6 takeaways from Seattle’s 20-17 win over Tennessee
What, did you think you were going to get a normal Seattle Seahawks game on Christmas Eve? Any wishes for a “stress free” Seahawks win went unanswered, so we’ll all have to settle for another thrilling comeback victory. Although less dramatic than a Monday Night Football setting against the Eagles, Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans is no less important.
It may not have been as easy as some expected, but Seattle did take advantage of their newfound life by beating a team they should. It was not pretty, but as I’ve said many times, style points do not matter in the NFL.
The Seahawks are back above .500, and control their own fate for the playoffs. Here are the top takeaways from their 20-17 win.
Additionally, we at Seahawks Wire want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas this year!
Comeback kings
For a second consecutive week, the Seahawks led a game-winning drive in the final minutes to secure a victory. Trailing 17-13, Geno Smith did his best “Drew Lock” impression and helped guide Seattle to a touchdown. Smith passed the ball ten times (compared to only three called runs) on the final drive, completing seven passes for 57 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
Smith now has four comeback wins this season, which is the most in the NFL. He has done so against Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, and now Tennessee. Had Jason Myers connected on his final field goal against the Rams, Smith would have five this year.
Pass rush returns
The pass rush has not quite been there for the Seahawks as of late. But against the weak Titans offensive line, Seattle’s defensive front found a way to deliver coal in Ryan Tannehill’s stocking. The Seahawks recorded six sacks, including two from Boye Mafe to bring his season total to nine.
The biggest sack came via Dre’Mont Jones, who brought Tannehill down on the second to last play of the game. Tennessee, needing a field goal, had made it to the 50 yard line. Jones’ sack kept the clock running, and an ill-fated completed pass helped drain the clock for the Seahawks.
Rush defense on the other hand...
The Seahawks defense is unfortunately back to getting gashed on the ground. In fairness to them, they’ve routinely had to play teams who excel at running the ball. San Francisco, Philadelphia and Tennessee all make it a focal point of their offense. The difference with the Titans is, it’s the only way they can move the ball.
Running back Derrick Henry remains a force of nature, paving the way for Tennessee. Henry had 88 of the Titans’ 162 rush yards for the day, as well as a touchdown. Seattle needs to continue finding a way to stop teams from running all over them, as it is continuing to be a major problem.
Tyler Lockett played the role of hero in the 4th quarter
Last week, DK Metcalf stole the show in the fourth quarter. On Sunday, Seattle’s veteran receiver Tyler Lockett got to be the star in the clutch. Lockett led the team with eight receptions on eleven targets, recording 81 receiving yards.
Also coming up big for Seattle late (again) was Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was second on the team in receptions (6) and yards (61). The growth of the rookie has been a pleasant development in the second half of this season.
Of course, Metcalf did haul in the first touchdown of the day, his eighth of the season. Metcalf now only needs three yards to eclipse 1,000 receiving for the third time in his career.
Seattle snaps losing streak vs Titans
None of us would consider Seattle vs Tennessee as an actual rivalry. These teams hardly play each other. But the Titans have quietly owned the Seahawks in recent years. Historically, Seattle leads the Titans/Oilers franchise 11-8 all time (Sunday’s win included). But going into the game, the Seahawks had lost three of the last four meetings between these teams since 2010. The only victory being a (fitting) 20-13 win over a Ryan Fitzpatrick-led squad during the 2013 season.
In the last two meetings, the Titans ran wild over Seattle, including bullying the Legion of Boom. Tennessee scored 33 points in both games, including overcoming a 24-9 halftime deficit to win 33-30 in overtime in the 2021 season. For whatever reason, the Titans remain a brutal matchup for Pete Carroll’s Seahawks. Fortunately, the losing streak came to a halt on Christmas Eve.
Seahawks are back in the playoff picture
The Seattle Seahawks faced a favorable remaining schedule, but they did need help. With identical 7-7 records going into Christmas Eve, the Minnesota Vikings held a slight advantage. They were in the No. 7 seed, and Seattle was just on the outside looking in at No. 8. At some point, Seattle was going to need help from either the Lions or the Packers to deliver Minnesota a loss.
And they got one right off the bat! Detroit took care of business to defeat the Vikings 30-24. The Lions have claimed their first division title since 1993!
With this Vikings loss, the Seahawks jumped ahead of them in the standings. If Seattle is able to win out, they will secure a playoff spot for a second straight year.
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