This was a generational interception reaction.
The Tennessee Titans had the Chicago Bears on the ropes in Week 1 on Sunday. Tennessee held a 17-0 lead on the road as the clock ticked away on the second quarter. The Titans defense was spoiling the debut of Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams with consistent pressure up the middle, and it put Will Levis and the Tennessee offense in a position where they didn’t have win the game as much as they had to not lose it.
So much for that. The Bears beat the Titans, 24-17, thanks to a ferocious comeback led by their defense and special teams. Chicago failed to score an offensive touchdown, yet won the game thanks to a blocked punt returned to the end-zone, and a fourth quarter pick-six on Levis that put the Bears ahead for good.
Levis’ interception was just terrible. On third and six, Levis flipped the ball to the sidelines just before getting sacked, and it flew right into the hands of Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who took it to the hours. It’s an inexcusable mistake in any context, but it was especially dumb when the Titans were just going to punt on fourth down anyway against a lifeless Bears offense. Just take the sack!
Levis’ reaction made a hilarious play even funnier. As Stevenson was running back the pick-six, Levis went full Surrender Cobra. Watch the interception here:
Now please enjoy the memes:
Here’s a great Fox Sports feature on the history of the Surrender Cobra.
After the game, new Titans head coach Brian Callahan said his team probably would have won if they successfully punted on 1st-and-10 every possession.
He’s right, but it still stings to hear him say it:
Titans HC Brian Callahan:
“If we’d just punted on 1st & 10 every time, we might’ve won the game”
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) September 9, 2024
Hey, at least the Titans defense looks great. It can only get better from here for Will Levis and the offense.
