The Seahawks return to Nashville a year after holding joint practices. This time, it counts. Seattle needs a bounce back win after a rough defeat in Los Angeles. This is not a game where they can prove much against a 1-9 Titans squad with an interim coach, rookie quarterback, and a bevy of injuries. Seahawks fans may be eager for another blowout against an overmatched team, but the Titans have made a lot of teams sweat this season. The Broncos, Rams, Colts, Texans, Patriots, and Chargers have all had their hands full for a half or three quarters against Tennessee. There are some misleading final scores, like when the Texans led 6-0 after three quarters before blowing the game open 26-0. The Patriots were ahead by only 4 points at halftime (17-13) before dominating the second half and winning 31-13.

There is no doubt the Seahawks are the more talented team and should be able to play poorly and still win. Vegas has them as the biggest road favorite (13.5 points) in franchise history. More important than the final score is getting Sam Darnold an opportunity to move past the disastrous outing against the Rams. He needs to start throwing up some zeroes the next few weeks in terms of turnovers while still finding the right moments to attack and put up points.

It should be a chance to see how the coaching staff starts to adjust to what they saw against the Rams. Few teams will be able to replicate the Rams game plan, but there were some coaching choices that could be reexamined for Seattle in terms of just how much they lean into Darnold versus the run game.

Lineup Notes

We will find out if Grey Zabel will play this week over the coming days. He did not practice on Wednesday, and there is a decent chance that Christian Haynes will start at left guard. Olu Oluwatimi remains at center with Jalen Sundell on IR. Tory Horton Jr. remains a question mark to play in this one. Safety Coby Bryant was a limited participant with a new foot injury. Tyrice Knight did not practice as he goes through the concussion protocol, but Ernest Jones was a full go.

The Titans have lost some former Seahawks the past few weeks. Dre’Mont Jones was traded to the Ravens. Quandre Diggs was given his release to find another team. Tyler Lockett was also released and now plays for the Raiders. Cody Barton starts at linebacker. Jerrick Reed was claimed, but has not yet been active.

Cam Ward is well known in the PNW for his time at the helm of the Washington State Cougar team. T’Vondre Sweat is a former teammate of Byron Murphy II at Texas.

There are some injuries to monitor for the Titans. Jeffrey Simmons is one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the sport, and he did not practice with a hamstring injury. Starting guard Kevin Zeitler did not practice with a back injury. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley was lost for the season last week, and now rookie receiver Elic Ayomanor has a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice. Tennessee traded corner Roger McCreary and now corner Darrell Baker Jr. did not practice with a knee injury.

DVOA

Tale of the Tape features DVOA data, courtesy of FTNFantasy.com. If you remember the great Football Outsiders site that used to publish DVOA rankings, you should know that data has moved to FTNFantasy. The table below shows how the two teams match up from a DVOA perspective.

The rare 1 vs 32 matchup in DVOA occurs in Nashville this week. Seattle has advantages across the board. The Titans have done a decent job against tight ends and Seattle has struggled a bit against them. The Titans do utilize their tight ends a lot, so that may show up.

Seahawks Offense vs Titans Defense

Titans key advantages on defense

Simmons can wreck any play at any time against almost any team. If he plays, he may have his choice of Christian Haynes or Anthony Bradford to torment. Cedric Gray has been a great middle linebacker in his second season, especially against the run. Kevin Winston Jr. is a big rookie safety who is coming off his first start of the year. He is a promising player.

Sweat is a disruptive run stuffer at defensive tackle, and edge Arden Key just had his first game back from injury and played well. Barton can make some plays in pass coverage.

Seahawks key advantages on offense

The secondary is so young and lacking in top talent. It is hard to imagine anyone slowing down Cooper Kupp or Rashid Shaheed, let alone JSN. Seattle may be reticent to pass too much after the debacle last week, but that’s their biggest advantage.

It’s not their only advantage. The Seahawks should be able to attack the edges of this defense on the ground. Ken Walker III may get more carries in this game for the first time this year.

Titans Offense vs Seahawks Defense

Titans key advantages on offense

It would be a stretch to say there are real advantages for the Titans offense against this Seattle defense. The best might be the tight ends, rookie Gunner Helm and Chig Okonkwo. They are two of the leading receivers on the team and Seattle has given up some yards to tight ends.

Chimere Dike is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and Tyjae Spears can be explosive at running back. Ward’s ability to create with his feet could pose some challenges as well.

Seahawks key advantages on defense

Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is a turnstile when it comes to pass protection. Maybe this will be the week where Derick Hall gets his first sack (or three). Seattle should be able to frustrate this offense on the ground and through the air. Their biggest challenge will be playing with the intensity needed to separate from a bad Titans team.

Special Teams

Dike has been an electric return man, so Seattle will have to be ready for that aspect of special teams play.

Key to a Titans win

Tennessee would need a combination of their best football and the Seahawks dramatically underestimating the Titans for a win to be possible.

Key to a Seahawks win

Seattle needs to bring the requisite intensity to allow their numerous advantages to appear. Avoiding turnovers would make it almost impossible for the Titans to win.