šŸˆ Best Rookie Debut Ever?

Fresh off an unbelievable debut vs. Atlanta, rookie QB Will Levis will enter Heinz Field hoping to lead the Titans to another W vs. the injury-depleted Steelers. Can the rook get the job done yet again? Or will Tomlin do Tomlin things and keep his streak alive? šŸ’Ŗ (2 min read)

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Best Debut Ever?

As ridiculous as the question seems, it needs to be asked ā€” did rookie QB Will Levis just have the greatest debut performance in NFL history? While other standout performances like Cam Newtonā€™s magical 2011 debut come to mind, Levisā€™ outing certainly put him in some rarified air. With struggling starting QB Ryan Tannehill injured, the rook more than stepped up to the plate, immediately invigorating whatā€™s been a middling offense at best this season āš”ļø

  • Levis threw for a staggering 238 yards and four touchdowns, including three to star offseason acquisition DeAndre Hopkins

  • He showed off the rocket arm that made him a first-round prospect before a surprising draft day tumble. Watch this if you missed it

The rookie will have his work cut out for him vs. a tough Pittsburgh defense led by the elite T.J. Watt. The Steelers will come out hungry following a tough home loss to Jacksonville, in which starting QB Kenny Pickett sustained a rib injury. Pickett will be a game-time decision tonight (says heā€™s playing), but Mike Tomlinā€™s squad has shown the resilience to pull out surprising wins in the face of injuries or talent deficits šŸ˜¤

  • Spread: Steelers -2.5

  • Moneyline: Steelers -154, Titans +130

  • Over/Under: 36.5

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Barely Scraping By

The Steelersā€™ 4-3 record is fairly deceiving, as their -34 point differential is good for ninth worst in the league. The offense has looked uninspiring to say the least, as evidenced by Pittsburgh fansā€™ much-publicized distaste for OC Matt Canada šŸ’€

If Pickett is out tonight, the Steelers will likely struggle even more than usual to rack up points, as backup QB Mitch Trubisky underwhelmed in his stint last week šŸ˜¬

  • Defense is Pittsburghā€™s calling card, but they will be hampered on that end as well with star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick out

  • Given their residence in perhaps the leagueā€™s most competitive division, the Steelers desperately need a win vs. Tennessee. If they fall again with either Pickett or Trubisky under center, Tomlinā€™s historic streak could be on pace to finally come to an end

Itā€™s evident that the Titans are the squad riding into this matchup with all of the momentum. Beyond his overall electric play in his debut, Levis established a clear connection with Hopkins, the legitimate No. 1 receiver that Tennessee has been sorely lacking since the A.J. Brown trade. If the Hopkins rejuvenation continues, it has the potential to revitalize an offense averaging only 18.9 PPGĀ šŸ“ˆ

  • Levis gives the Titans their most exciting QB prospect since Marcus Mariota, who seemed like a franchise mainstay but quickly flamed out

  • Regardless of Tannehillā€™s injury status moving forward, itā€™s clear that the 35-year-oldā€™s status as the Titansā€™ obvious starter is over. Beyond Levisā€™ eye-popping arm talent, the rookie QB is already gaining the respect of the locker room with his leadership

Who wins tonight?

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Trivia Question: Will Levisā€™ televised draft day slide to 33rd overall was an unfortunately viral moment for the expected first rounder ā€” can you name all of the QBs who were selected ahead of Levis in the first round of the 2023 Draft?

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

Maybe Iā€™m buying into the historic debut a bit too much, but I really like the Titans in this one. Given Pittsburghā€™s major injury troubles and general offensive malaise, I like Levis to lead Tennessee to a second straight win. Letā€™s ride šŸ‘‡

  • Titans +2.5 @ Steelers: -105

  • DeAndre Hopkins Anytime Touchdown Scorer: +200

$100 on this bet would win you $344 ā€” if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win šŸ˜‰

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Trivia Answer: There werenā€™t too many QBs taken ahead of Levis and they were all gone in the first four picks ā€” Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson

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