Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans

Injuries noted

Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet (PUP-P) — The Seahawks have placed Charbonnet (knee) on the physically unable to perform list ahead of training camp, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.; Brandon Pili (Questionable) — Pili missed a third consecutive training camp practice Sunday due to a lower-leg injury, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune reports.; Nick Emmanwori (Questionable) — Emmanwori (ankle) passed his physical Tuesday and has been taken off the Seahawks' active/PUP list, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.; Julian Neal (Questionable) — Neal has missed four consecutive training camp practices due to a leg injury, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune reports.; Robbie Ouzts (IR) — Ouzts' neck injury is likely not a career-threatening issue, Corbin K. Smith of SI.com reports.; Jadarian Price (Questionable) — Price (lower body) won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.; Joseph Vaughn (IR) — Vaughn (undisclosed) reverted to injured reserve Saturday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Tennessee Titans: Sanoussi Kane (IR) — Kane (undisclosed) reverted to the Titans' injured reserve Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Kalel Mullings (Questionable) — Titans head coach Robert Saleh said Friday that Mullings is dealing with a hip pointer injury, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.; Jaylen Harrell (Questionable) — Harrell (knee) exited Thursday night's preseason opener against the 49ers early and did not return to the game, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.; Jaren Kanak (Questionable) — Kanak (pectoral) exited Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers early and did not return, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.; Nazeeh Johnson (Reserve-Sus) — The NFL has suspended Johnson for the first six games of the regular season, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

QUARTERBACK

• TEN's passing game is +63 yards per game

  63 YPG

  TEN has shown more ability to gain ground through the air, which keeps SEA from loading all its attention toward the run. That balance can let TEN choose how to attack, while SEA risks becoming easier to defend if its passing game cannot threaten the field. One completion can create a large one-game yardage gap, but SEA still needs enough passing production to prevent TEN from squeezing the offense.

• TEN averages +1.9 yards every time it drops back

  1.9 Y/A

  SEA is at 2 yards per pass attempt over 1 game; TEN is at 3.9 over 1 game. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-08-22.

• Sam Darnold starts at quarterback for SEA

  8.49 Y/A

  Darnold wins through efficiency, turning his attempts into real chunks instead of relying on sheer volume. The arm production is strong, but ball security is the pressure point that can cut into that advantage. On the road tonight, the test is whether he can keep creating those bigger gains without giving Tennessee extra possessions.

• Cam Ward starts at quarterback for TEN

  5.87 Y/A

  Ward’s path is ball security, because the passing efficiency and completion rate do not give Tennessee much room for wasted possessions. He can accumulate yards with enough work, but this is not an attack built on consistently getting a lot from each throw. Facing a much more efficient quarterback tonight tests whether Ward can stay patient and protect the ball without being dragged into a higher-risk passing game.

TRENCHES

• TEN is +60 rush yards per game

  60 YPG

  Tennessee can lean on the ground game to set the pace and keep its offense out of obvious passing situations. That challenges Seattle to stop the run early or risk letting Tennessee control both the clock and the shape of each drive. Because this comes from one game, the gap may reflect game flow and rushing volume as much as repeatable superiority.

• TEN gets +1.6 more yards a carry

  1.6 Y/C

  Tennessee’s rushing efficiency gives it a clean way to dictate early downs and stay ahead of the chains. Seattle has to win near the line or Tennessee can keep choosing between the run and pass without being forced into obvious situations. With only one game behind these rates, a few long runs can create a large gap that says more about isolated plays than every carry.

• TEN's front holds runners to 53 fewer yards per game

  53 YPG

  Tennessee’s front gave its defense a stronger foundation by limiting the run in its opener. That performance still reflects one opponent’s commitment and effectiveness on the ground, so it does not establish that the unit is dominant. If Seattle leans on the run, Tennessee gets a direct test of whether that resistance travels into a different matchup.

PASS RUSH

• TEN's rush gets home 2 more times per game

  2 SACKS

  Tennessee showed it can finish pressure, while Seattle’s defense did not turn its rush into sacks. One opponent and one game can make that gap look cleaner than it is because passing volume, protection and game script all affect sack chances. Seattle’s protection against Tennessee’s front is the more relevant matchup here.

PACE & SCRIPT

• TEN is scoring +12 points per game

  12 PPG

  TEN has been better at turning its possessions into scoreboard pressure, which lets it play from a more comfortable script. SEA's offense has sustained drives on third down, but those drives need to end with points or TEN can dictate the game without chasing it. One game's scoring margin can swing on field position and a couple of possessions, making the opening exchanges especially important.

• TEN runs +8 more plays per game

  8 PLAYS

  SEA is at 52 offensive plays per game over 1 game; TEN is at 60 over 1 game. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-08-22.

• TEN's defense gives up 4 fewer points per game

  4 PPG

  SEA is at 17 points allowed per game over 1 game; TEN is at 13 over 1 game. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-08-22.

TURNOVERS

• SEA's defense takes the ball away 1 more time per game

  1 TO

  Seattle created one extra possession in its opener, but a one-game takeaway edge says more about a specific game than repeatable control. Turnovers depend heavily on opponent mistakes and game script, making this the least stable defensive separation here. Tennessee’s priority is keeping Seattle from turning pressure or disruption into another short field.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• TEN owns a +1.6 yards-per-play gap

  1.6 Y/P

  Tennessee has played with more down-to-down efficiency, making it easier to keep the full playbook available. Seattle’s offense has faced a tougher path because limited gains create longer situations and reduce its margin for error. Over one game, explosive plays, sacks, or a few failed snaps can swing this measure sharply and exaggerate the true difference.

RED ZONE

• TEN scores on +75% more of its red-zone trips

  75%

  Tennessee has shown it can finish drives, while Seattle has let its best opportunities end without enough points. That puts pressure on Seattle to control the game between the 20s and avoid needing a late comeback. With each side carrying only one game of evidence, a single successful or failed trip has created most of this separation.

• SEA gets inside the 20 3 more times per game

  3 TRIPS

  Seattle has been better at pushing possessions into scoring territory, so its offense can dictate where much of the game is played. The collision is Tennessee’s ability to make more of fewer chances, which could leave Seattle controlling territory without controlling the score. One game can make drive volume look like an identity when it may simply reflect how a handful of possessions unfolded.

MISMATCH

• TEN's ground game against SEA's — 167 rush yards a game to 107

  167 VS 107

  Tennessee can make this a physical, possession-driven game by leaning on the run and forcing Seattle to spend the night tackling. Seattle has to slow that pressure early and keep its own ground game involved, because obvious passing situations would let Tennessee control the terms. If the Titans consistently stay ahead of schedule, they can shorten the game, wear Seattle down, and keep the Seahawks from finding an offensive rhythm.

COVERAGE

• TEN gets off the field on third down 26% more often

  26%

  I read Tennessee’s early third-down edge as a promising result, not proof of a settled defensive identity. After one game, conversion defense is heavily shaped by the opponent’s preferred distances and play calls. Seattle’s ability to avoid obvious passing downs will decide whether Tennessee can keep controlling drives.

• TEN's defense surrenders 1 fewer yards a snap

  1 Y/P

  Tennessee was the more efficient defense snap for snap, and that supports what its run defense and pass rush showed in the opener. Still, one opponent’s style can suppress yardage by limiting explosive chances or playing from an unfavorable script. Seattle’s challenge is to force Tennessee to defend sustained offense without allowing the front to dictate the game.

• SEA's secondary gives up 37 fewer passing yards per game

  37 YPG

  Seattle allowed less through the air, but that does not automatically make its secondary the better unit after one matchup. Passing yardage is tied closely to attempts, game state and how aggressively the opponent attacks. Tennessee can test that number by staying out of situations where Seattle knows the pass is coming.

REPLACEMENT

• Kalel Mullings (RB) is questionable for TEN

  QUESTIONABLE

  Questionable this close to kickoff means Mullings remains a real game-time concern, not a confirmed absence. If the hip pointer keeps him out, Tennessee’s other backs split his rushing and protection work. The pressure lands on the Titans’ offense, especially its backfield rotation.

• Jadarian Price (RB) is questionable for SEA

  QUESTIONABLE

  I’m treating Price as out, regardless of the questionable tag, because the report explicitly says he won’t suit up. Seattle’s remaining backs absorb his carries, passing-down snaps, and special-teams work. The impact stays on the Seahawks’ offense, with the backfield rotation getting thinner.

• Jaren Kanak (TE) is questionable for TEN

  QUESTIONABLE

  The early exit and no return make Kanak’s questionable tag meaningful this close to kickoff. If he sits, Tennessee’s other tight ends absorb his blocking, receiving, and special-teams snaps. This affects the Titans’ offense most, particularly how they divide tight-end duties.

• Julian Neal (CB) is questionable for SEA

  QUESTIONABLE

  Four straight missed practices make Neal’s questionable designation a serious availability warning this close to kickoff. If he cannot go, Seattle’s other corners take the coverage snaps and any related special-teams work. The strain falls on the Seahawks’ defense, with the secondary losing flexibility.

SITUATIONAL

• SEA converts third downs at a +16.7% clip

  16.7%

  Seattle has been better at extending drives when the defense has a chance to get off the field. That can help it control possession and repeatedly test Tennessee’s defense, even if the payoff has not matched the movement. Third-down rates are especially volatile in a one-game sample because only a small number of plays determine the result.

• TEN moves the chains 4 more times per game

  4 FD

  SEA is at 14 first downs per game over 1 game; TEN is at 18 over 1 game. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-08-22.

• SEA (0-1) at TEN (1-0)

  +16 PT GAP

  Tennessee brings the better momentum into this spot, with both the result and scoring margin pointing its way. The home and road splits are neutral because neither team has played in those settings yet. Tennessee’s perfect record can flatter it after only one game, while Seattle’s opening loss can make its position look worse than a single preseason result deserves. Still, the early separation clearly favors Tennessee entering tonight.

AFTER GARY

• TEN -3 → -3

  NO MOVE

  CAESARS · SAME BOOK · PRE-KICK

FANTASY USAGE

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 10.4 tgt/g in the 2025 baseline

  10.4 TGT/G

  Jaxon Smith-Njigba averaged 10.4 targets per game across 5 2025 regular-season games. BDL confirms Jaxon Smith-Njigba is currently active for SEA; this is a labeled prior-season baseline, not current form. SEA faces TEN next; this is measured opportunity, not a projection or snap-share estimate.

• Wan'Dale Robinson: 10.4 tgt/g in the 2025 baseline

  10.4 TGT/G

  Wan'Dale Robinson averaged 10.4 targets per game across 5 2025 regular-season games. BDL confirms Wan'Dale Robinson is currently active for TEN; this is a labeled prior-season baseline, not current form. TEN faces SEA next; this is measured opportunity, not a projection or snap-share estimate.

• Tony Pollard: 19.8 opp/g in the 2025 baseline

  19.8 OPP/G

  Tony Pollard averaged 19.8 carries plus targets per game across 5 2025 regular-season games. BDL confirms Tony Pollard is currently active for TEN; this is a labeled prior-season baseline, not current form. TEN faces SEA next; this is measured opportunity, not a projection or snap-share estimate.

• Zach Charbonnet: 14.6 opp/g in the 2025 baseline

  14.6 OPP/G

  Zach Charbonnet averaged 14.6 carries plus targets per game across 5 2025 regular-season games. BDL confirms Zach Charbonnet is currently active for SEA; this is a labeled prior-season baseline, not current form. SEA faces TEN next; this is measured opportunity, not a projection or snap-share estimate.