Seattle Seahawks (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)
Week 3 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 4:05PM EST
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: SEA +3/TEN -3
Over/Under Total: 43
The Seattle Seahawks come out to Nashville on Sunday for a week three matchup against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Both teams came out ahead on Sunday, with the Titans definitely notching the more-impressive win. They were able to beat a Jaguars team that looked really good in week one on the road, 37-16. After a slow first half that ended with Tennessee ahead only 9-3, the offense got into gear and cruised home for the win. Seattle, meanwhile, needed last-quarter dramatics at home to get a win against massive underdog San Francisco in a game that was an offensive quagmire. They got the win and that's what counts. It isn't always pretty for the Seahawks, but the bottom-line is what counts most.
Even so, the Seahawks' grip on being a top team in the NFC appears to be as loose as it has been in quite a while. After holding Green Bay to 17 points and 7 of that being scored on defense, they held the 49ers to 9 points, which is pretty darned good. Obviously, the defense isn't the issue. And while San Francisco's defense will sneak up on some teams this season, the Seattle offense has been even worse than normal. It took them until halfway through the 4th quarter in their second game and a heroic play by Russell Wilson to get their first touchdown of the season. It has been downright ugly this season.
Russell Wilson is hardly the problem. He gets inconsistent play around him. Doug Baldwin did well to become a better receiver over the years and Jimmy Graham is still a handful at tight end. The cabaret approach at running back leaves something to be desired and Eddie Lacy was a healthy scratch on Sunday, as that high-profile acquisition hasn't gotten off to a great start. At the end of the day, they are handcuffed by a weak offensive line that is a constant threat to undermine the entire operation. And if Darrell Bevell possesses genius as an offensive coordinator, it's above our heads. To us, it seems like he gets about as little out of this group as he possibly can in a large percentage of games. A big part of the Seattle win on Sunday came down to Wilson and his ability to make clutch plays late, as he dodged two potential sacks and hit Paul Richardson in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Again, the Seattle defense remains a top unit in the league. They have menace on all levels. As usual, Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright shined at linebacker. Michael Bennett and Frank Clark got sacks up-front, though they weren't always that good against the run, which also falls on Jarran Reed and Sheldon Richardson. And the secondary, anchored by charter Legion of Boom members Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Richard Sherman continue to do their thing. Giving up 26 combined points in two games should be good enough for 2-0.
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Again, it was 9-6 Tennessee in the first half and ended up 37-16, as the Titans opened up with 34 straight points to take control, 37-9, before Jacksonville tacked on late TD on Sunday. After watching the Titans blow it late in week one against the Raiders with mistakes and a defense that went toppling over, week two was a source of comfort for Tennessee backers. Marcus Mariota's numbers weren't great perhaps, but he commandeered the offense to big things in the second half in taking over the game. He made good use of Delanie Walker, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, Eric Decker and Jonnu Smith. Promising high draft pick Corey Davis looks to have some injury stuff to work out before making a real contribution. The run-game was really good. After the game got out of hand, they let DeMarco Murray sit, showing they have another top back in Derrick Henry, who ran for 92 yards and a score.
After melting late in week one against Oakland, the Tennessee defense had a better game on the road on Sunday, getting better as the game unfolded, both stout and making big plays throughout the game. Da'Norris Searcy and Curtis Riley had picks, while Erik Walden recovered a fumble. The middle played well with Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo notching sacks. Up-front, Jurrell Casey and Sylvester Williams were helpful in limiting the run. And new corner tandem Logan Ryan and rookie Adoree Jackson offer promise for the Tennessee secondary.
After watching Seattle's offense the first two weeks, the mind starts feeling inclined to make a case for the Titans this week. But that feeling is muffled when pondering the Seattle defense and how they should match up well with this Titans' offense. These teams both have a pretty wide range of possible forms. Both at 1-1, it's important for both teams, each of whom would be very let down if they didn't make the playoffs. While it's hard to get behind Seattle based on the first two weeks, we like them to cover this week.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Seattle Seahawks plus 3 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Seattle vs. Tennessee game by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus!
