Titans vs Seahawks: Facing the Legion of Boom and 12th Man

Sep 16, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; A 12th Man tiff is displayed prior to the first kickoff between the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

On Oct. 13, the Tennessee Titans hit the road to take on the 4-1 Seattle Seahawks. Playing the Seahawks is a tough enough task in itself, nonetheless when you have to play it in front of the record-setting Seattle fans known as the 12th Man. During Week 2 of the 2013-14 NFL season, Seahawks fans were registered at nearly 137 decibels.

To say we have a huge challenge ahead of us is an understatement. The Titans not only have to worry about the physical, hard-hitting Seahawks defense, but the loudness of the 12th Man is a factor that cannot be overlooked. The Seahawks have the most physical defensive secondary in the league appropriately nicknamed the “Legion of Boom”.

I can’t help but look at this matchup and be somewhat intimidated myself.  When the Titans aren’t on defense trying to maintain Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, they will be on offense with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to have the team on the same page with a roaring crowd along with battling the aforementioned Legion of Boom.

For the Titans to find success, they must establish the run game early with Chris Johnson. Johnson hasn’t had a “WOW” game yet this year and it is necessary for it to happen this week.  If the Titans are able to establish some healthy CJ runs, they could open up the playbook with some play-action and shots down the field. It is imperative that Fitzpatrick plays a sound game. The Titans are unable to give the Seahawks good field position with careless turnovers. Prior to Week 5, the Titans had done an exceptional job of protecting the ball.

The Titans will rely heavily on their defense to match the intensity that the Legion of Boom and company bring to the table.  I am confident that if the Titans can establish the run, get some shots down the field, and play a great game defensively to set up the offense in good field position that we can steal this win in a challenging road game.