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NFL Preseason-Week 1

Titans and Seahawks set to clash this Saturday night on the NFL Network

While Tennessee would love to open the preseason with a win to keep the momentum going after finishing last season at 9-7 and just missing the playoffs, the real battle on Saturday night will be at the quarterback position. Long time veteran Matt Hasselbeck is trying to hold on to the starting job, but is being pressed hard by Jake Locker, who enters just his second year in the league.

There will also be some key position battles on the defensive side of the ball as the Titans try and improve a unit that ended last season ranked 18th overall in the NFL. Head coach Mike Munchak selected wide receiver Kendall Wright in the first round of the draft, but went on to use five of his next six picks on this side of the ball. Look for linebacker Zach Brown, who was taken in the second round and third-round pick defensive tackle Mike Martin to try and make their presence felt in this game.

Seattle also comes into this first game of the preseason with a quarterback battle on its hands. This one is a three-way contest between the incumbent Tarvaris Jackson and newcomers Matt Flynn, who was signed as a free-agent from Green Bay and third-round draft choice Russell Wilson. Whoever ends up behind center will have a new weapon in their arsenal with the arrival of wide receiver Terrell Owens. After an impressive workout earlier this week, the 38-year old veteran was signed to a one-year deal.

The Seahawks went 7-9 last season primarily behind a much-improved defense that was ranked ninth overall in the league in total yards allowed. The addition of defensive end Bruce Irvin in the first round of the draft and linebacker Bobby Wagner, who was selected in the second round, should only make this unit better in 2012.

Prediction

With three quarterbacks fighting things out, the slight advantage in this game goes to Seattle as each will be doing everything in their power to catch head coach Pete Carroll’s eye on Saturday night. Things should remain fairly close throughout, but stick with the Seahawks to win and cover the three points. Seattle 24 Tennessee 17