Seahawks vs. Titans: Quick Wrap-Up, Winners, Losers and Closing Thoughts

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Finally, some real live action to enjoy after months of waiting. 

Sure, it's nice to see everyone play around in training camp, but there's something a bit more comforting in seeing everyone dress for real, even if it is preseason.

For this week, the news is mostly good news as the Seahawks won 27-17 against the visiting Tennessee Titans. 

Of course, most of what we saw is hard to put too much stock in, but for the moment, I figured it might be fun to piece together a short list of winners and losers, along with a few closing thoughts from Saturday night's game. 

Winner: The Defense

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

I suppose we should start at the very beginning. 

Sure, Brandon Browner's interception on Matt Hasselbeck's first play was a wee bit fluky, but who can complain?

It was the kind of heads-up play that you usually don't see in preseason due to all of the rust, especially nine seconds into a game, yet to Browner's credit, he stuck with it and cashed in.

Beyond that the team registered a solid if not unspectacular performance all around by surrendering only 10 points to the Titans in a "bend but don't break" outing, which included a Richard Sherman interception and a Heath Farwell fumble recovery. 

Honestly, though, I'd still like to see a little more pressure on the opposing quarterback...

Where was Bruce Irvin last night anyway?

Loser: Matt Hasselbeck

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Speaking of the opposing quarterback...

Strange seeing Matt back in Seattle wearing a Titans uniform, but making matters worse was the fact he got picked off on a fluke play, only to have Brandon Browner return it for a touchdown on his very first pass. 

If you think the battle for the starting QB job is close for the 'Hawks, imagine how it must be for Hasselbeck in squaring off with another former Seattle hero, Jake Locker.

Hasselbeck led only three drives for the Titans in a little over a quarter's action, but two of those ended in interceptions. Meanwhile. Locker had a decent night, picking his spots against the 'Hawks by throwing for 80 yards on 7/13 passing. 

I wish Hasselbeck well but don't envy him after last night. 

Winners: Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

As for the Seahawks quarterback battle, Matt Flynn did...all right in his first start at C-Link.

On the bright side, he didn't burn the house down as he managed to put together a nice long drive that led to a field goal in the first quarter while completing nearly all of his passes in going 11-of-13 on the night.

On the other hand, he didn't quite set the world on fire as he only threw for 71 yards, got sacked twice, threw an interception and fumbled at one point.

Given that this was his debut in front of the home crowd, it's only natural for him to be a little nervous.  At the moment, it looks like Flynn is moving in the right direction, but we still have a ways to go before we can start talking about making the postseason.     

Meanwhile...Russell Wilson.

Before we get started, we all have to understand it's only preseason and he played in the second half of the first exhibition. 

Okay?

Outside of getting intercepted in the end zone following Heath Farwell's fumble recovery, Wilson had a great night.  (Besides, I liked the idea of the 'Hawks going for the jugular at that point even if it didn't work.)

What I liked was watching Wilson on just about every play before and after.  He threw, he ran, and he made the second half thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.  No small potatoes for a debut, and one that I, along with the better part of Seattle, will be curious to see if he can build upon in the coming weeks.   

Loser: Tarvaris Jackson

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Not sure who will be starting in a few weeks, as both Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson looked good against the Titans.

At the same time, the biggest loser from last night has to be T-Jack, who didn't even get the chance to prove himself. 

It has to be frustrating to go from last year's starter to not even get to leave the bench while watching your chances slipping away against not one, but two guys now potentially in front of you. 

It will be interesting to see if he gets a shot in Denver this weekend in what could quickly shape up as a make-it-or-break-it chance to save his spot on the roster. 

Winner: The New Uniforms

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Okay, so this is a trivial point, but I feel the need to make it. 

Sometimes you have to admit when you're wrong, as I've been a bit harsh on the new Nike uniforms following their unveiling this past spring. 

Yet after watching the 'Hawks suit up Saturday night, I have to admit they looked pretty sharp.

Granted, I'm still not racing to the Seahawks store to buy one, but they're far less ridiculous looking as I had initially feared/imagined. 

I'm curious to see how the other combinations look over the course of the season, especially the wolf grey pants as a nice nod the to past. 

Conclusions

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Not bad for a start. 

The interception return to start the game was in a way fitting, given this defense will probably need to lead the way to start the season.  The rest of the night they managed to hold their own, but it was far from dominant...which for the first time out is acceptable.

Similar to last year, the secondary did a solid job, and the run was kept in check, but all three Titan quarterbacks following Hasselbeck managed to complete a decent percentage of their passes even if they didn't get a ton of yards. 

In short, we need to see more pressure up front at some point. 

On offense, I mentioned before, Flynn looked okay, Wilson really good, and everyone else?

It was a bit of a mixed bag...

Braylon Edwards did a nice job hauling in Wilson's touchdown pass while fighting for position down near the goal-line.  Charly Martin and Kregg Lumpkin also managed to make the most of their opportunities in getting the ball from Wilson in the second half. 

Meanwhile, beyond Leon Washington, the running game didn't inspire much confidence.  To me, Robert Turbin looked disappointing by one minute breaking off a big run and the next getting tackled for a loss.

Of course, it's early, and no one wants to read too much into things, but for now, just like every other team, the Seattle Seahawks are a work in progress.