The Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers will start Week 9 off on Thursday night when the two teams meet at Acrisure Stadium.
Tennessee is coming off a massive win in Week 8 that improved their record to 3-4. More importantly, the victory injected some hope into both the team’s 2023 season and future after rookie signal-caller Will Levis had a historically good debut.
Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill has not been ruled out for this game, but that is the expectation, which means Levis will get his second start in as many weeks.
Meanwhile, the Steelers enter this game off a 20-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game that saw starting quarterback Kenny Pickett suffer a rib injury that leaves his status for Week 9 in doubt.
As is the case every week, the Titans have no shortage of questions to answer going into a game. Here are seven for the Week 9 contest against the Steelers.
Can Titans end their road woes?
After a thrilling Week 8 win at home, the Titans hit the road for three straight, which is particularly concerning when you consider Tennessee is a dreadful 0-3 on the road, and 0-4 overall away from Nissan Stadium when you include the London game.
While winning a primetime game on a Thursday night in Pittsburgh is never easy, the Steelers haven’t exactly been unbeatable at home and sport a 2-2 record at Acrisure Stadium.
If the Titans are going to get their season back on track, they must emerge from this road trip with at least a winning record.
Can Will Levis stack good games?
With Ryan Tannehill not expected to play in Week 9, the Titans will be handing the ball to rookie quarterback Will Levis once again.
Levis has no doubt injected hope into this season and the future of the franchise, but he’s got to stack good games before we can get really excited. He’ll have a tough test on Thursday night against a good Steelers defense.
Will Chris Hubbard play?
Starting right tackle Chris Hubbard exited the Week 8 game early because of a concussion and it’ll be a tall task getting cleared from the concussion protocol on a short week.
If he sits, chances are the Titans will do what they did on Sunday, which was to slide Nicholas Petit-Frere to right tackle and insert Andre Dillard at left tackle.
Dillard was good in Week 8, but he has struggled overall this season, which led to his benching in Week 6.
Can Titans keep T.J. Watt in check?
No matter who is starting upfront for the Titans, the primary goal for the offensive line remains the same: don’t let superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt wreck this game.
If Watt goes off, Levis and the Titans’ offense is going to have one hell of a tough time scoring points.
Which version of Titans' defense will show up?
It was a tale of two halves for the Titans’ defense in Week 8.
In the first half, Tennessee dominated with a relentless pass-rush led by a sensational effort from defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who looked like himself for the first time in weeks.
In the second half, the pass-rush wasn’t as effective, which allowed the Falcons to move the ball down the field with relative ease and get back into the game.
Adding to the lackluster second-half performance, the Titans’ run defense gave up over 100 yards on the ground for the third-straight game.
It goes without saying the Titans need more of what we saw in the first half of last week’s game — and doing it for a full 60 minutes, which has been an issue this season, would be ideal.
Will Roger McCreary play?
The Titans’ secondary has struggled this season, even when healthy, so it certainly doesn’t help to not have one of the unit’s best players, Roger McCreary, sitting out.
McCreary injured his hamstring during practice last week and was unable to go in Week 8. His status remains up in the air for Week 9 after he was estimated as a limited participant on Monday.
Tennessee deployed rookie Eric Garror as the nickel in McCreary’s stead and there’s no doubt he was a downgrade from the normally reliable Auburn product.
Tennessee’s suspect secondary needs all hands on deck, thus it’ll be worth watching how McCreary progresses at practice ahead of Thursday.
Will Titans face Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky?
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett exited the Week 8 game early due to a rib injury, leaving his status in question for Week 9. Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed Pickett will likely be a game-time decision.
The #Steelers listed QB Kenny Pickett (rib) as limited on their estimated injury report today. Mike Tomlin said Pickett could be a game-time decision Thursday night vs. the #Titans.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 30, 2023
While Pickett hasn’t been great by any stretch, he’s better than Pittsburgh’s backup, Mitch Trubisky, who struggled in his relief appearance last week. Tennessee’s defense would catch a break if Pickett can’t go.
