The Tennessee Titans host the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in a game that is likely to be more of the same for Titans’ fans.

The Seahawks last had a losing record in 2021, but 2022 was their last playoff appearance, something they’d like to remedy this season. They’ve put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs this year, and they’ll strive to get past the divisional round for the first time since 2013. With Sam Darnold under center and Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauling in catches down the field, the Seahawks have a legitimate shot at getting to the Super Bowl.

The Titans, meanwhile, are more focused on their players and developing those players than actually winning games. With just one win under their belts this season, they have not yet been mathematically eliminated, but their chances of a postseason appearance are quite slim. Instead, they’ll work on specific plays and try to come away from the game without incurring further injuries.

Let’s take a look at five major storylines around the Titans and Seahawks Week 12 matchup.

Titans’ WR injuries

Tyler Lockett is gone. Calvin Ridley is done for the season with a broken fibula. Bryce Oliver is on injured reserve. Elic Ayomanor is nursing a hamstring injury. Chimere Dike is in concussion protocol. Who’s left? Van Jefferson, James Proche II, and Mason Kinsey. If Ayomanor and Dike are both ruled out for Sunday’s game, the Titans will have to call up some players from the practice squad. Otherwise, Cam Ward will have no one to throw the ball to if another receiver gets hurt.

There are other pass-catchers like Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm, and the running backs can provide a short-yardage outlet, but right now, they don’t have anyone who can stretch the field.

Cam Ward’s trial by fire

Ward got thrown to the wolves in multiple ways this season. First, he was thrust into the starting position when Will Levis had season-ending surgery. It’s usually better for young quarterbacks to be eased into the game, especially as a rookie, but Ward didn’t have that luxury. On top of that, he has faced the toughest defensive slate of any rookie quarterback this season.

Even so, Ward has shown flashes of growth, including a 95-yard game-tying drive against the Houston Texans in Week 11, which he did without Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, and Elic Ayomanor. Ayomanor was on the field, but he did not make a reception on that drive. So, despite 12 turnovers this season, Ward is definitely showing he’s willing to work with whoever is on the field with him, and he can do so effectively. Now he just needs to do it consistently.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that JSN leads the league in receiving with 1,146 receiving yards. The next closest receiver to him is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens with 908 receiving yards. That’s a difference of 238 yards from the top receiver to the second one, which is a massive gap. There’s certainly no sophomore slump for JSN. He’s responsible for nearly half of Sam Darnold’s passing production, and he’s already surpassed his total yardage from his rookie season by 16 yards.

Smith-Njigba’s most productive game came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, when he caught eight passes on 13 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he put up that kind of production on a decimated Titans’ secondary.

Jeffery Simmons vs. Seattle’s offensive line

Jeffery Simmons is the Titans’ most disruptive defensive force on the field, but he’s going to need some help against an offensive line that’s allowed just 10 sacks all season. Seattle’s offense is top-6 in scoring, so the Titans need Simmons to be on top of his game. They’ll also need T’Vondre Sweat, Cedric Gray, and Cody Barton to be even more disruptive than usual on Sunday.

Momentum mismatch

Similar to a few other games they’ve had this season, the Titans are facing a team that’s going a different direction than they are. Seattle is 7-3 and headed to the playoffs, and despite a four-interception loss to the Los Angeles Rams, facing a defense that has allowed over 220 passing yards in eight out of 10 games provides an excellent opportunity for a rebound win. Seattle is 5-0 against the spread on the road, while the Titans are 2-3 at home.

Seattle is pushing forward, looking to win each game and get that much closer to a Super Bowl appearance. The Titans are taking a step back, not to “tank” for the draft, but to develop its young players in preparation for next season. These teams are not the same.