Titan Up-Titan Down: 3 Biggest Winners & Losers from Week 8 Win Over Atlanta Falcons
The Tennessee Titans got a 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. it was a huge win for regaining momentum this season, but in even better news, it looks like Will Levis could be the answer at quarterback for the Titans.
With that, Levis is obviously one of the biggest winners of the week, but he isn't alone. There were others who deserve their recognitions, and some who will be recognized for reasons they may not enjoy. Let's get into Titan Up, Titan Down.
Titan Up
Will Levis
Where else would we start? Levis threw for 238 yards while completing 19 of his 29 passes, four of which went for scores. Not only scores, but some absolute rockets Levis uncorked. The rookie looked composed and calm.
More than a great performance though, this showed that Levis should be the team's starting quarterback going forward. It is obvious that is what is best for the future and the present. After being inactive six weeks, Levis should never see the pine again if healthy.
DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins caught three of those touchdowns. Two deep balls of 47 yards and 61 yards for six and then a short crossing route for a 16-yard score. Hopkins has made a major impact, not only on this game, but the season. He finished with four catches for 128 yards.
Hopkins once again reminds us he is still a premium receiver in the NFL and, when given the chance, can dominate a game. Hopkins referenced a Geno Smith line after the game to let folks know he knows they wrote him off.
Jeffery Simmons
Simmons had gone quiet over the last few games. Well, quiet for Jeffery Simmons' standards, but he erupted in this one. Simmons had two sacks and forced a fumble alone with six tackles on the day.
The plays that don't show up in the box score are just as important. Simmons routinely pushed his man back to disrupt runs plays or occupied offensive linemen to free his teammates to rush. A monster day from the Titans' best defensive player.
Titan Down
Ryan Tannehill
It is certainly a veteran player's worst nightmare, getting injured and watching your spot be taken by a younger player, but that's exactly what happened to Ryan Tannehill on Sunday.
Levis showed he is, at minimum, equal to Tannehill and possibly better already. Even if the Titans think Levis isn't as good as Tannehill, the importance Levis plays to the future of the team should make him the starter going forward.
Malik Willis
Well, the fanbase certainly let the Titans know how they feel during Sunday's game, booing anytime Willis came on the field. That isn't necessarily directed at Willis, but more on that in a minute. For Willis, this is the end of a dream.
Levis' ascension and clearly superior play like end any talk of Willis being the franchise quarterback for the Titans. Something Willis certainly had to hope for the moment he was selected. Willis should get an opportunity elsewhere next year.
Mike Vrabel's Two Quarterback Plan
Willis took the public shaming with the boo birds, but Vrabel is the one the boos were really at and he deserved them. Vrabel's suggestion that he would rotate quarterbacks seemed like mere gamesmanship during the week because actually doing it was something you wouldn't think he would be crazy enough to actually do.
Well, he was. It resulted in a fumble immediately. Yes, it was a bad snap, yes Willis could have caught it or jumped on it, but putting your team in that situation is ridiculous. Rotating quarterbacks is a peewee-level gimmick and Vrabel should be embarrassed he was so bold to think he could make it work.
Related Titans-Falcons stories
- WEEK 8 PHOTO GALLERY: The Tennessee Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons 28-23 on Sunday, with rookie quarterback Will Levis throwing four touchdown passes in his NFL debut. Our photographers had a great day, too. Here are 20 images from the game at Nissan Stadium. CLICK HERE
- WEEK 8 DRIVE CHART: The Tennessee Titans were led by rookie quarterback Will Levis on Sunday and beat the Atlanta Falcons 28-23. Levis had an incredible debut and here is a recap of what happened on every offensive drive. CLICK HERE
- SEE LEVIS THIRD TD PASS: The Tennessee Titans took a 21-9 lead on the Atlanta Falcons on Will Levis' third touchdown of the day as he connected with DeAndre Hopkins for a third time. CLICK HERE
- LEVIS HITS HOPKINS AGAIN: The Tennessee Titans head into halftime with a 14-3 lead over the Atlanta Falcons and rookie quarterback Will Levis has played well. He hit DeAndre Hopkins in the red zone for the pair's second scoring play of the day. CLICK HERE
- SEE MALIK WILLIS FUMBLE: The Tennessee Titans have kicked off their Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and on Malik Willis' very first snap of the game there was a fumble that led to three points for the Falcons. CLICK HERE
- WILL LEVIS FIRST TOUCHDOWN: The Tennessee Titans took the lead on a huge pass from rookie quarterback Will Levis to DeAndre Hopkins that went for a 47-yard touchdown. It was Levis' first career passing touchdown. CLICK HERE
