Titans facing another test
Falcons are next for winless Tennessee
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans certainly are getting tested this preseason by one playoff team after another. And now they get to play Atlanta, a team that just missed a trip to the Super Bowl.
Coach Mike Munchak wants a win against the Falcons after losing first to Washington, then at Cincinnati.
“Winning always matters,” Munchak said. “We’re 0-2. I know when the (smoke) clears in two weeks it doesn’t matter, but it does. You want to win everything you do.”
The Titans are coming off a 6-10 season and haven’t reached the postseason since 2008. Munchak takes the approach that playing as if the game counts is better preparation for the regular season. Tennessee faces a challenging start beginning Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh followed by a trip to Houston.
“Hopefully, that gets some of the things you’re seeing that aren’t as good out of our system and we’re learning from the mistakes we’re making now, and come Pittsburgh and Houston, we’re a better football team than we were last week and that we are this week,” Munchak said.
The Falcons (0-2) also are winless after a 27-23 loss to Baltimore last week. That doesn’t matter as much for a team that went an NFC-best 13-3 last season. Receiver Roddy White is recovering from an ankle injury, but Matt Ryan will have one of his favorite targets on the field now that veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez is back with Atlanta.
IN A PRESEASON GAME
Seahawks 17, Packers 10 at Green Bay, Wis.: Christine Michael ran for 97 yards and Stephen Williams snatched a ball from cornerback Loyce Means in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown catch in Seattle’s preseason victory over Green Bay.
Michael added a 43-yard touch- down run in the third quarter for the Seahawks (3-0), who stayed unbeaten but didn’t look like the juggernaut that steamrolled over Denver and San Diego the previous two weeks.
Vince Young, vying for the backup quarterback job behind Aaron Rodgers, was 6-of-7 passing for 41 yards and the only TD — a 1-yard pass to Jonathan Amosa — on the night for Green Bay (1-2).
Rodgers played one series, going 4 of 7 for 41 yards. Seahawks starter Russell Wilson, returning to the state where he played in college, was 11 of 17 for 126 yards and two interceptions.
DEVELOPMENTS
Texan loses appeal: Houston coach Gary Kubiak says the NFL has upheld defensive end Antonio Smith’s three-game suspension.
Smith was suspended Wednesday for the last two preseason games and Houston’s season opener for hitting Miami guard Richie Incognito with the Dolphins player’s helmet. Smith appealed, but it was denied Friday.