Will Levis effectively ends the Ryan Tannehill era in Titans win
NASHVILLE — Will Levis led the Tennessee Titans (3-4) to a win over the Atlanta Falcons (4-4) by a score of 28-23 on Sunday. Decked out in Houston Oilers throwback uniforms, the rookie threw four touchdowns passes in his debut. It was the first time the Tennessee's offense had scored as many points since Week […]
NASHVILLE — Will Levis led the Tennessee Titans (3-4) to a win over the Atlanta Falcons (4-4) by a score of 28-23 on Sunday. Decked out in Houston Oilers throwback uniforms, the rookie threw four touchdowns passes in his debut.
It was the first time the Tennessee's offense had scored as many points since Week 18 of 2021.
The performance was validation that it is time for the Titans to move on from long-time starter Ryan Tannehill. While circumstances for the 35-year old have been less than ideal, Levis showed a spark that neither Tannehill nor back-up Malik Willis have been able to provided in their various opportunities this season. The second-round pick should be given the reins moving forward.
"Not a bad debut," said coach Mike Vrabel. "Got some great efforts from receivers. I thought Hop (DeAndre Hopkins) really got us off and going. We had talked about that being a key of making sure that we're able to beat press coverage and winning on the outside. And they let him play. We have to understand that. I think that kind of got us going. Hit some other shots down the field. So not only did Will (Levis) get some good help, I thought that the opportunities to move the ball downfield were there and we hit them."
Levis completed 19 of his 29 attempts for 238 yards and the four scores.
Hopkins caught three of the touchdowns himself. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine hauled in the fourth score and paid tribute with the Funky Chicken dance celebration in the end zone while Oilers legend Billy "White Shoes" Johnson looked on. A team that looked fairly despondent heading into their Week 7 bye came out and showed as much fight as they have at any point in the last season and a half.
Levis' arm talent was on display throughout the course of this game.
The traits that saw many draft analysts project the former Kentucky quarterback as a potential first round pick shone on Sunday in Tim Kelly's offense. At least for this first start, it was clear Levis' touch on the ball had improved from the last time he saw any live-game action. The rookie played 30 snaps in the Tennessee's first preseason game before an injury during joint training camp practices shut him down for the final two.
Tannehill missed the start against the Falcons, recovering from a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
The veteran was in attendance for Sunday's game and worked with both of his young teammates on the sidelines. After the loss to Baltimore, Tannehill met with the media in the locker room on crutches. There was not so much as a brace on Tannehill's right ankle when he was spotted in the tunnel under Nissan Stadium following the Atlanta game.
In the first six games of the Titans 2023, Tannehill and the offense struggled mightily. The quarterback had only three total touchdowns on the year to six interceptions. Tennessee came into Week 8 tied for the 30th ranked red zone offense in the league (33.3%). Levis cashed in Tennessee's only red zone trip during the second quarter, but hit on explosive scores from 47, 61, and 33 yards out throughout the course of the day.
"I was up and down all the last couple of weeks," said Levis. "I think there were certain days where I was kind of feeling the butterflies a little bit. But really just confidence and just keeping that neutral headspace on everything. I didn't really have any of those feelings today, so that was good."
It would not be a Titans game without some form of controversy, and it arrived in the first half.
Coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that both Levis and second-year quarterback Malik Willis would play in the game. Willis entered on the fifth play of the Titans initial series and fumbled a high snap. Calais Campbell recovered for Atlanta at the Titans 28, but Tennessee's defensive front bailed them out and held the Falcons to a field goal to start the game.
Willis later entered in the first half while being loudly booed by the crowd before a designed quarterback run.
Titans players from Levis to Hopkins to running back Derrick Henry took exception with the crowd in that moment.
"Will (Levis) wasn't done," Henry said of the reaction. "I think Coach (Mike Vrabel) put it out there they both were going to play so I think everybody should have been anticipating that, either way it goes. I feel like on that play, it was a positive play and Malik (Willis) got what he could on that play.
"I just feel like there was no need of booing. Now, if we were getting whooped and they were just going crazy on us, we weren't doing anything, then I understand that. But we were winning before everything was positive."
Tennessee will have a short turnaround before a Thursday Night Football game in Pittsburgh to start a three-week road swing.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
