Titans' encouraging win vs. Texans should lock Will Levis in as 2025 QB1

The Tennessee Titans captured an incredibly important victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, winning 32-27 at NRG Stadium. To those familiar with the Titans' ownership structure, winning in Houston, where the Adams family founded the Oilers in the 1960s, simply means that much more because they felt forced to abandon their hometown in search of greener pastures.

The source of that joy Amy Adams Strunk and Co. felt on Sunday was delivered by sophomore quarterback Will Levis, who is looking more and more like he should be Tennessee's starter in 2025.

Let's acknowledge the obvious. Levis was sacked on eight occasions versus the Texans. Analysis indicates the former Kentucky standout was at fault for more than 50 percent of those, due to poor pocket presence and a penchant to escape pockets into the waiting arms of defenders. Levis has been sacked 20 times in his last three starts. He's the first quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger (the Oilers days!) to suffer 20 sacks in a three-game span while still managing a 105-or-better passer rating, per NFL Pro.

Levis also threw his league-leading third pick-six of the campaign, a one-read error that awarded the Texans a 24-23 lead, instead of seeing Tennessee extend their then-advantage to two possessions. That folks, is the complete Will Levis experience. Well, almost.

Levis flashed legitimate growth as a quarterback for the third consecutive week. That's also the Levis experience, one that's proving it deserves an extended look into 2025 and perhaps beyond.

Don't look now, but Tennessee's offense is generating explosives. Levis, now showing a willingness to attempt deep-ball throws that were sorely lacking throughout the early portion of the season, has been the creator of six explosive passing plays (20-plus yards) over the previous two weeks, including this 63-yard moon ball to Calvin Ridley on third-and-long.

All in all, Levis completed 18 of 24 passing attempts for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and the aforementioned pick six. He completed 75-plus percent of his passes for the second time in three starts, and also enjoyed his second multi-TD performance over that post-injury stretch. Levis' recent growth has been undeniable.

Levis remains an occasionally frustrating quarterback, but one who's showing more resolve and the toughness required to battle through adversity. When Levis is spearheading 30-plus-point performances and generating explosive plays, he looks like a quarterback with real long-term starting potential, one worth enduring the boneheaded lapses in judgment.

And oh, winning in Houston helps his chances of sticking around.