The Tennessee Titans finally got their first victory of the 2024 campaign in Week 4, defeating the Miami Dolphins on "Monday Night Football" by a score of 31-12.
Not only was it the first win of head coach Brian Callahan's tenure, the Titans also dropped 30 points on the Dolphins, marking the first time Tennessee has scored 30 or more points in over 1,000 days. Interestingly enough, the last time the Titans did that was against the Dolphins in Week 17 of the 2021 season.
The Titans accomplished that feat without Will Levis under center. The second-year signal-caller suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter that knocked him out of the game, leading to Mason Rudolph getting the nod.
Despite the win with Rudolph under center, the Titans are sticking with Levis if he's healthy enough to play coming out of the bye.
"If Will's healthy, he's our quarterback," Callahan said. "It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him... he's our starter and when he's healthy, we are ready to roll with him."
Now that the Titans have their first win, they are no longer in the cellar of the NFL Power Rankings of experts. Making that more sweet, Tennessee climbed over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are now at the bottom of rankings after their 0-4 start.
NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Tennessee Titans
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 31 (+1)
Iyer: "The Titans get a win and a bye after seeing their offense and defense finally come together in Miami on Monday night. Now the question is whether they will stick with Mason Rudolph at QB regardless of the post-bye injury status of Will Levis."
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 31 (+2)
Davis: "Sometimes an offense runs better with an experienced backup – and QB1 Will Levis might benefit from some time to heal and watching Mason Rudolph execute HC Brian Callahan's attack."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 27 (+5)
Prisco: "They head to their bye off their first victory. But they do so with a potential quarterback controversy looming with Will Levis banged up and Mason Rudolph taking care of the football when he took over against Miami."
NFL Nation, ESPN: 29 (+3)
Turron Davenport: "The Titans' defense didn't force a turnover until Monday night's win in Miami and have only forced one this season. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson brought an extreme focus on takeaways with him when he took the job. As secondary coach, Wilson's units helped the Bears tie for second with 18 interceptions last season and the Eagles tie for third with 17 in 2022. Usually, teams produce what they emphasize. Wilson preaches 'attacking the ball with aggressiveness' and "populating to the football." But that hasn't happened so far. Tennessee's defense is last in the NFL with a minus-8 turnover ratio."
Bleacher Report: 30 (+2)
Bleacher Report: "From a quick glance at the scoreboard, one might think Levis had turned things around. But he had little to do with Tennessee's win—after throwing yet another interception, he hurt his shoulder in the first quarter and was replaced by Mason Rudolph. Levis' saving grace is likely twofold. First, with the Titans on a Week 5 bye, he'll have an extra week to heal up. Second, it's not like Rudolph played well—he completed nine of 17 passes for 85 yards. So, fans who had clamored for a change under center may be reconsidering that notion. But the Titans at least head into their off week with a first win of 2024."
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 30 (+2)
Cluff: "The Titans got their first win of the season and had to do it mainly without Will Levis, who exited with a shoulder injury."
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 26 (+5)
Florio: "Will Levis saved Brian Callahan from having to bench him."
