The Seattle Seahawks escaped Nissan Stadium with a 30-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, November 23, 2025 — a game that felt less like a blowout and more like a survival test. Seattle jumped out to a commanding lead, only to watch Tennessee claw back with astonishing grit, converting five fourth downs in the final 12 minutes. The final play wasn’t a game-sealing interception or a clock-killing drive — it was a two-point conversion stop that left fans breathless and coaches exhausted.
Early Dominance, Late Chaos
The Seahawks came out firing. Quarterback Drew Lock connected with D.K. Metcalf for a 42-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Kenneth Walker III added a 12-yard scamper just before halftime. By the third quarter, Seattle led 23-10. But what looked like a routine win turned into a nail-biter when the Titans, down 30-17 with 6:42 left, began their improbable rally. Chimere Dike, thrust into the spotlight after Calvin Ridley’s season-ending fibula fracture in Week 11, hauled in a 28-yard strike from Cam Ward with just 43 seconds remaining. The touchdown cut the lead to six — and suddenly, the Titans had life.
But here’s the twist: Tennessee’s offense, ranked dead last in the league in pass protection according to broadcast analysts, somehow kept the chains moving. Five fourth-down conversions. Five. One was a 14-yard scramble by Ward. Another, a dump-off to Tony Pard on third-and-12 that turned into a first down. And then, with the game on the line, Patrick O’Connell — the Seahawks’ undrafted linebacker — shed two blockers and dropped Ward for a 1-yard sack on third down, forcing the Titans into a desperate two-point attempt.
Calvin Ridley’s Absence Echoes Through Nashville
Without Calvin Ridley, who had 587 yards and four touchdowns in his first 10 games, the Titans’ offense looked disjointed — at least at first. Ridley, a model of consistency and route precision, was lost to a broken fibula during Week 11 against the Jaguars. His absence forced Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan to reconfigure his entire passing game. Enter Chimere Dike, a second-year receiver who had 11 catches all season before Sunday. He finished with five receptions for 82 yards and the game’s final touchdown. He wasn’t Ridley. But he was enough.
“We knew we’d have to be creative,” Callahan said postgame. “You don’t replace a guy like Calvin. You just find ways to move the ball — even if it means going for it on fourth down every time.” And they did. Five times. The NFL has seen teams convert three or four fourth downs in a game before. Five? That’s rare. Especially against a defense like Seattle’s, led by coordinator Aden Durde, who had spent the week preparing for Ridley’s routes — only to watch his plan unravel in real time.
Seattle’s Defense: Clutch, Not Perfect
The Seahawks’ defense didn’t dominate — it endured. Gunner Helm, the safety, made a highlight-reel play in the fourth quarter, leaping over two blockers to bat away a Ward pass near the goal line. “Whoa. Oh boy. Gunner Helm. Helm going airborne,” blared the broadcast as the ball fluttered incomplete. That play, at the 5:18 mark, preserved a 27-17 lead and shifted momentum — briefly.
But the real hero? The front seven. Patrick O’Connell’s sack wasn’t just a stat — it was a statement. With the Titans driving and the crowd roaring, he got enough pressure to force Ward into a throwaway on third down, setting up the final two-point stop. The Titans’ offensive line, ranked last in the league in pressures allowed, couldn’t handle Seattle’s stunts and twists. “They ran off Jamie for Tennessee on third down,” one analyst noted during the broadcast, referencing a blitz package that left Tennessee’s right tackle isolated. It was the third time that drive ended in a three-and-out.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
The win improves the Seattle Seahawks to 7-5, keeping them in the thick of the NFC West race. With San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams both hovering at 6-6, every divisional win matters. Seattle now hosts the Rams in Week 13 on November 30 — a game that could determine who controls their own destiny.
For the Titans, it’s a bitter pill. At 4-8, they’re officially out of playoff contention. But this game wasn’t a moral victory — it was a sign of life. Charbanet, their running back, broke off a 22-yard touchdown on a bounce to the edge, showing the kind of playmaking that could carry them into 2026. And Cam Ward, a third-year quarterback who was nearly benched in October, threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t win — but he proved he can lead.
A Slog, But a Sign
Field Gulls reporter John Boyle called it “a slog of a game” — and he wasn’t wrong. The pace was slow. The field position battle was brutal. There were 11 punts and five fourth-down conversions. But sometimes, football isn’t about elegance. It’s about endurance. The Seahawks showed they can win ugly. The Titans showed they can fight when everything’s against them.
For Seattle, it’s a win that keeps their playoff hopes alive. For Tennessee, it’s proof they’re not done — just not quite there yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Seahawks manage to win despite the Titans’ five fourth-down conversions?
Seattle’s defense held firm on the final two-point attempt after Chimere Dike’s touchdown, and key stops on third down — including Patrick O’Connell’s 1-yard sack of Cam Ward — forced Tennessee into longer, higher-risk plays. The Seahawks also limited big plays after halftime, holding the Titans to just 32 yards on their final three drives.
What impact did Calvin Ridley’s injury have on the Titans’ offense?
Ridley’s absence forced Tennessee to abandon its rhythm-based passing game. He averaged 10.1 targets per game and was Ward’s most reliable red-zone option. Without him, the Titans leaned on short passes to Tony Pard and run-pass options, which slowed their tempo and made them more predictable — until late in the game, when Chimere Dike stepped up.
Why was Tennessee’s offensive line ranked dead last in the league?
Tennessee’s line allowed 48 sacks through 11 games — the most in the NFL — and struggled with both speed rushes and stunts. Against Seattle, they were outmuscled on key third downs, leading to three sacks and seven pressures. Their best player, guard Josh Jones, was sidelined with a knee injury in Week 10, leaving the unit even thinner.
How did Patrick O’Connell emerge as a key player in this game?
O’Connell, an undrafted free agent from North Dakota State, had only 1.5 sacks all season before this game. His 1-yard sack on third down with 2:17 left was his first of the year and came on a disguised blitz he read perfectly. His effort earned him a 92.3 grade from Pro Football Focus — the highest of any Seahawks defender in Week 12.
What’s next for the Seahawks and Titans?
Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Rams on November 30 in a critical NFC West matchup. A win would put them in sole possession of second place. Tennessee travels to Jacksonville on the same day — a chance to end their season on a high note. With a new quarterback in Ward and emerging talent like Charbanet and Dike, the Titans’ future looks brighter than their record suggests.
Was this game a turning point for Cam Ward?
Absolutely. Ward completed 25 of 37 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, showing poise under pressure and the ability to extend plays. After being benched in Week 8, he’s now started three straight games and led two fourth-quarter drives to tie or take the lead. He’s not a superstar — but he’s becoming a franchise quarterback in the making.
