Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers 

The Thursday Night Football game for Week 9 has lots going on. On the Tennessee side of things, the Titans look almost certain to start Will Levis (248-4-0, 7-11) again in this game after head coach Mike Vrabel gave an update on Ryan Tannehill’s health – indicating he has yet to return to any activity. 

Levis was brilliant in his first start against the Falcons. He averaged 8.2 yards per attempt, had a 66% completion rate, and made a couple of hyper-difficult throws which showcased his above-average arm strength and athletic ability.

We can poke holes in Levis’ performance if we want as he got insanely lucky on his first TD pass – it was OPI – and threw a few balls behind his receivers but, overall, this was as impressive a debut as you could have hoped for. 

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) celebrates on the field after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

This week things only get tougher. Pittsburgh ranks 8th in pressure rate and has one of the league’s best disruptor combos in TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. But teams who have been able to slow Pittsburgh’s rush down have had success against them. The Jaguars utilized quick passes in the screen game to rack up 292 passing yards (Travis Etienne went for 3-70 yards as a receiver). Another rookie QB, CJ Stroud, was inefficient but posted 306 yards and 2 TDs in Houston’s 30-6 win over the Steelers. 

Levis has the arm strength and a pair of RBs in Derrick Henry and Tajae Spears to potentially make the Steelers pay should they get too blitz-happy. There is also the DeAndre Hopkins factor who will be going up against an uninspiring secondary that has allowed the sixth most fantasy points and most yards against to opposing WRs this year. Hopkins (4-128-3) looked fantastic with Levis last week, converting two long catches into TDs and should be revitalized by having a QB at the helm who can throw down field. 

The Steelers will need to get the best of Levis as their offense is not likely to save them. Matt Canada’s offense has put up 17 or fewer points now in three of its last four games and looked completely mystified again as to how to gain first downs against what is only a middling Jacksonville secondary. Najee Harris (7-13, 5-42) was completely stuffed at the line of scrimmage last week and Tennessee won’t provide any relief for the beleaguered RB as they rank 11th in yards per carry against (3.8). 

That means that either a banged-up Kenny Pickett (ribs - questionable) or the very mistake-prone Mitchell Trubsiky (138-1-2) will have to save them.

If it is Trubisky at QB you can likely kiss a big day for George Pickens (1-22-1) goodbye. Diontae Johnson (14 targets, 8-85) was clearly Trubisky’s favorite last week and his ability to get open fast will make him popular for a one-read QB like Trubiksy, especially with a stout defensive line like Tennessee’s breathing down his neck.

The Steelers are likely going to need Trubisky to either step up or dial up some really creative screen plays to Harris and Jaylen Warren to move the ball.

It could happen, but it really does feel like the Titans are in a good spot here. Their offense got a much-needed injection of momentum last week and their defense lines up well against a Steelers offense that wants to run the ball but doesn’t have the personnel to do so effectively.  

I’m surprised this line is still at Titans +3.0 and I think it will close closer to Titans +1.5 if I had to guess. Mike Vrabel is now 29-19-1 ATS for his career as an underdog and it doesn’t appear like the public is willing to give Levis much respect at the moment. It’s a good time to stay on the Titans and back them with a field goal cushion.