NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Seattle Seahawks second preseason game brought the heat in Nashville, against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
Last weekend’s game saw a win against the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3. But, their preseason streak evened out with a 16-15 loss to the Titans.
Gameplay started as temperatures hit 90-degrees, and Nashville remained in the high 80s for the game, which may have felt even warmer combined with the humidity.
Saturday's game comes after a few joint practices for the Hawks and the Titans. Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald said is "a great opportunity if you do it the right way to get some really good competition in and sharpen each other and try to get ready for the regular season," according to the Seahawks.
A start with strong energy
The Seattle Seahawks led at half 12-7 and scored on the last three drives of the first half.
In the first quarter, backup quarterback Sam Howell threw to former Washington State University player Easop Winston Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown for the first points on the board. No extra points from kicker Jason Myers, but he then came back with a 27-yard field goal.
Tennessee wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine nabbed a touchdown in the last 30 seconds of the second quarter with a 15-yard pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph. Kicker Nick Folk’s extra point brought the score to 7.
But Myers did not let up, with a 48-yard field goal for the Seahawks just before the half.
Overall, Howell was 11 for 14 and passed for 153 yards with one touchdown.
Game-changing moment
A fourth quarter interception by Seahawks safety Ty Okada changed the course of the game for Seattle. Myers brought back the Hawks lead with a 50-yard field goal, but Titans' kicker Brayden Narveson made a 46-yard field goal to seal the deal for the home team.
The Seahawks are headed home for the final preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 24. The regular season begins against the Broncos Sept. 8.
Heavy hitters
The Seahawks are revving up the power in preseason with strong tackles and smart defense moves, courtesy of Macdonald’s leadership.
Linebacker Derick Hall took down Titans’ quarterback Malik Willis in the first half. Seahawks’ safety Marquis Blair and linebacker Jamie Sheriff took down two Titans players in the third quarter.
Seattle cornerbacks DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett, both rookie players from Auburn University, also made a great tackle in the second half.
Flags a'plenty
Saturday’s game saw a lot more penalty flags for the Hawks compared to last weekend’s matchup, proving more aggressive gameplay from Seattle. Nashville’s heat, which likely feels more intense down on the turf of Nissan Stadium, can mess with players’ performances both mentally and physically.
But during the half, Seahawks legend Cliff Avril commented on Seattle’s mental toughness in the elements. In earlier joint practices, Titans’ players were reported to suffer cramps during workouts.
How to watch the final Seahawks preseason game
KING 5 is broadcasting the Seahawks' final preseason game against the Browns on Aug. 24 at Lumen Field in Seattle. Tune into KING 5 for a pregame show for the Browns game beginning at 6:30 p.m.
