The Tennessee Titans defeated the Seattle Seahawks 19-16, improving to 2-0 in the preseason. It was more of a mixed bag showing than a positive one. The first-team defense struggled mightily against the Seahawks' reserve offense. Titans quarterback Cam Ward and the offense were sloppy, too.
The consensus was that the Titans "won" the joint practice with the Seahawks on Friday. Even though they also emerged from the exhibition contest victorious, it wasn't necessarily a promising showing. The Seahawks were better on both sides of the ball when Tennessee's starters were in the game.
Various Titans players were noticeable, for better or worse. We've identified four winners and losers apiece from the Titans' second preseason victory.
Winners & Losers from the Tennessee Titans' Week 2 preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks
Loser: Kevin Winston Jr., S
The Seahawks' second-team offense opened the game with an eight play, 74-yard scoring drive against the Titans' first-team defense. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. was responsible for a coverage bust on a 36-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo. On the Seahawks' next possession, Winston was among those who took a bad angle on a 69-yard touchdown run by Jacardia Wright. It was a forgettable evening for the second-year safety.
Winner: Joey Slye, K
After making four field goals in Week 1, including three from 50-plus, placekicker Joey Slye carried his momentum over into the second preseason contest. With the Titans' offense failing to sustain drives, Slye made three first-half kicks, including another 55 yarder. After adding a fourth conversion in the fourth quarter, he's put his early camp struggles firmly behind him.
Loser: Gunnar Helm, TE
After the Titans' first-string offense stalled on its first few drives, Ward appeared to hit a third-down explosive after escaping the pocket and making an off-script play. Instead, Gunnar Helm failed to get two feet in bounds despite having enough real estate to do so. It was a missed opportunity by Helm, who wasted Ward's effort.
Winner: Anthony Hill Jr., LB
Rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has consistently forced turnovers this offseason, from OTAs to training camp. Well, the former Texas Longhorns defender got his first of the preseason when he intercepted Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe during the third quarter. Hill sat in a zone and picked off a pass that was telegraphed to him. He added a sack on a well-designed blitz in the fourth quarter.
Winner: Julius Chestnut, RB
Speaking of Chestnut, he's always been a preseason legend and this year is no different. The former Sacred Heart standout produced a first-half high 34 yards via just five touches. Chestnut continues to compete hard as a runner, receiver, and special teams competitor, finishing with 72 total yards.
Loser: Second-string OL
The second-team offensive line replaced the starters after three possessions. The reserves got completely pushed back on first down, with running back Michael Carter losing three yards on a run. The next play? a Mitch Trubisky sack that led to a third-and-long and eventual punt. A holding penalty on this unit also nullified an Xavier Restrepo touchdown.
Loser: Will Levis, QB
No. 3 quarterback Will Levis is attempting to rehabilitate his reputation around the league while likely possessing some internal hope that he'll find a better opportunity elsewhere. He played extensively Sunday, but did nothing to increase his chances. Levis finished 4-of-9 for 15 yards, took three sacks, and rushed for an additional 15 yards. The turnover-prone quarterback routinely made ill-advised decisions and lackluster passing reads.
Winner: Screen Game
New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has worked to revitalize the screen game after the Titans were terrible in that department last season. It looked much better, with Tyjae Spears catching a nine-yard design on 1st-and-10, and Julius Chestnut later getting 16 yards on a screen from Trubisky. Hopefully they can manufacture some yards on offense this season.
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