The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a gritty 30-24 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville — a game that wasn’t decided by brute force, but by precision, poise, and one receiver who refused to go down. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the difference-maker, hauling in two touchdown passes from Sam Darnold, including a 13-yard grab where he dragged three defenders past the 20-yard line before finally being pushed out of bounds. It wasn’t just the touchdowns. It was how he got them — sharp cuts, relentless yards after catch, and a calmness under pressure that made the Titans’ secondary look lost. The win improved Seattle’s record to 8-4, putting them firmly in the AFC West playoff conversation. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s season is unraveling, stuck at 4-8 and dead last in the league in third-down efficiency.
Smith-Njigba Steals the Spotlight
Let’s be real: nobody expected Jaxon Smith-Njigba to become the Seahawks’ most dangerous weapon this late in the season. But here he is — 11 catches, 142 yards, two scores. His first touchdown came on a slant route that looked like a routine completion until he spun away from Witherspoon and dove into the end zone. The second? A crossing pattern over the middle. Safety Murphy bit on the play-action. Smith-Njigba caught it at the 18, stiff-armed a linebacker, and sprinted the rest of the way. CBS analyst Bryant McFadden put it best: "There’s no denying that Smith-Njigba is just... His No. 1 ability to attack and get yards after catch." He’s not just a receiver. He’s a weapon that changes defensive schemes on the fly.
Darnold Delivers, Titans Struggle to Move the Chains
Sam Darnold didn’t throw for 400 yards. He didn’t need to. He threw 248, no interceptions, and made every key throw when it mattered. He found Chimere Dike for a 12-yard touchdown — Dike’s second of the year — and hit Zach Charbonnet on a 5-yard run that sealed the game’s momentum. But the real story was Tennessee’s offense. The Titans were 2-for-14 on third down. Two. For. Fourteen. With Derrick Henry (called "Ward" on broadcast audio) stuck behind the line of scrimmage on multiple attempts, the Titans’ running game was neutered. Announcers kept repeating: "Third and 8. Here comes pressure from Witherspoon. In trouble is Ward." He never got past the line. The Titans’ offensive line couldn’t hold. Their receivers were covered. And their quarterback? He was under constant duress from Gunner Helm and Art Key, who made a critical read in the fourth quarter to break up a potential game-tying pass.
The Injury Dominoes Keep Falling
It’s hard to overstate how much losing Calvin Ridley hurt Tennessee. The veteran wideout, lost for the season with a broken fibula the week before, was their most reliable target. Without him, the Titans’ passing game became predictable — and easily defended. Tony Pard was targeted 11 times and caught just four. No one else stepped up. Meanwhile, Seattle’s offense, despite missing DK Metcalf for most of the game due to a hamstring tweak, didn’t miss a beat. Jason Myers added three field goals, including a 48-yarder that kept Seattle ahead when the Titans were threatening to tie it. The defense? They forced three punts and a turnover on downs in the final 12 minutes. That’s playoff-caliber.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Seahawks head into their Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with real momentum. At 8-4, they’re tied for second in the AFC West. A win next week could put them in the driver’s seat for a home playoff game. Meanwhile, the Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars — a team they’ve beaten twice in the last three years. But with their offense sputtering and their defense gassed from chasing Darnold all day, this feels like a trap game. And they know it. Coach Mike Vrabel said after the game: "We’re not out of it. But we’ve got to fix what’s broken. And it starts with third downs. You can’t keep asking your defense to bail you out like this."
Defensive Gems and Near-Misses
Seattle’s defense didn’t get the headlines, but they were the unsung heroes. Gunner Helm had a fourth-quarter sack that forced a Titans punt with 4:12 left. Art Key intercepted a tipped pass in the red zone that should’ve been a touchdown for Tennessee. And Kevin Winston broke up a deep ball to Tony Pard on third-and-10 with 1:47 to go — a play that effectively ended the game. The Titans had one last drive, but Darnold took three kneel-downs and ran out the clock. No drama. No heroics. Just execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s performance compare to his rookie season?
Smith-Njigba’s 2025 season has been a dramatic leap from his rookie year. After battling injuries in 2024, he’s now on pace for over 1,000 receiving yards — nearly triple his rookie total. His yards after catch average has jumped from 5.8 to 9.2 per reception, making him one of the NFL’s most dangerous after-the-catch threats. Coaches now design plays specifically to get him the ball in space, something they rarely did last year.
Why are the Titans so bad on third down?
Tennessee ranks 32nd in third-down conversion rate at just 28.7%. Their offensive line has been decimated by injuries, and their running backs are consistently stuffed behind the line. Quarterback Will Levis has been pressured on 41% of his dropbacks over the last four games — the highest rate in the league. Without Calvin Ridley to stretch the field, defenses are stacking the box, and the Titans have no answer.
What’s the significance of this win for the Seahawks’ playoff chances?
With the win, Seattle is now tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the sixth seed in the AFC. They hold the tiebreaker over the Chargers and hold a one-game lead over the Broncos. A win against the Chargers next week would all but guarantee a playoff berth — and potentially a home game. This victory proved they can win without DK Metcalf and without a dominant ground game. Darnold and Smith-Njigba are now the engine.
Did injuries impact the outcome more than strategy?
Absolutely. Tennessee lost not just Calvin Ridley, but starting center Rodger Saffold in Week 10 and left tackle Ty Sambrailo in Week 11. Their offensive line has been a patchwork since Week 9. Meanwhile, Seattle’s only major injury was Metcalf’s hamstring — and they’ve adapted. The Titans’ struggles weren’t just tactical. They were physical. They simply didn’t have the bodies to compete.
How did Seattle’s special teams contribute?
Jason Myers was flawless — 3-for-3 on field goals, including a 48-yarder that extended Seattle’s lead to 13 points in the third quarter. His leg gave the Seahawks breathing room. The Titans, meanwhile, missed a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter — their third missed field goal in the last three games. Special teams have been a hidden factor in both teams’ seasons, and Sunday, Seattle’s edge was decisive.
What’s the historical context of this matchup?
The Seahawks have won six of the last seven meetings against the Titans, including a 34-27 win in Nashville last season. But this was the first time Seattle won without a 100-yard rusher since 2020. The Titans, meanwhile, have lost five straight road games — their longest road skid since 2017. This game continues a trend: Seattle is becoming a team that wins in the trenches and through the air, while Tennessee keeps losing games they should win because their offense can’t sustain drives.