NASHVILLE – Ryan Tannehill, like the rest of his teammates, has been trying to ignore the noise following an ugly, opinion-sparking performance in the season opener.
That will continue on Sunday when the Titans quarterback plays in Seattle at Lumen Field, regarded as one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.
Following a year of playing road games in empty or limited capacity stadiums, Tannehill is anticipating using a silent count for the first time since the team's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs in Kansas City.
"I wouldn't say I am looking forward to it," Tannehill said with a smile on Wednesday. "But it is going to be good to play in front of a real crowd. There's nothing like going into a hostile environment and feeling that energy and being able to operate. … We have to communicate. It is going to be loud, it is going to be hectic. We have to be able to communicate cleanly in a loud, hostile environment.
"It is going to be a challenge for us – we're going to have to work it this week, and be clean going into the game. But we're looking forward to that."
Tannehill on Wednesday said the Titans know they have plenty to fix following a 38-13 loss to the Cardinals, when he threw for 212 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked six times.
The Titans had trouble establishing the run early, and they found themselves playing catch-up. In Week One, the protection, and the execution in the passing game, wasn't good enough to inspire a rally.
"Ultimately," Tannehill said, "it just comes down to getting back to playing our game. I think at times we didn't play to our standard, obviously, with the effort, the finish, the passion. We have to get back to that. (The Cardinals) got off to a good start, and tip your hat to them. But at the end of the day, we have to dig back into what we believe in, and come out swinging, come back fighting. I look forward to the opportunity this week for our guys to go finish, to play fast, to play aggressive, to push piles, to move people in the run game and get that momentum going.
"We got hit in the mouth early (vs the Cardinals) and we didn't respond well."
Things won't be easy on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Seattle beat the Colts 28-16 in Week One as they collected three sacks. The Seahawks are 106-46 (.697) at home since 2002.
Seattle is talented on defense, with some big-time playmakers.
"I think you can pretty much count on every year that Seattle's defense is going to be pretty good," Tannehill said. "I think it's been the last 10-12 years they've been solid just about every year. I have a ton of respect for their program and what they have been doing. … You look at this team and they have length on the edges, flying linebackers – Bobby Wagner obviously one of the best linebackers in the game. (Safety) Jamal Adams is making plays all over the place, he's aggressive, is a great tackler, a great pressure guy. The corners are covering well.
"We will definitely have our hands full this week."
