Seahawks face short week and long trip but Titans expect Carroll will have them prepared
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has played
Brian Urlacher Jersey against Seattle coach Pete Carroll long enough to know the Seahawks will be ready to play Sunday. Just ignore that the won an emotional game Monday night, downing .Flying acro s the country to Music City for an early kickoff? Yes, that too.Hes going to have them guys ready to go regardle s of whether the game was on a Saturday at 3 in the afternoon, Al-Shaair said. "I just know theyre going to be ready to play. So we got to do the same.ADVERTISEMENT The Seahawks may be sitting just outside the NFC's seventh and final playoff spot, but they're among five teams tied at 7-7 after snapping a four-game skid. Their schedule also gets easier, even though they finish with two of three on the road.Carroll thinks his Seahawks are at their best now because of fighting through their schedule. Weve been sharpened against the best the NFL can offer, Carroll said. "Hopefully, we can use that down the stretch here and we can play really good ball in this game and take it to the next one. The setup, as hard as it was, couldnt have been better for us, and well see what happens.The Titans (5-9) have lost back-to-back home games in overtime, the
Khalil Mack Jersey last a that ended their playoff hopes. Right now, all that's on the line is pride, job security somewhere if not in Tenne see and another chance to play. You dont want to put bad film out there," said Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry, who has a career-high 11 sacks with his contract up after this season. CLOSING STRETCHThe Seahawks just concluded a five-game stretch against NFC opponents that have either clinched a postseason berth or currently hold a playoff spot including two against NFC-best San Francisco.So dont mind the Seahawks if they find the final three games to be a bit of a breather, comparatively speaking.Seattle closes with the game at Tenne see, home against Pittsburgh and at Arizona in Week 18. Those teams have a combined record of 15-27 going into Week 16.QB ISSUESThe Seahawks expect to play after mi sing two games with an injured groin. The Titans are hoping rookie Will Levis can play after he has been dealing with mid-November. He made clear he wants to play his ninth straight game. If not
Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey , will make his first start since Oct. 15 when he sprained his right ankle in a lo s to Baltimore. Carroll said he can see why the Titans are fired up about watching Levis develop, but they're preparing for both po sible starters. Ryan comes back, and hes an accomplished, established, experienced quarterback that can run this offense. Weve got to get ready for all of that, Carroll said. RUN ISSUESSeattle ranks 28th in the league in rushing and is averaging le s than 100 yards per game on
Jim McMahon Jersey the ground. Nonethele s, the Seahawks are simply a different and more productive offense when they commit to the run.It showed in the second half last week as Kenneth Walker III carried 12 times for 65 yards and a TD. The Titans are 17th in the league at stopping the run, but have allowed big days on the ground the past two weeks against Miami (158 yards) and Houston (148) while playing without two-time Pro Bowl lineman Jeffery Simmons.D-HENBERDerrick Henry is coming off his worst game as a starter in the NFL with a combined 10 yards from scrimmage last week. The two-time NFL rushing champ had the fewest yards with at least 20 touches in .The Seahawks rank 25th in rushing defense, giving up 127.3 yards per game. Henry has dominated in December and January since 2018, averaging a league-best 117.2 yards per game and running for 26 TDs, including four this month.SECONDARY SHAKE-UPSeattle made changes to its secondary against Philadelphia. Cornerback Michael Jackson started with Riq Woolen benched after Carroll said there was an open competition in practice. Tre Brown started after mi sing time with a heel injury.Artie Burns played with rookie Devon Witherspoon out, and safety Julian
Buster Skrine Jersey Love stepped into a bigger role with Jamal Adams out. Love, the NFC defensive player of the week, had two fourth-quarter interceptions.How much those changes stick is unknown. Jackson played well enough to get another start. Witherspoon seems likely to mi s another week due to his hip injury. Carroll also sounded pe simistic that Adams, who's still experiencing knee discomfort, would be back this week.___AP Sports Writer Tim Booth contributed to this report. ___AP NFL: