Game Scout: Titans at Seahawks
Tennessee Titans (3-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-1)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at CenturyLink Field, Seattle - TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
*Keys to the game: So how does Tennessee travel to Seattle with a backup quarterback and knock off the Seahawks - who haven't lost at home since 2011? It has to come on the strength of the league's ninth-ranked defense taking advantage of Seattle's injury-riddled offensive line. The Seahawks will get C Max Unger back after a two-game absence, and the Pro Bowler should help correct some of the breakdowns that have had QB Russell Wilson under constant heat. The Seahawks want to come out and impose its will through the physical ground game. That would also buy some time for Wilson, who likes to take a few deep shots per game but has been largely unable to look downfield in recent weeks. The Titans can't count on QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead a one-dimensional offense. Problem is, RB Chris Johnson is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and the outside runs he typically generates the bulk of his yardage on are difficult to come by against Seattle's fast and lengthy defense. Johnson will have to do some damage inside and hope Fitzpatrick can find a few breakdowns like the ones Colts QB Andrew Luck blitzed Seattle's secondary for last week.
*Matchup to watch - Titans LB Zach Brown vs. Wilson: Brown is the Titans' fastest linebacker and a good bet to be the ‘spy' employed to keep track of Wilson, who has 23 carries for 179 yards over the past two weeks.
*Player spotlight - Seahawks LB Malcolm Smith: Likely to start with K.J. Wright sliding to the middle to replace Bobby Wagner (ankle), Smith's coverage skills were shaky in attempting to stick with tight ends while starting the first four games of the season.
*Fast facts: Titans WR Kenny Britt has caught just one of the last 12 passes targeted for him. ... The Seahawks have converted just 5 of 26 (19.2 percent) third-down opportunities over the past two games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Russell Wilson is 10-0 with a 119.9 career passer rating at home. He's aided by a defense that feeds off the extremely loud crowd and typically forces a slew of errors from opposing offenses. Not a good formula with a turnover-prone backup quarterback under center.
*Our pick: Seahawks 30-15
