The Tennessee Titans defeated the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks by a final score of 19-16, at home in Nissan Stadium Sunday, August 23, in a game nationally televised on FOX. They improved to 2-0 during the preseason as Robert Saleh earned a second consecutive victory in his first preseason as Titans head coach. The Titans now own a seven-game winning streak in preseason contests at Nissan Stadium.
After falling behind 16-3 in the first quarter, the Titans scored the game’s next and final 16 points to complete the comeback. Kicker Joey Slye kept his hot streak going, a perfect 4 – of – 4 in the contest, making kicks of 33, 40, 43 and 55 yards for 12 of the team’s points. Titans running back D’Ernest Johnson scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 5:45 remaining in the game to secure the come-from behind victory. Bear in mind, there is no overtime in the preseason.
The Titans’ offensive starters were guard Fernando Carmona Jr., tight end Gunnar Helm, tackle JC Latham, tackle Dan Moore Jr., running back Tony Pollard, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, center Austin Schlottmann, guard Peter Skoronski, wide receiver Carnell Tate and quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans offense netted 277 yards, including 128 on the ground. Ten of the team’s 18 first downs came via the rushing attack. Running backs Julius Chestnut (eight carries for 48 yards), Michael Carter (seven for 28 yards) and D’Ernest Johnson (10 for 25 yards) each logged at least seven rushing attempts and at least 25 yards on the ground.
The starting defense for the Titans included defensive ends Jacob Martin and Jermaine Johnson, II; defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and Jordan Elliott; linebackers Cody Barton, James Williams Sr. and Cedric Gray; safeties Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr.; and cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott.
“My first night game at the Tennessee Titans Stadium this year was an amazing experience, even though my favorite team didn’t play their best,” said Pride / Urban Journal staffer Marcus Jones. “The game was still exciting. Our defense struggled early and left a huge gap, allowing the Seahawks to score a touchdown with 11:12 left in the first quarter, and the defense didn’t look good at all. The Titans answered back with a field goal at the 8:02 mark of the first quarter, after a nine play, 53 – yard drive.
I really thought we should have gotten a pass interference call, but we had to settle for 3.
“Then with 5:43 left in the first quarter, Seattle broke off a 59 – yard touchdown run. Seattle missed the extra point, making the score Seattle 13, Titans 3. In the second quarter, Seattle fumbled a punt and the Titans recovered. After that, the Seahawks never scored again. Our second – string guys came in and did a great job, and both back – up quarterbacks played well. The Titans earned their second preseason win of the year. … Let’s hope for the best for the rest of the year.”
The preseason finale against the Chicago Bears is set for 5 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Aug. 29. The Bears are the last team to beat the Titans in preseason, going back to 2021.
