After falling just short in another close game, do the Titans have anything meaningful to play in 2023 or is it game over in Nashville? At 3-5, it may not be time to turn the console yet, but Tennessee is certainly down to their last life. There is a 1UP to be found in Jacksonville, but Will Levis will have to dodge all of the goombas and koopa troopas in Tampa Bay on his way to Jacksonville.
Let The Mayo Flow
When Will Levis was forced into a starting role against Atlanta, the expectation was that he would likely be a game manager & the team would lean on Henry and Spears in a rush-heavy gameplan. After putting up 238 yards, a 130.5 rating, 4 TDs, and securing a Player of the Week award, expectations changed. After another respectable performance in a 4-point loss in Pittsburgh, Levis secured the full-time starting position. Now, he is leading the team on the road in a must-win game against the Buccaneers.
Reasons For Optimism
Will Levis has shown accuracy and fearlessness when going deep down the field. Meanwhile, Tampa has 3 DBs on the injury report and has allowed the 5th most passing yards in 2023. On the other side of the ball, Tennessee’s rush defense has quickly gone from historically great to embarrassingly bad. Over the last 4 games, they have allowed an average of 160 rushing yards per game. The Buccaneers have accrued the 2nd fewest rushing yards in the league, and have the lowest per carry average in 2023 (3.1 yards per attempt). All of this adds up to a potential get-right game for the Titans.
Reasons For Concern
Not only do you have a rookie quarterback making his 3rd start of his career on the road, but Levis will be making this start without his #2 wideout. Add in the fact that TE Chig Okonkwo is continuing to struggle with dropping passes and you have a very limited capacity to take advantage of a struggling Tampa Bay secondary. The team had scheduled a workout with WR Martavis Bryant to give Levis more options, but the Dallas Cowboys signed him before he made it to Nashville.
Predictions
The Tennessee Titans will find a flower power on their way through Tampa as Will Levis and Jeffrey Simmons both have get-right games. The result will be slide down the flag pole with a 31-20 win on their way to Bowser’s castle in Week 11.
