Things to watch in Week 11 for Tennessee’s week 11 matchup vs the Minnesota Vikings
The Titans are now 2-7 after a road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3). Last week, the Titans managed just 289 yards against a stiff Chargers defense despite earning 19 first downs and Will Levis not turning the ball over for the first full game in 2024. The run game was effective but seldom used, garnering only 21 carries and averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Levis, Pollard, Tyjae all went over 40 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. On a less than positive note the offensive line surrendered 7 sacks, and that will be a focal point coming into this week vs a Vikings defense that has 30 sacks in 9 games. In the passing game, Levis was ale to keep the hot streak alive for Ridley, targeting him 9 times and connecting for 5 catches 84 yards and 2 TDs.
On defense, the Titans were not able to sack Justin Herbert on any of his 24 dropbacks, despite registering 9 pressures on the day and narrowly missing a strip sack fumble by Big Jeff (Jeffery Simmons) that was later ruled an incompletion. Herbert was able to complete 14 passes for 164 yards and 2 TDs in one of his lower volume performances on the season. The Chargers controlled the line of scrimmage by committing to the run in a Greg Roman special, running for 145 yards on 39 carries. No ball carrier surpassed 55 yards and they were not effective on a per carry basis but they ESTABLISHED it, and won. Jack Gibbens led the team in tackles recording 15 and playing all 59 snaps on the day.
It was a winnable game, but the Chargers controlled the line of scrimmage and shortened the game, methodically inching their way to victory by keeping Will Levis out of rhythm and running the ball to minimize their risks.
Sunday’s Keys To Victory.
Fantasy Players to Watch
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis completed 18-of-23 ...
Tennessee Titans head coach Bill Callahan reiterated on ...
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) is ...
Levis impressing Callahan with command of offense.
Will Levis fell to the 2nd round of the NFL draft in 2023 after being nearly a consensus first round pick in 2022. Known for his statuesque prototypical build and athleticism at the University of Kentucky, real GMs and fantasy managers saw glimpses of what could be a poor mans Josh Allen, but those comparisons quieted after an up and down 2023. On Thursday during a media session new Titans head coach Brian Callahan was effusive in his praise of Levis work and growth to learn his system, noting that he was extremely sharp mentally and that he needed to continue “stacking days like yesterday” alluding to the fact that Levis had a good day and that would lead to him playing good football.
Levis walked into a nearly impossible situation to succeed with pro football focus’ worst rated offensive line and only DeAndre Hopkins and Tyjae Spears as viable receiving options in 2023 as a rookie. Although he had an impressive debut throwing 4 touchdowns, the season was very mercurial the rest of the way. Now that regime is gone, and the Titans have given him considerable upgrades in pass catchers in Ridley and Tyler Boyd while retaining the ever consistent Hopkins and explosive Spears, as well as signing veteran free agent Tony Pollard to share the backfield with Spears. If Levis is able to grasp the playbook and distribute the ball effectively to his combination of weapons in Callahan’s offense, he will outperform his current QB24 price tag on underdog and will be an excellent choice as a late round quarterback selection.
The Tennessee Titans have hired former Bengals OC, Brian Callahan, as their new Head Coach.
The Titans are making a clear effort to revitalize their offense, hiring Brian Callahan, who spent the past 5 years as the OC for the Cincinnati Bengals. While Zac Taylor has been the primary offensive play caller throughout that period, Callahan has been an integral part of designing the overall offense and game planning on a weekly basis. He’s now expected to be the primary play caller in Tennessee.
Callahan deserves credit for designing Quarterback friendly gameplans that put Jake Browning in a position to look good down the final stretch of the 2023 season. Fantasy Managers should be confident that Will Levis will have a better opportunity to be successful in 2024 with the hire of Callahan. His hiring also further enforces the notion that the Titans are rebranding their offense, and may be moving on from an attack that has been centered around Derrick Henry for the past several years.
Titans Head Coach, Mike Vrabel, announced that Will Levis will be the Titans starting Quarterback going forward, with the hope that Tannehill can return from his ankle injury this week to serve as backup.
Will Levis passed the eye test through two weeks and has earned the right to be the starter for the Titans. Vrabel made it clear during a press conference that the Titans believe Levis gives them the best chance to compete, and that Tannehill will be the backup when he returns from his ankle injury.
This is great news for fantasy football. Levis has arm talent that will elevate the production ceiling for pass catchers like DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks. Derrick Henry also stands to benefit from Defenses stacking the box less and finally starting to respect the Titans ability to pass.
Fantasy managers can safely drop Tannehill in any format that isn’t a deep superflex league. Levis is an intriguing add in single QB redraft leagues, as he has a fantasy friendly schedule the rest of the season.
Will Levis has earned starting QB duties in week 9 against the Steelers after his heroics in his first start last week.
Will Levis has silenced the haters and earned the Starting QB job in Tennessee while Tannehill is out. If Levis continues to shine, there’s no reason for the struggling Titans to not name him their starter for the rest of the season.
Levis is an intriguing play this week in Superflex leagues and even in daily drafts against an exploitable Steelers Defense. The Titans will still lean plenty on Derrick Henry, but DeAndre Hopkins looks like a favorite target for Levis and should be in your lineups this week in almost any format. Levis is a sneaky add in deeper 1QB leagues ahead of the Steelers game, as the buying window will be closed before you know it he can replicate his week 8 success tonight.
Will Levis will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Falcons after Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel announced Levis will be the primary QB if starter Ryan Tannehill is unable to play.
Welp, at least Mike Vrabel is making it crystal clear that Fantasy Managers should want no part of putting a Titans QB in their lineups this weekend. Many coaches have tried the “we’ll give both QBs some playing time” approach, with little success to this point. Tannehill suffered what sounds like a high ankle sprain, and should be expected to miss at least week 8.
With Tannehill expected to sit out, Vrabel’s comments indicate that Levis will get a majority of the snaps at QB, with Malik Willis set to mix in as well. Both QBs have been underwhelming and this is bad news for every fantasy relevant player on the Titans, Derrick Henry included. DeAndre Hopkins also takes a hit from being a fringe WR2, to now being a risky Flex option at best.
In almost any circumstance, Fantasy Managers should avoid putting Levis or Willis in lineups this week. The biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective is the Falcons Defense, who becomes a top streaming option in leagues that have a D/ST lineup slot. Fantasy Managers should do what they can to avoid Titans players against a tough Falcons Defense that is licking their chops at this matchup.
