Titans rookie Will Levis throws 4 TD passes in first start

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans witnessed a glimpse of their promising future on Sunday, as rookie sensation Will Levis delivered a commanding performance in his debut start as quarterback.

Levis showcased his talent by completing 19 out of 29 pass attempts, accumulating an impressive total of 238 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those remarkable touchdowns were precisely connected to DeAndre Hopkins, propelling the Titans to a well-deserved 28-23 triumph over the Atlanta Falcons.

Notably, Levis now shares a prominent place in NFL history alongside renowned quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton (1961 vs. Bears) and Marcus Mariota (2015 vs. the Buccaneers) as the third player to achieve four passing touchdowns in their first ever professional game.

The first touchdown was an exceptional 47-yard strike to Hopkins in the opening quarter. The second touchdown saw a flawless 16-yard pass hit Hopkins in stride, enabling his swift journey to the end zone. Levis sealed this triumphant connection by executing a remarkable pump fake that moved Falcons safety Richie Grant out of position, enabling Levis to effortlessly hit Hopkins for an awe-inspiring 61-yard score.

Levis demonstrated impeccable accuracy once again with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, even while facing immense pressure from two approaching Falcons pass rushers. The pass floated gracefully, allowing Westbrook-Ikhine to reach it and secure the touchdown.

Despite facing collapsing pockets, Levis displayed remarkable composure throughout the game. The Titans even implemented a variation of the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Brotherly Shove” sneak play, effectively resulting in Levis gaining two crucial first downs.

It is worth noting that the Titans made a strategic move during this year’s draft, trading their 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for moving up from No. 41 overall to No. 33 overall. This tactical maneuver allowed them to secure the exceptional talent of Levis as the second pick in the second round.