Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks are looking to get on a roll. After dispatching the young horses (Colts) in Week 1. The Seahawks look to take on the Greek mythology characters known as the Titans. On paper, this should be a reasonably similar matchup, at least in terms of offensive philosophies.
The Colts are a team that likes to run the ball, as do the Titans. The difference is that the Colts want to use quick rhythm passing, whereas the Titans like to utilize play action. The Titans are even more concerning when you factor in Ryan Tannehill’s mobility.
First, not to be repetitious, but the similarities in the offensive scheme should bode well for the Seahawks’ defensive front. Why? The Titans’ most recent opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, just demolished the Titans. Contract seeking star defensive end Chandler Jones put on a show, racking up five sacks in the game against the Titans overmatched starting left tackle!
It is absolute folly to think Rasheem Green will duplicate that success. He’s not as good as Jones, for starters. Most importantly, after last week’s performance, three-time Pro-Bowl tackle Taylor Lewan personally apologized for his atrocious performance. Expect him to bring everything against whoever lines up across from him. I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say he doesn’t even give up a QB pressure this week.
Maybe this week 12’s will get a better idea of how good the Seahawks’ secondary will be. Tennessee offers up one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL. Hall of Famer, Julio Jones, and A.J. Brown. Both of these guys can gash a defense with big chunk plays. Both have speed and physicality. Their quarterback is good enough to get them the ball in spots to rip off some explosive plays.
Ryan Tannehill’s game has been a little Russell Wilson-esqe since joining Tennessee. They don’t ask him to sit in the pocket and carve up a defense. Instead, they want to run the ball, then get Tannehill out of the pocket on a rollout or play-action passes. So basically, give him some effortless throws. Tannehill is bright enough that if a pass play isn’t there on those rollouts and he can get a first down or more with his legs, he’ll take it.
A linebacker or a defensive end will be responsible at all times to keep containment. So the best way to stop Tannehill from running for significant gains is to hold the edge and have the rushers maintain their pass rush lanes. Plus, it’s a lot easier to tackle Tannehill than the Titans juggernaut of a running back. In case you haven’t heard, the Titans running back is 6’3″ 238lbs Derrick Henry.
For comparison, his teammate Julio Jones is 6’3″ 220lbs, Tannehill is 6’4″ 217lbs. All three guys are roughly the same height and weight, but each plays a completely different position. Henry is an absolute freak, athletically speaking. People his size are not supposed to be able to run as fast and as well as he does. Henry is coming off a 2,000-yard rushing season on 378 carries. He is going to get the ball consistently and often. (He had 17 carries in last week’s blowout).
So, Russell Wilson enjoyed his Week 1 performance. This week’s opponent offers up an even lesser defense. At least on paper, it does. The Titans offer up some more recognizable names as far as pass rushers go. Bud Dupree and Jeffery Simmons lead the group while accompanied by complementary players in first-round mediocrity Harold Landry and Denico Autry. Both Autry and Dupree are new to Tennessee, as they were the Titans’ big free-agent signings.
Week one saw Indianapolis roll coverage to D.K. Metcalf, allowing Tyler Lockett a prime opportunity to smash. And smash he did! “BREAKING NEWS: Tyler Lockett has just dropped another big play score on the Colts!” It would not shock me in the least bit if Week two results in a similar type of performance.
This is especially true if the Titans have their best corner, Janoris Jenkins, matched up with D.K. Metcalf. The other option would be to put Jenkins on Lockett and give safety help on Metcalf, opening up the middle for tight ends and Chris Carson.
I expect him to get Metcalf a majority of the time. Shifting the bracket coverage to Lockett. If this or something similar plays out, Gerald Everett, Will Dissly, and others will need to step up in the passing game. Maybe this week, we see more from Shane Waldron and Everett. For Chris Carson, I’d expect an almost carbon copy of his first week’s performance. Maybe just a slightly easier time in running the ball up the gut.
Time to put up or shut up. The Seattle Seahawks are -5.5, and the over/under is 54 points for the game. According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, they have the Seahawks at 70.8% over Tennessee’s 29% (0.2% tie). So as you can see, this game is not expected to be close. The Seahawks should be ramped up and ready to go for their first game of 2021 in Lumen Field.
Not to mention 12’s will be back in the stadium to bring that world-famous crown noise advantage. Oh yeah, that’s right, fans will be back in the stands being raucous and crazy. Expect another balanced performance from Seattle’s offense. I would not expect the big plays from Lockett again unless the defense falls or blows their coverage.
Nor should you expect the same high-level efficiency from Wilson again. Tennessee was the very definition of a dumpster fire in their first game in 2021. After their first week’s performance, they will be highly motivated. Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel won’t let his team repeat their Week 1.
This game will be back and forth. The last team that has the ball wins. Which will be Russell Wilson and Co. Seahawks 28 Titans 21.
Chris Phillips is a feature writer and assistant editor at Pacific Northwest Sports.