The Tennessee Titans are committed to seeing it through with quarterback Will Levis. While he has some knucklehead moments that drive anyone crazy, Levis' high-end arm talent will enable him to rip off big plays that can make anyone think he is a franchise quarterback.
In Tennessee's game against Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings (which has been ruined by some truly mind-numbing officiating), Levis entered the middle of the third quarter just 8-15 for 92 yards. While not awful considering the level of competition, he did leave a bit of meat on the bone.
Levis decided to get it all back, and then some, with a bomb that became the best play of his young pro career. Backup up on third down from his own two-yard line, Levis uncorked a picture-perfect throw down the sideline to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine that ended in a 98-yard touchdown.
If the Titans were backed up just a few more yards closer to the goal-line Levis could have tied the unbreakable record for longest-play in NFL history at 99 yards. The Titans will settle for the touchdown, even if it was immediately canceled out by Darnold driving down the field and hitting Josh Oliver for a score that made it 23-10.
98-YARD TD! 😱😱 Will Levis takes a shot out of the end zone and it pays off for the @Titans!
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
📺: #MINvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/0o5Uj7RZ9q
Titans QB Will Levis hits Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for 98-yard touchdown
Levis was thrown right into the fire in his first games since coming back from an injury, as the Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers both have two of the best defenses in the league. Levis, who has underperformed mightilty when he is pressured, has thrown three touchdown passes against those two teams.
With the Titans likely headed for another Top 10 pick, this season will hinge entirely on finding out just how much potential Levis has. If the Titans are swayed by throws like that, they could eschew a quarterback and build around No. 8.
Plays like this are also what makes Levis such a frustrating evaluation. Right after holding the ball too long on a sack or missing an easy completion underneath, Levis and his big arm will drop a perfect 40-yard deep ball to a receiver in stride along the sideline. Where is that guy for most of the game?
The connection between Levis and Westbrook-Ikhine, who keeps scoring, could be one positive takeaway from this game. Even if the wins don't come, Levis keeps showing his high-end potential with throws like that.