The NFL barrels into November and its midseason point with a "Thursday Night Football" meeting between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 3-4 Titans have renewed hope after rookie quarterback Will Levis' dazzling debut in a 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons last week. Levis will start again on Thursday, as Ryan Tannehill remains out due to ankle injury. And after the Titans decided not to move star running back Derrick Henry or wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins at the NFL trade deadline – though the team did send two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles – Levis will have his full arsenal of weapons at his disposal.
The Steelers stand at 4-3 but are searching for answers after falling 20-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Kenny Pickett will start after being knocked out of Sunday's contest with a rib injury, and he'll look to kick-start the league's 30th-ranked offense (271.1 yards per game).
Check back here for updates throughout the night on Titans vs. Steelers:
Kickoff for Titans vs. Steelers is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 2.
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Titans at Steelers will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
Rookie Will Levis will make his second career NFL start as Ryan Tannehill continues to deal with an ankle injury. Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had been listed as questionable (toe) on injury reports, but will play against the Steelers.
The Steelers' six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward will play for the first time since the season opener. The Steelers activated Heyward off injured reserve after he underwent groin surgery in September after tearing an adductor muscle in the first half of a Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out after suffering a hamstring injury during Week 8.
Titans' inactive players:
Steelers' inactive players:
Lorenzo Reyes: Titans 18, Steelers 17
This is a tough one to call, as both offense have struggled to find consistency. On a short week, with both these teams building their identities on physical play, the under is rather tempting, as low as it actually is. But with Will Levis giving Tennessee a boost, I’m going to tentatively back them here.
Tyler Dragon: Steelers 21, Titans 17
Rookie QB Will Levis rejuvenated the Titans offense in his first NFL start. But Levis’ first start was at home against the Falcons. This time, Levis is on the road versus a Steelers defense led by TJ Watt. Pittsburgh is going to be a tough environment for a rookie making just his second start.
Safid Deen: Steelers 17, Titans 13
Will Levis was outstanding in his NFL debut last week. But facing the Steelers' defense, at home, on a short week, won’t bode well for the Titans rookie. The Steelers will have just enough offense to beat the Titans on Thursday night.
Victoria Hernandez: Steelers 19, Titans 17
Will Levis had a great NFL debut, but this Steelers defense will be ready to contain the rookie and give Kenny Pickett enough of a cushion in the home game to bounce back from a tough loss.
Jordan Mendoza: Titans 18, Steelers 17
Is Will Levis the spark Tennessee needed? While he doesn’t have a game like last week against a strong defense, the momentum from last week and Derrick Henry carry the Titans into a close win in Pittsburgh.
➤ USA TODAY Sports' experts' picks for NFL Week 9
The Steelers enter Thursday as three-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
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