Titans Leave TNF with a Loss, and a Quarterback

In the best Thursday Night Football game so far this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers outlasted the Tennessee Titans 20-16.

Will Levis completed 22/39 passes for 262 yards, threw no touchdowns and a game sealing pick that came from desperation. Pickett was 19/30 for 160, with and the game winning touchdown to Diontae Johnson, but the boxscore doesn’t tell the whole story.

The story of the game was the inspiring performance of Levis, who looked impressive again after exploding for four touchdowns in a win last week against Atlanta. The Steelers leave with a victory, but the Titans leave with a quarterback who looks more ready for the NFL.

While Pickett consistently overthrew receivers, Levis made great throws that haven’t been made in a Titans uniform for a long time.

His first special throw came after the Titans started their second drive with two consecutive offensive holding penalties pushing them to just past their own five yard line. From the Titan end zone, Levis delivered a strike over the middle to Deandre Hopkins just over the linebacker, giving him room to complete a 29 yard pickup.

Next play, Westbrook-Ikhine is penalized for a false start. On 1st and 15 linebacker Alex Highsmith out muscles the tackle, getting an arm on Levis who is able to avoid a potential sack by dumping it off to Kyle Philips for an 11 yard gain. Levis made a positive play after being under extreme pressure.

On the first play of their third drive, Levis ran a play-action throwing a dart to an open Hopkins on a comeback to get a first down. He read the defense, saw Hopkins was open and put the ball on him allowing him to run around the defender for bonus yards.

Same drive. Levis calmly maneuvered in the pocket avoiding a sack from Keeanu Benton diving at his legs by throwing in motion to hit an open Westbrook-Ikhine, moving the chains.

The feet show what the eyes see. Levis’ feet aren’t moving too much like other overwhelmed young quarterbacks. He demonstrates a calmness, processing the game quickly.

Mike Vrabel hasn’t had a quarterback like this in his tenure, and Tennessee hasn’t had a quarterback who can make these throws since maybe Steve McNair. Levis looks like he has the confidence and the arm talent to make throwing a featured part of the offense.

On a 3rd and three, Levis alertly recognizes the Steelers have too many people on the field and quickly calls a play. Although the Steeler defender just got off, Levis showed veteran awareness and threw a quick pass to Hopkins who was open in motion. If Hopkins didn’t slip, it would have been a bigger gain. Derrick Henry finished the drive with a touchdown, running on five of the next seven plays.

With the first half coming to a close, Levis dropped back and made a layered throw over a linebacker and under Patrick Peterson in the secondary, ensuring that only Philips could catch the ball on a 24 yard gain.

Next play, from Pittsburgh’s 40 yard line, Levis felt the pocket collapsing and threw Philips open leading him out of bounds. Back to back dimes from Levis, this time for 21 yards.

In the third quarter, Levis is swallowed immediately on a 2nd and four play-action but he somehow gets a throw off to Henry who bobbles it and takes it 23 yards into field goal range. The play should have ended with a sack, but instead Levis beat the pressure making the right throw to Henry who got them a first down.

In the fourth quarter, with the Steelers crowd trying to put the pressure on Levis and the Titans offense on their own eight yard line, he throws a beautiful ball on a play-action to Treylon Burks over two defenders for a quick 21 yard gain.

He quieted the crowd in an instant. I can’t remembering that ever happening before for the Titans. Maybe when the Kansas City Chiefs choked away a 21-3 lead in a 2018 Wild Card game ignited by Mariota throwing a touchdown to himself.

Late in the 4th quarter trailing by four, after questionable run heavy play calling, Levis went for a home run to Burks making a perfect throw that he dropped. The throw was perfect, nestled in Burks hands who couldn’t hold it on his way to the ground.

Burks injured himself on the play, laying motionless following the incompletion and had to leave in an ambulance. Thankfully he is reportedly alert and moving.

The Titans young quarterback didn’t throw for a touchdown or even win the game, but he showed his franchise why they were wise to spend a second round pick on him in last year’s draft.

Levis has great arm talent and a veteran calm composure that prevents him from panicking. The head on his shoulders gives him the chance to make good throws and march down the field. He processes pressure better than any other quarterback on the roster and needs to be the indefinite starter.

Levis is going to make a name for himself. He had some young mistakes on a couple sacks, including almost fumbling as he was taken down, but he makes beautiful throws that are difficult to make.

It’s ok. Let Levis make some mistakes. He’s already shown so much promise, the Titans would be foolish to not let him play the rest of the way so he can get growing pains out of the way for next season.

Even though the Titans loss likely turned their playoff dreams into a nightmare, “Billy Jeans” offers a hope for the future of a franchise that hasn’t been able to find consistent quarterback play.