In a stunning turn of events on Oilers/Titans Alumni Weekend, the Tennessee Titans secured a thrilling 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The talk of the town? Rookie quarterback Will Levis, who made his first career NFL start and lit up the field with a dazzling performance.
“It was a lot of fun,” Levis said, reflecting on his remarkable debut. He finished the game with impressive stats, completing 19 of 29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns, earning a remarkable 130.5 passer rating. “Like I’ve been saying: This is the game I love, and there’s nothing better than winning a football game.”
Donning the classic Oilers throwback uniforms, the Titans entered the game amid a backdrop of changes, including the trade of veteran safety Kevin Byard and the absence of starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill due to an ankle injury. Despite these challenges, the Titans showcased one of their most exciting games of the season, led by the young rookie quarterback and a relentless defense.
With this win, the Titans improved their season record to 3-4, proving their resilience and determination on the field. Running back Derrick Henry commented on Levis’ performance, saying, “He was ballin’, huh? He was playing out of his mind. It was good to see, because he works so hard. I could tell he was locked in, and we were excited to see it come together for him and the offense.”
Levis connected with receiver DeAndre Hopkins for three impressive touchdown passes, covering 61, 16, and 47 yards. He also sealed the victory with a late touchdown throw to receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Levis made history by becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to throw four touchdown passes in his NFL debut, joining the ranks of legends like Fran Tarkenton and Marcus Mariota.
DeAndre Hopkins, who had an outstanding game with four catches for 128 yards, commended Levis, saying, “He’s a very talented quarterback, confident. He plays the game like he’s been here. [Offensive Coordinator] Tim Kelly and those guys did a great job getting him prepared today.”
The game began with the Falcons taking an early 3-0 lead, but Levis quickly responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Hopkins, energizing the Nissan Stadium crowd. Levis demonstrated his prowess throughout the game, maintaining an aggressive approach with deep shots.
In the second quarter, Levis and Hopkins combined once more for a 16-yard touchdown pass, solidifying the Titans’ 14-3 lead. The Titans maintained their momentum, dominating the first half.
The Falcons attempted to close the gap at the start of the second half with two field goals by Younghoe Koo, but Levis continued to shine. He connected with Hopkins for another remarkable touchdown, this time covering 47 yards and extending the Titans’ lead to 21-9.
Despite a quick response from the Falcons, narrowing the margin to 21-16, Levis and the Titans remained undeterred. Levis found Westbrook-Ikhine for a 33-yard touchdown, securing a 28-16 lead with 6:59 left on the clock.
In the final minutes of the game, the Falcons mounted a comeback, closing the score to 28-23, but the Titans held on to claim the victory.
Derrick Henry finished the game with 101 rushing yards on 22 carries, contributing significantly to the Titans’ success. The Titans’ defense was relentless, sacking Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder five times in the first half, accumulating a total of six sacks throughout the game. Jeffery Simmons recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, while Harold Landry added two sacks to the mix.
“I felt like every time somebody made a play,” Landry commented, “the whole team was feeding off of it. And that’s how it’s got to be, for real, for real. We know how good we are up front, and we just have to go out there and cut it loose.”
Titans Coach Mike Vrabel expressed his excitement after the game, highlighting the potential for future success. “I think you can build off a win,” he said. The Titans face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, and the challenge of winning on a short week is on the horizon. But the Titans have shown that they have what it takes to emerge victorious, and the future looks promising.
In this electrifying game featuring rookie sensation Will Levis, the Titans made a powerful statement, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. The Oilers throwback uniforms brought nostalgia and inspiration, and the Titans embraced the moment, emerging triumphant in a game filled with excitement and highlights.
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