The Tennessee Titans snapped their two-game losing streak following the bye week with a 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. The Titans are now 6-0 after bye weeks under head coach Mike Vrabel.
But the biggest thing to come from Tennessee’s third win of the season was the performance of quarterback Will Levis, who was absolutely sensational in his NFL debut.
Levis looked like anything but a rookie in his first game, completing 19-of-29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns, including three scores of 30-plus yards. Levis didn’t turn the ball over, either.
Not even the most optimistic Titans fans could have envisioned how good Levis looked.
The Falcons didn’t go quietly, though, with Taylor Heinicke providing a big spark for the Falcons in the second half after relieving Desmond Ridder. But the Falcons failed to capitalize on a potential game-winning drive late, which sealed the victory for Tennessee.
We’ll dive deeper into Levis’ showing in the instant analysis section below, along with everything else we know from Tennessee’s Week 8 win over the Falcons.
Final score: Titans 28, Falcons 23
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| ATL | 3 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 23 |
| TEN | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Titans' top performers
QB Will Levis: 19-29, 238 YDS, 4 TDs; 4 CAR, 14 YDS
WR DeAndre Hopkins: 4 REC, 128 YDS, 2 TDs
RB Derrick Henry: 22 CAR, 101 YDS; 4 REC, 21 YDS
DL Jeffery Simmons: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, FF
Instant analysis: Offense
-Levis was fantastic in this game. He showed great command of the offense and even changed up plays at the line of scrimmage, at least a few times. He also showed excellent poise in the pocket and accuracy on his throws and was able to connect on three touchdowns of 30-plus yards. The rookie certainly wasn’t afraid to air it out, and he had success doing it. After Sunday’s performance, this is Will Levis’ team moving forward.
-DeAndre Hopkins had his best game as a Titan, reeling in three of Levis’ four touchdown passes, including scores of 47, 16 and 61.
-Malik Willis barely saw any action, but he did take the field on Tennessee’s first offensive series and lost a fumble on a bad snap.
-The Titans’ offensive line was very good in this game, both in pass-blocking and run-blocking. Levis had plenty of time to throw and was only sacked twice. The Titans also tallied 149 yards on 36 carries (4.1 yards per carry). Chris Hubbard exited early with a concussion and the Titans decided to put Andre Dillard in at left tackle and moved Nicholas Petit-Frere to left tackle. Dillard didn’t have any major hiccups to speak of.
-With room to run, Derrick Henry had a strong game, with 22 carries for 101 yards. He also added four receptions for 21 yards.
-Chig Okonkwo had another terrible drop that thwarted what would have been a big play.
Instant analysis: Defense
-Tennessee’s defense was absolutely dominant in the first half, with Jeffery Simmons and the pass-rush leading the way and holding Atlanta to just three points despite some drives getting into Titans territory.
-The defense did a 180 in the second half and the pass-rush wasn’t as effective, which led to the secondary getting exposed and the Falcons making this a game. Thankfully, Tennessee’s defense was able to make a stop late in the fourth quarter with the Falcons having an opportunity to take the lead.
-The Titans’ run defense struggled once again and allowed a team to rush for 100 yards for a third-straight game. The Falcons finished with 140 yards on 26 carries (5.4 yards per carry).
Instant analysis: Special teams
-Eric Garror served as the punt returner. He did have a good return negated by a Monty Rice penalty. Garror totaled five returns for 32 yards (6.4 yards per), with a long of 15.
-Nick Folk did not attempt a single field goal but made all four of his extra points.
-Ryan Stonehouse had another solid day. He averaged 52.5 yards per punt and hit a long of 72. However, he’s still got work to do when it comes to angling his punts.
Injuries
RT Chris Hubbard (concussion): Hubbard was ruled out after exiting in the second quarter. The Titans moved Nicholas Petit-Frere to right tackle and inserted Andre Dillard at left tackle.
LB Joe Jones (hamstring): Jones was ruled out after leaving with a hamstring injury in the first half.
Titans highlights
Sneaky sneaky @amanihooker37
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/6BUjoErRsN
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
Need a last minute Halloween costume? Dress up as @GrindSimmons94 and scare some QBs
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/tgJfyGouAI
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
First NFL TD pass for @will_levis and first Titans TD catch for @DeAndreHopkins!
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/rya3lHnon2
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
What's better than one @DeAndreHopkins touchdown? Two @DeAndreHopkins touchdowns!
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/L3OZatkEty
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
HOPTOBER
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/IvTtbjgdkV
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
FOURTH TD OF THE DAY @will_levis
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Lp2xarvRDA
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023
What's next?
The Titans move to 3-4 on the season and have a matchup against the Steelers in Pittsburgh next week. It remains to be seen if the Titans will make any moves at the trade deadline, but reports suggest that’s unlikely.
