Seahawks vs. Titans score: Derrick Henry's three second-half touchdowns fuel Tennessee's dramatic overtime win
The Titans overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to secure their first win
The Tennessee Titans secured an incredible comeback victory in overtime over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 33-30. Derrick Henry powered this dramatic win, as he scored three touchdowns in the second half to help the Titans overcome a 15-point deficit. He rushed for 182 yards and was once again unstoppable on the ground.
The Seahawks had won 11 straight home openers, but this loss does not fall on Russell Wilson. He threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns, while his running mate Tyler Lockett caught eight passes for 178 yards and one touchdown. The loss was a shocking one, as the Seahawks were 52-0 when leading by at least 15 points at home. Now, they are 52-1.
Tennessee outscored Seattle, 21-6, in the final two quarters to get the game to overtime. It was undoubtedly one of the best games of the week, so let's dive into what exactly happened.
Why the Titans won
All hail King Henry. After rushing for just 58 yards on 17 carries last Sunday, Henry shouldered the load this week with 182 yards and three scores. He also was noticeably involved in the passing game, as he caught a career-high six passes for 55 yards. He and the Titans had to overcome a lot on Sunday. Left tackle Taylor Lewan was a late scratch due to injury and then left guard Rodger Saffold and center Ben Jones got banged up in the middle of the game. Henry was able to make up for all of it.
We also need to extend a special shoutout to Julio Jones, as he caught six passes for 128 yards on eight targets. He had a drop or two, but really came through as the elite receiver Ryan Tannehill needed while A.J. Brown struggled. Jones also may or may not have caught a touchdown, but we'll get to that in a bit.
Why the Seahawks lost
The Seahawks looked like the better team for the majority of the matchup, but it really seemed like they lifted their foot off of the gas pedal. Up 24-9 heading into the third quarter, the defense got punched in the mouth as Tannehill led an eight-play, 80-yard drive which was capped by the Titans' first touchdown of the game. It was the first score of what would turn into a 24-6 run. Even on the Seahawks' lone touchdown of the second half, Jason Myers missed the extra point! A pretty important thing to note, as of course this game went to overtime.
The second-half Seahawks were not as good as the first-half Seahawks -- and that goes for both sides of the ball. They left the door open for a Titans comeback and this feisty group took advantage.
Turning point
Speaking of the Seahawks struggling in the second half, those struggles carried into overtime. What in the world was Wilson doing on this play? It easily could have been ruled a safety -- which would have ended the contest.
There wasn't a true "turning point," because we didn't find out who the winner would be until that ball went through the uprights. The Titans have notably struggled at the kicker position, and were once again trying out a brand new player on Sunday in Randy Bullock. He may have earned himself a job, as he made 4 of 5 field goals and all three of his extra points.
Play of the game
Another week, another long Lockett touchdown. He and Wilson have feasted on secondaries to start this new year, and it's something new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will look to build off of as we move deeper into the regular season.
This score was especially fun because it looked like Lockett wasn't going to be able to escape the safety to score the touchdown. But the two defenders ran into each other which freed up one of the most underrated wideouts in the NFL.
Controversial TD reversed
With just over a minute before halftime, it appeared the Titans had cut into the Seahawks' lead with a Jones touchdown. However, it was ruled his heel had come down out of bounds. What do you think?
What's next
The Titans return to Nashville this week, and will host division rivals in the 0-2 Indianapolis Colts. As for the Seahawks, they hit the road to take on the winless Minnesota Vikings.
What a game. The Titans were once down 15 points, but Derrick Henry's legs just didn't stop churning. He carried this team to a win despite not having his offensive line healthy. Unreal!
Oh man. We almost had a safety decide overtime! Incredible. Russell Wilson has to get rid of the ball sooner!
If the Titans lose this game, I would say it's because of drops. Six drops now and they have costed them dearly in overtime.
A.J. Brown has now caught just three of nine targets.
Oh no roughing the passer penalty. That is absolutely HUGE. Adams put his facemask right in Tannehill's facemask. Seahawks now have 10 penalties for 100 yards.
If I had to guess, the Titans are going to dink and dunk their way down the field. They are going to take this slowly. I don't know if that's a great game plan, but feeding Henry certainly has been working.
Thought Russell Wilson was about to fumble that and we were going to get a wild ending!
If the Titans score, do they kick the XP or go for it? I think I would kick. You have momentum.
Seahawks need a stand here. Can't let Henry keep chipping away.
Titans moving the ball here! Wow. Jeremy McNichols with some clutch plays.