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Titans vs. Seahawks: Takeaways from Seattle's 20-13 Win Over Tennessee
October 14, 2013Titans vs. Seahawks: Takeaways from Seattle's 20-13 Win Over Tennessee
The Seattle Seahawks outlasted the Tennessee Titans in a mistake-ridden 20-13 win. The game certainly wasn't pretty, but the mistakes are easier to tolerate when the end result is another victory.
Tough win, proud of our guys! Thanks to the #12s for impacting the game once again! "What's next?" #GoHawks
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) October 13, 2013
"What's next" for Seattle is a short turnaround. The Seahawks have to go on the road and take on the Arizona Cardinals in prime time on Thursday Night Football.
Before the everyone starts looking forward to Arizona, it is time to take a look back on Sunday's game. Here are eight takeaways from the win:
Another Ugly Win
It is a sign of a good NFL team when it can win even when not playing its best football. That happened again for the Seahawks Sunday. The Seahawks played a sloppy game. Fumbles, a long kick return and penalties plagued what could have been a dominating win by the Seahawks.
The Seahawks got the win despite all the miscues. Now they need to try to clean up the mistakes before Thursday's game against the Cardinals.
Holding onto the Ball Shouldn't Be That Difficult
The Seahawks had five fumbles in this game. Five, that is a lot of ball being put on the ground. They were very fortunate that only two of them ended up in the hands of Tennessee defenders.
One of the fumbles was returned for a touchdown. Another looked like it was going to be as well, but the defender scooped the ball right at quarterback Russell Wilson for a Seattle recovery.
The Seahawks need take better care of the football. Against a better team, all those fumbles could easily have cost the Seahawks the win.
Russell Wilson Is Everything the Seahawks Need Him to Be
The Seahawks put the game in quarterback Russell Wilson's hands for much of this game. He finished 23-of-31 for 257 yards and a 98.5 passer rating. He also added 10 rushes for 61 yards on the ground.
Russell Wilson: "To be honest, I hate to run. I'd rather give the ball to our big playmakers." #Seahawks
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynESPN) October 13, 2013
Perhaps more importantly, he finished with zero turnovers and even recovered a fumble. Wilson continues to deliver when the Seahawks need him to.
Russell Wilson moves to 11-0 at home as the @Seahawks starting QB.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 13, 2013
Backup Safeties Don't Make Good Field-Goal Holders
The first half ended in what was probably the worst possible way for Seattle. Kicker Steven Hauschka was hurt, punter Jon Ryan was trying to kick a field goal and backup safety Chris Maragos was the holder for the field-goal attempt. Maragos dropped the snap, then picked it up just to fumble it again.
The Titans ended up scoring a touchdown on the play after the fumble was returned 77 yards the other way.
Pete Carroll said in his postgame press conference that Wilson is going to begin practicing as a holder just in case the team is ever in that situation again.
More Carroll. Looks like Russell Wilson may be the backup holder moving forward.
— Ian Furness (@IanKJR) October 13, 2013
Marshawn Lynch Had a Huge Game
Marshawn Lynch came into this game listed as questionable with a hip injury. The Seahawks would have loved to keep his workload lower than normal to help Lynch recover some before Thursday's game.
Instead, Lynch led all players on both teams in both rushing yards and receiving yards. Lynch ran the ball 21 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. He also added four receptions for 78 yards, including a huge 55-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Marshawn Lynch has a career-high 78 yards receiving today. #Seahawks
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) October 13, 2013
Brandon Browner Was Benched
For the second straight game, cornerback Brandon Browner didn't play well. This time, Carroll and the coaches didn't leave him in the game to continue giving up big plays.
Browner was replaced by Walter Thurmond, who's played fairly well all season.
#Seahawks have subbed CB Brandon Browner out of the game, replacing him with Walter Thurmond in second quarter.
— Danny 710ESPNSeattle (@BrocknDanny) October 13, 2013
Browner eventually returned in the second half and played better. It will be worth watching this Thursday to see if Thurmond sees a increased role after Browner's poor play the last couple of weeks.
Bad Things Happen When Kickers Make Tackles
You never want to see a kicker make a tackle. Not only does it mean that the team gave up a big return, but it's also bad to see guys who aren't used to contact trying to hit speedy ball-carriers.
Steven Hauschka: “I’m a bigger guy and that’s the first time I’ve been popped like that.
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) October 14, 2013
Hauschka ended up getting run over and missed the end of the second quarter while he was being evaluated for a concussion. Luckily for the Seahawks, Hauschka ended up being OK and returned to the field in the second half.
From @PeteCarroll says Hauschka had bloody nose, that's it :)
— Chris Egan King-5 TV (@ChrisEgan5) October 13, 2013
Seahawks Are Getting Banged Up
With the Seahawks playing on the road this Thursday against the Cardinals, it was important that they escaped this game with as few bumps, bruises and injuries as possible. That wasn't the case Sunday.
In his postgame press conference, Carroll said the Seahawks picked up a couple of significant injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Safety Kam Chancellor sprained his ankle, and defensive end Chris Clemons hyper-extended his elbow. The status of both players for Thursday remains up in the air.
Carroll says Clem has a hyperextended elbow. May be tough to be back by Thursday at Arizona. #seahawks
— Ian Furness (@IanKJR) October 13, 2013