The Tennessee Titans came up just short in their upset bid against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, losing 20-17 at Nissan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Titans jumped out to a 10-3 lead after a second-quarter touchdown pass from Derrick Henry to Chig Okonkwo and a field goal from Nick Folk.
After notching a field goal in the third quarter, the Seahawks’ offense finally found the end zone for the first time in the game in the fourth quarter to take a 13-10 lead.
However, Tennessee answered right back with a 15-play, 75-yard drive to re-take the lead with a little over three minutes remaining in regulation.
Unfortunately, that was more than enough time for the Seahawks to drive down the field and score the game-winner, with an assist from cornerback Tre Avery, who had a crucial pass interference on DK Metcalf.
The Titans had one last chance to tie the game up, but quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked twice on the final drive, which helped to milk the clock and put the game away.
Now, a deeper dive into how the Titans played in Week 16.
Final score: Seahawks 20, Titans 17
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| SEA | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
| TEN | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Titans' top performers
RB Derrick Henry: 19 CAR, 86 YDS, 2 TDs (one passing)
TE Chig Okonkwo: 6 REC, 63 YDS, TD
OLB Harold Landry: 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
Instant analysis: Offense
-Ryan Tannehill certainly looked rusty with some bad throws, but he didn’t have much help from his offensive line, which struggled in pass protection, en route to six sacks and several pressures allowed. A few of those sacks were on the veteran quarterback, who held on to the ball too long. False starts were also an issue for the group upfront, per usual.
-Derrick Henry looked much better this week, in part because he had far better blocking upfront. King Henry found the end zone twice, with one coming through the air.
-Chig was on the receiving end of Henry’s touchdown pass, his first of the 2023 campaign. He finished as Tennessee’s leading receiver and surpassed his single-season career-high in receiving yards. The second-year tight end, who is now up to 458 yards, continues to play well down the stretch of the season.
Instant analysis: Defense
-The Titans’ pass-rush was solid early on but waned a bit as the game progressed. That allowed the Seahawks to finally start moving the ball through the air consistently, although the depleted Titans secondary did play better than expected. Still, the unit couldn’t make a stop late when Tennessee needed it most and Avery’s aforementioned DPI was a crushing blow.
-Speaking of Avery: He was the victim on both of the Seahawks’ touchdown passes — and one of them came despite a blatant pass interference.
-Without Jeffery Simmons once again, the Titans’ front did a good job playing the run, with Seattle averaging less than three yards per carry.
-Harold Landry, Arden Key, Denico Autry and Terrell Edmunds all accounted for sacks. Landry (9.5) and Key (6.0) now have the second-most sacks in a season in their career.
-The Seahawks were 2-for-4 in the red zone and 7-for-13 on third downs.
Instant analysis: Special teams
-Nick Folk made his lone field goal attempt from 33 yards out and both of his extra points, but he ceded kickoff duty to punter Ty Zentner. It remains unclear why.
-Zenter only averaged 39 yards per punt but dropped two inside the 20.
Injuries
OT Jaelyn Duncan (wrist): Duncan was pulled from the game in the third quarter and did not return. He was replaced by Andre Dillard.
Highlights
FLYING OFF THE EDGE #ProBowlVote + @ArdenKeyEl
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/EAunUCIc7i— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2023
The King dashing through the defense! #ProBowlVote + @KingHenry_2
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/z2jX6WGUJW— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2023
YOUNG PEYTON MANNING#ProBowlVote + @KingHenry_2
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/PgZyr4uX7l— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2023
A touchdown pass and a touchdown run on the day for the King 👑#ProBowlVote + @KingHenry_2
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/83rBHALZvA— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2023
What's next?
The Titans now fall to 5-10 on the season, but the good news is they’ll likely improve their draft positioning from No. 9. Up next is a rematch with the Houston Texans, who lost in a blowout against the Cleveland Browns.
