Clayton: Seahawks are catching the Tennessee Titans at the right time
Sep 17, 2021, 4:21 PM
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill fumbles after being hit by Cardinals DE Chandler Jones. (Silas Walker/Getty Images)
(Silas Walker/Getty Images)
Last Sunday, the Seahawks caught the Indianapolis Colts at the right time.
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Carson Wentz only had four practices heading into the regular season. The Colts were down their top two left tackles. The offensive line was beaten up and vulnerable. The secondary didn’t have cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
This Sunday in their home opener, the Seahawks may be catching the Tennessee Titan at a good time. The Titans were blown away by the Arizona Cardinals even though they were at home. Kyler Murray shredded the defense.
Where the timing good is because of some of the problems the Titans have along the offensive line and on defense.
Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones beat left tackle Taylor Lewan for five sacks. Lewan is coming off an ACL tear and doesn’t like he’s completely to play great football. People who study injuries think Lewan might struggle in the first month or two for the season, and that’s possible good news for the Seahawks pass rush. Naturally, no Seahawks is going to get five sacks but they could put a lot of pressure on quarterback Ryan Tannehill
The offensive line also has some problems at right tackle and at center. If Tannehill doesn’t have time to get the ball downfield, he can’t take advantage of having the addition of Julio Jones.
On defense, the Titans had the fifth-worst stats for yardage allowed last year, so they were among the league leaders in changing starters. With as many changes as they made, it might take time for the defense to start to come together. That could help the Seahawks offense, which look so good last week.
If the rain comes as expected Sunday, it may for the Titans to run the ball more with Derrick Henry, a 2,000-plus-yard runner from last year.
The Seahawks have some concerns for injuries.
Wide receiver Dee Eskridge and running back Rashaad Penny are doubtful. The Seahawks hope to have left guard Damien Lewis, who is questionable with a groin injury, along with cornerback D.J. Reed (calf) and Bryan Mone (elbow). Those two are also questionable
This will be the first regular season game since 2019 in which the Seahawks will have fans in the stands and that will be a big help. If the Seahawks win and have wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee, they should go 4-0 against the AFC South. Houston and Jacksonville are two of the worst teams in football and should be beatable.
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