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Titans-Seahawks Preview

Dec 30, 2009 - 7:15 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Watching Chris Johnson run through defenses was probably much more fun for the Tennessee Titans when they were headed for the playoffs last season.

Though another postseason spot is out of reach, the Titans hope to help their two-time Pro Bowl running back become the sixth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards as they visit the struggling Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Tennessee's faint hopes of making a third straight playoff appearance came to an end with a 42-17 loss to San Diego on Christmas. The Titans (7-8) entered having won seven of eight, thanks partly to Johnson's play.

Johnson, Tennessee's only Pro Bowl starter this season, is 128 yards away from becoming the first 2,000-yard rusher since Jamal Lewis reached that mark with Baltimore in 2003. He also leads the NFL with 2,355 yards from scrimmage, needing 75 more for the NFL record held by Marshall Faulk.

"Of course, the 2,000-yard mark is not an individual goal," coach Jeff Fisher said. "That's a team goal. It's just not CJ. That's an opportunity for his offensive teammates to be part of the history book, so it's not just Chris Johnson. It may on the outside looking in. It's not inside this building."

Johnson is the first player in franchise history to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons since defensive end Jevon Kearse in 1999 and 2000. He was among seven Titans selected to the Pro Bowl from last season's 13-3 team, but Tennessee is now just trying to finish at .500 following an 0-6 start.

"Play hard and do everything you possibly can, try to win it," Fisher said. "Pretty simple. It's the next game on our schedule."

Fisher fell to 0-6 against the Chargers. The only other team he has yet to beat is Seattle (5-10).

The Titans franchise is 0-5 against the Seahawks since Fisher took over as coach in 1994. It has lost six straight at Seattle since winning the first meeting there Nov. 20, 1977.

Fisher has a strong opportunity to end his struggles in this series, as the Seahawks have been blown out in each of their last three games.

A 48-10 loss at Green Bay last Sunday marked the most points allowed by Seattle since a 51-48 win over Kansas City on Nov. 20, 1983. A fourth-quarter touchdown pass kept the Seahawks from the worst margin of defeat in their history.

Seattle lost by 27 at Houston on Dec. 20 and by 17 at home to Tampa Bay the previous week. The Seahawks have dropped nine games by double digits.

Still, coach Jim Mora insists his team has not quit.

"Let me just be really clear: There is no lack of effort on this football team," he said.

One of the Seahawks' biggest concerns is the play of Matt Hasselbeck, who has thrown eight interceptions and lost a fumble in his last two games.

"There's definitely an element of forcing things," Hasselbeck said. "Two weeks in a row personally just giving the ball to them. I'm searching for answers. I wish I had a good one."

A three-time Pro Bowler, Hasselbeck has played behind an ineffective offensive line and has endured a bad back, broken ribs, sore throwing shoulder and injured thumb.

Hasselbeck won't have Nate Burleson to throw to for the third straight game. Burleson, who finishes the season with 63 catches for 812 yards, has a high ankle sprain.

Deion Branch will likely start in his place.

Starting running back Julius Jones may also sit out after re-injuring his bruised ribs and hurting a foot against the Packers.

If Jones can't go, Justin Forsett will probably get his third start of the season. Forsett has impressed at times in a part-time role, averaging 5.2 yards on 104 carries and catching 39 passes for 336 yards.