Ex-Cats

‘Losing sucks.’ Will Levis and the Titans’ comeback attempt comes up short at Pittsburgh.

Former University of Kentucky star Will Levis played well in his second NFL start but couldn’t match the electricity of his first.

Levis threw for 262 yards for the Tennessee Titans, but his 39th and final pass ended up being the first interception of his career when Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander picked off a pass at the goal line with 6 seconds remaining to seal a 20-16 victory in Pittsburgh.

“Losing sucks. It’s so hard to win games and you have an opportunity like that to win it at the end and it doesn’t happen, it makes you feel a whole lot worse,” Levis said. “Credit to them, they made the plays when they needed to and we didn’t.”

Levis, whose offensive line was reshuffled several times during the game due to injury and was sacked four times, was coming off a dazzling four-touchdown masterpiece in a win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

But this time it was Kenny Pickett who was the quarterback leading his team to victory with a late touchdown drive.

With the Titans up 16-13, Pickett threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson with 4:02 to go for Pittsburgh (5-3), and its defense turned away Tennessee (3-5) and Levis twice in the final minutes.

Four of Pittsburgh’s five wins this season have come in games they trailed entering the fourth quarter. All five of Pittsburgh’s victories have come by eight points or less.

“You don’t lose it late — there’s always other things that go into it, opportunities missed, or their ability to make a play when they needed to,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “It’s good to see us continue to fight … and have an opportunity.”

The Titans’ defense limited the Steelers but failed to create a turnover.

“At the end of the day, they made a play, and we didn’t,” defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said.

Next up for the Titans is a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 12.

Tennessee quarterback Will Levis, right, is sacked by Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the fourth quarter in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Tennessee quarterback Will Levis, right, is sacked by Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the fourth quarter in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Denny Simmons USA Today Network
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, and Titans quarterback Will Levis meet at midfield after Thursday night’s game in Pittsburgh. Tennessee lost 20-16.
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, and Titans quarterback Will Levis meet at midfield after Thursday night’s game in Pittsburgh. Tennessee lost 20-16. Charles LeClaire USA Today Network
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