The Seattle Seahawks are returning to the mix for a postseason spot and are winning when it counts most.
With 57 seconds remaining, Geno Smith found Colby Parkinson for his second touchdown throw of the fourth quarter of five yards, and the Seahawks, who had won two consecutive games, comfortably maintained their postseason chances by defeating the Tennessee Titans 20-17 on Sunday.
For the Seahawks (8-7) to guarantee their second straight postseason appearance, they still need to win out. However, with two games left, Seattle has secured the seventh and final postseason place in the NFC after Minnesota’s defeat to Detroit.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said, “It’s an exciting win for us, and the belief in this locker room is strong that we can take on whatever we got to take on.” “We’ll pool our intelligence and carry out the task at hand, regardless of the duration. That is an effective quality. So maybe that’s something we can hold onto.
After defeating Philadelphia on Monday night and making the cross-country trip for the early kickoff, the Seahawks got off to a poor start. With 12:10 remaining, Smith, who had missed the previous two games due to a groin injury, hit DK Metcalf in the left corner for an 11-yard touchdown, giving the Seahawks their first lead, 13-10.
With 3:21 remaining, Derrick Henry scored a 2-yard touchdown run to put Tennessee back up 17-13, but Smith answered. Just as Drew Lock did against the Eagles to win by the same score, he marched the Seahawks 75 yards over 14 plays and scored a touchdown throw in the closing minute.
Regarding Seattle’s last drive, Smith said, “I’m thinking just like last week.” “We had an opportunity to duplicate Drew’s excellent performance from last week. I’m just thinking on the current circumstance as I go outside.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said that they are now in charge of their own fate and that Smith performed well on his comeback.
Wagner said, “We just need to take it one game at a time.”
Tennessee had one last opportunity. Nonetheless, Boye Mafe got two of Seattle’s six sacks, one of which came on the Titans’ last drive. After Colton Dowell raced out of bounds, Ryan Tannehill struck him with a 3-yard throw. The clock was maintained by the officials, and the last seconds passed without a play.
The Titans (5-10) suffered their third straight loss of the season when they were eliminated from the playoffs last week. For the first time since 2014–15, they have dropped at least ten games for the second consecutive season.
Henry also hit Chig Okonkwo with a 12-yard touchdown throw. The Titans controlled the ball for over 34 minutes and outgained Seattle 287-273.
After losing for the sixth time this season by eight points or less, Henry said, “If you care, it won’t be easy to shake it.”
After putting safety Amani Hooker and two-time Pro Bowl guard Jeffery Simmons on injured reserve on Saturday, Tennessee was without seven starters, five of whom were on defense.
He replaced rookie Will Levis, who departed the OT defeat last week late due to a sprained left ankle. The Titans were forced to rely heavily on guys who were new to the squad since right guard Daniel Brunskill was also out due to an ankle injury.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel once said, “There are no moral victories in life.” “Moral victories don’t exist in professional football.”
With just 37.25% of these drives resulting in touchdowns, the Titans entered the game as the NFL’s most merciless club in the red zone. After inside the Tennessee 10, they forced the Seahawks to settle for one field goal by Jason Myers, the second coming on their first drive of the third quarter, which allowed them to close the gap to 10-6.
With a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter, Nick Folk increased his NFL record to 78 straight made from goals of 40 yards or closer, giving Tennessee a 10-3 lead at the half.
PERSONAL HARM
Early in the second quarter, Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba struck his left knee on a section of exposed concrete along the back wall. He went on to complete the game. Jordyn Brooks, a linebacker, injured the same ankle against San Francisco two weeks before.
Dre’Mont Jones, a defensive end, was injured late. Damien Lewis, a left guard, made a knee twist for the Seahawks.
Chris Moore, a wide receiver for the Titans, came back after Julian Love struck him. After visiting the medical tent, rookie running back Tyjae Spears made a full recovery, but linebacker Caleb Murphy had a shoulder injury. Jaelyn Duncan, a left tackle, had a wrist injury and did not play again.
Next up
On Sunday, the Seahawks will host Pittsburgh.
On Sunday, the Titans will play their second game in three weeks in Houston.
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