NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans’ rookie quarterback Will Levis shone in his first NFL start last Sunday, throwing three touchdown passes to DeAndre Hopkins in their game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Levis cleverly deployed a pump fake, leading Falcons safety Richie Grant astray and enabling Hopkins to get past him. Hopkins comfortably caught the pass and zoomed into the touchdown, making the score 21-9 with 1:37 left in the third quarter.
Impressive performance by Will Levis wearing the Oilers throwbacks
📺: #ATLvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/3yvq3hfFec
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
With 5:27 remaining in the second quarter, Levis spotted Hopkins up against Falcons linebacker Nate Landman. He promptly threw a precise pass that Hopkins caught seamlessly before advancing to the touchdown for a 16-yard TD, giving the Titans a 14-3 lead.
Levis first touchdown pass to Hopkins was a 47-yard beauty late in the first quarter that gave the Titans a 7-3 lead. The pass reached Hopkins just as he and Falcons corner back A.J. Terrell tangled, allowing Hopkins to escape and catch the pass. Despite Terrell’s appeals for an offensive pass interference penalty, it was not awarded.
It was Hopkins’ first touchdown with the Titans and Levis’ first professional touchdown. Subbing in for the injured quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is nursing a high ankle sprain, was Levis.
Levis joins Marcus Mariota, who made four touchdowns against the Buccaneers in 2015, as the second Titan with three passing touchdowns in their debut career game.
Hopkins ended a 9-game touchdown drought and became the first Titan since Kenny Britt in 2010 to score three receiving touchdowns in a single match.
First NFL TD for Will Levis, a fantastic long toss to Hopkins! 🎯 @will_levis
📺: #ATLvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/bJcS7l7lfb
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
