yards and a touchdown. Milroe, on the other hand, struggled. The team failed to record any points while he was on the field as he netted just 52 passing yards and was picked twice. He also took another fourth-down sack.
The team looked far more sound on the defensive front, with linebackers Chazz Surratt and Chris Paul Jr. producing big plays against Tennessee‘s (2-0) starting offense, which only managed field goals.
The Titans won the coin toss and opted to defer, which proved to be a poor decision as Lock helped Seattle march down the field for a quick eight-play, 79 yard score. He connected with second year tight end Elijah Arroyo on 3rd and 1 at midfield to move the sticks before finding him wide open on the following play for a 36-yard touchdown to put the Seahawks up 7-0 with 11:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
Unlike Seattle, Tennessee opted to play the majority of their starters, including quarterback Cam Ward who led a field goal drive on their first possession. Tony Pollard got the best of the Seahawks backups with a 33 yard gain to extend the drive, but rookie Andre Fuller made his presence felt on the following third down play with strong (and questionable) coverage against Elic Ayomanor to force a field goal.
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Jacardia Wright secured his first career touchdown and extended the Seahawks’ league when he broke free for a 69-yard score led by blocks from center Christian Haynes and wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr., who’s continued to impress. However, Jason Myers missed the extra point from 48 yards out.
The Titans were unable to convert on the ensuing drive, with Surratt delivering a big hit at the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 2 followed by a stop by Paul Jr. at Tennessee’s own 35 to force the first turnover of the game.
Seattle received some help from Cor’Dale Flott’s illegal conduct penalty on the opening play of the drive, but Lock and company were unable to build off the promising field position. Despite his earlier shank, Myers converted from the same distance he missed from before to put the Seahawks up 16-3 at 13:40 in the opening frame.
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Seattle scored on all three of their first quarter drives.
The Seahawks forced their first punt of the game on the Titans next possession, but it didn’t come cleanly. Noah Igbinhoghene was called for a rather soft pass interference 3rd and 8 to extend the drive. However, the defense kept their composure and delivered three consecutive stops, highlighted by a sack from Surratt — his second notable play of the half.
Despite a stagnant look from Seattle’s offense on the ensuing drive, a face mask from Oluwafemi Oladejo provided some assistance and Cedric Gray bailed them out just two plays later with an unsportsmanlike penalty to put the Seahawks within field goal range. But, it was all for nothing as Myers’ shaky night continued, hooking the 44 yard attempt wide right.
Seattle’s defense forced a three-and-out as Mitch Trubisky entered for Ward but Cody White fumbled the punt return and it was recovered by Tennessee at the Seahawks 11 yard line. On third down, Trubisky scrambled to the right and found Xavier Restrepo for the four-yard score but it was called by after Jackson Slater was flagged for offensive holding, prompting the Titans to settle for a field goal.
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With time winding down, the Titans were finally able to force a punt and took advantage of it. Julius Chestnut had a 16 yard catch and run entering the two-minute drill and Trubisky found Ayomanor later in the drive to thrust Tennesse into Seattle territory. Ayomanor’s grab set up a Joey Slye field goal on the last play of the half, but the Seahawks still entered the locker room with a somewhat comfortable 16-9 lead.
Tennessee turned the ball over to Will Levis in the second half, who wasn’t able to generate any offense on his first drive. Jamie Sheriff and Connor O’Toole capped it off with a sack on third down.
Milroe entered the game for Seattle and was tasked with a difficult situation after Logan Brown committed a false start on the opening play to eventually set up 2nd and 14. However, Milroe delivered with a 16 yard scramble.
Brock Lampe‘s offensive holding halted the momentum once again, but Milroe connected with Foster Jr. for a 24 yard gain. Despite two promising plays, the drive resulted in a punt.
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Back-to-back big runs for the Titans set them up near midfield, but the Seahawks young came through. Michael Dansby broke up what would’ve been a first down conversion intended for Tyren Montgomery before nearly intercepting Levis on the following play as he took a deep shot into double coverage, looking for Bryce Oliver.
On the following possession, Milroe delivered a throw directly into the hands of Anthony Hill Jr., who dropped back into coverage and gave Tennessee promising field position at Seattle’s 38 yard line.
Levis opened the drive with two productive runs, putting the Titans just outside the redzone. Tasked with a 3rd and 8, Seattle was hit with too many men on the field to set up a much easier third down conversion but Connor O’Toole came up big a big hit to force fourth down. Slye converted his fourth field goal of the night, which cut the deficit to four with 14:55 remaining in the game.
Milroe’s third series was hardly any better. He failed to complete either of his passes before taking a costly sack on third down to once again send the ball back to Tennessee, giving them a chance to take their first lead of the game.
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That’s exactly what they did.
The Titans marched down the field and D’Ernest Johnson capped off the 13-play, 64 yard drive that spanned nearly seven minutes by punching it in for a two-yard score as Tennessee took a 19-16 lead with 5:45 remaining.
Milroe seemingly got the Seahawks back on track when he connected downfield with Ricky White III or a third down conversion but it was nullified due to offensive pass interference. The second year quarterback found Julian Hicks to set up a 4th and 3 but once again couldn’t find anyone and was sacked.
Trailing by three with 3:59 remaining, Seattle’s defense came up with a big stop on 4th and 1 to prevent Hendon Hooker, the Titans fourth quarterback of the night from ending the game.
Pressured out of the pocket on the ensuing play, Milroe delivered a pass intended for rookie Emmanuel Henderson Jr. but he slipped, leading to an interception by Derrick Canteen.
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Hooker found Montgomery for a 20 yard gain just inside the 2:00 minute drill to seal the game.
Next week’s opponent
The Seahawks will wrap up their preseason when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, August 28 at 5:00 PT on KING-5.
