NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans take on the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
Here are six things to keep an eye on during the competition:
The Titans’ quarterback situation
This category will be updated as the event approaches. This is what we know right now, as of Friday morning, before practice: Will Levis hasn’t practiced yet this week. He’s expressed a desire to play on Sunday, but it’s unclear whether his injured ankle – and coaches and trainers – will allow it. If Levis is unable to play, veteran Ryan Tannehill would take his place against the Seahawks. Tannehill hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury against the Ravens on October 15 in London.
Carry the ball
No matter who starts at quarterback, the Titans must be able to run the ball much better than they did in last week’s loss to the Texans. Derrick Henry of the Titans has 884 yards on the season. The Titans are averaging 104.0 rush yards per game, which ranks them 18th in the NFL and is the lowest total since 2015. In 2023, Henry is averaging 63.1 yards per game, his lowest total since 2017. The Seahawks have allowed 127.3 rush yards per game, which ranks eighth in the NFL.
Password Protection
Through 14 games, the Titans have allowed 50 sacks, including seven sacks of Levis last week. This season, the Seahawks have sacked the quarterback 38 times, with linebacker Boye Mafe leading the way. The Titans have two players on the injured list: guard Daniel Brunskill and center Aaron Brewer. On the left side, rookie tackle Jaelyn Duncan has already been called up. On Sunday, the Titans must keep the quarterback clean.
DK and others are being defended.
DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks is a physical specimen who leads the team with 942 yards and seven touchdowns this season. However, receiver Tyler Lockett leads the Seahawks in receptions (68), and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba has recently gained traction. The Seahawks offense is back to full strength with quarterback Geno Smith expected to return for Sunday’s game, and we haven’t even mentioned versatile running back Kenneth Walker yet. A battered Titans secondary must make plays when given the chance.
Who is taking part?
This is another category to keep an eye on in the lead up to Sunday. The Titans have 18 players on the injured list this week, including Levis. After receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was placed on Injured Reserve earlier in the week, 11 Titans did not practice on Thursday. On Sunday, an injury-plagued team is expected to be without a number of key players. Coach Mike Vrabel may be able to provide some hints following Friday’s practice, but the status of others will not be known until Sunday morning.
The significance of Week 16
The Titans’ playoff hopes have ended. With last week’s loss, the team was officially eliminated from the playoffs. The Titans are underdogs for the 12th time this season, as the Seahawks are 3.5 point favorites. So, what’s the point of playing now? The Titans, on the other hand, will be playing for one another, as well as for their own reputations and careers, when they take the field on Sunday.
These guys are professional football players, so it is their responsibility to play hard. Do you believe DL Denico Autry will take it easy? Never. The Titans have a chance to be the spoiler as well. According to Next Gen Stats, the Seahawks have a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs if they win in Week 16, and a 28 percent chance if they lose.
