Instant observations from Seahawks’ preseason loss vs Titans
A look at five things that stood out from the Seattle Seahawks' 16-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans in preseason action.
Seattle Seahawks Fall in Preseason Thriller to Tennessee Titans
The Seattle Seahawks, under new head coach Mike Macdonald, fell in a closely contested 16-15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans on a field goal as time expired in their second preseason game. While Seattle dominated for much of the game, they couldn't hold onto their lead or replicate the impressive defensive performance from their previous game against the Chargers.
Here are five key takeaways from the game:
1. Sam Howell Shows Promise: Quarterback Sam Howell continued his strong preseason performance with a stellar outing. He showcased his arm talent, extending plays with his legs and demonstrating impressive game management skills. Howell led the Seahawks on a 45-yard drive in the closing seconds of the first half, culminating in a field goal. He finished the game 11 of 14 for 153 yards, including a beautiful 23-yard touchdown pass to Easop Winston Jr.
2. Kenny McIntosh Makes the Most of His Opportunities: Running back Kenny McIntosh, competing for a spot behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, continued to impress. He showed his ability to find running lanes and elude defenders, totaling 46 yards on eight carries and 17 yards on two receptions. McIntosh has consistently averaged over five yards per carry and led the team in rushing in both preseason games.
3. Pass Rush Fades in the Second Half: The Seahawks' edge rushers were impactful early in the game, with Derick Hall, Boye Mafe, and Darrell Taylor generating pressure on Tennessee quarterback Malik Willis. Hall particularly stood out with a tackle at the line of scrimmage on a run play and a sack on the opening drive. However, the pass rush lost its momentum in the second quarter as Tennessee's Mason Rudolph led a 78-yard touchdown drive. The defense struggled to generate pressure in the second half until Mike Morris recorded a third-down sack in the fourth quarter, forcing Tennessee into a long field goal attempt.
4. Defense Takes a Step Back: After dominating the Chargers in the preseason opener, the Seahawks defense experienced a dip in performance. While they initially held the Titans to three consecutive punts, Tennessee started to find rhythm in the passing game, scoring on three of their next four possessions. Seattle was unable to secure a critical stop on Tennessee's game-winning field goal drive in the final minutes.
5. Laviska Shenault Jr. Shows Versatility: Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. continued to make a strong case for a roster spot with a versatile performance on both offense and special teams. The Seahawks targeted him early with short passes and a run, and he helped set up their first field goal with an 18-yard reception. He also showcased his blocking abilities on a 41-yard kickoff return and made a tackle on a kick return.
The Seahawks have shown flashes of potential in the preseason, but they'll need to refine their defense and tighten up their execution if they want to contend for a playoff spot.
The Seattle Seahawks, under new head coach Mike Macdonald, fell in a closely contested 16-15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans on a field goal as time expired in their second preseason game. While Seattle dominated for much of the game, they couldn't hold onto their lead or replicate the impressive defensive performance from their previous game against the Chargers.
Here are five key takeaways from the game:
1. Sam Howell Shows Promise: Quarterback Sam Howell continued his strong preseason performance with a stellar outing. He showcased his arm talent, extending plays with his legs and demonstrating impressive game management skills. Howell led the Seahawks on a 45-yard drive in the closing seconds of the first half, culminating in a field goal. He finished the game 11 of 14 for 153 yards, including a beautiful 23-yard touchdown pass to Easop Winston Jr.
2. Kenny McIntosh Makes the Most of His Opportunities: Running back Kenny McIntosh, competing for a spot behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, continued to impress. He showed his ability to find running lanes and elude defenders, totaling 46 yards on eight carries and 17 yards on two receptions. McIntosh has consistently averaged over five yards per carry and led the team in rushing in both preseason games.
3. Pass Rush Fades in the Second Half: The Seahawks' edge rushers were impactful early in the game, with Derick Hall, Boye Mafe, and Darrell Taylor generating pressure on Tennessee quarterback Malik Willis. Hall particularly stood out with a tackle at the line of scrimmage on a run play and a sack on the opening drive. However, the pass rush lost its momentum in the second quarter as Tennessee's Mason Rudolph led a 78-yard touchdown drive. The defense struggled to generate pressure in the second half until Mike Morris recorded a third-down sack in the fourth quarter, forcing Tennessee into a long field goal attempt.
4. Defense Takes a Step Back: After dominating the Chargers in the preseason opener, the Seahawks defense experienced a dip in performance. While they initially held the Titans to three consecutive punts, Tennessee started to find rhythm in the passing game, scoring on three of their next four possessions. Seattle was unable to secure a critical stop on Tennessee's game-winning field goal drive in the final minutes.
5. Laviska Shenault Jr. Shows Versatility: Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. continued to make a strong case for a roster spot with a versatile performance on both offense and special teams. The Seahawks targeted him early with short passes and a run, and he helped set up their first field goal with an 18-yard reception. He also showcased his blocking abilities on a 41-yard kickoff return and made a tackle on a kick return.
The Seahawks have shown flashes of potential in the preseason, but they'll need to refine their defense and tighten up their execution if they want to contend for a playoff spot.