DeVito & Levis Pull Off MNF Shockers

12/12/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

MNF Doubleheader: Giants Stun Packers (24-22), Titans Rally Past Dolphins (28-27) in Night Where Rookie QB Stars Are Born

Anything can happen in the NFL, and I mean anything. Two teams with abysmal seasons — Titans and Giants — looking for a spark from their rookie gunslingers — Will Levis and Tommy DeVito — just upended two teams currently in the playoff picture. Levis has captured Nashville, and there’s DeVito-mania in NYC. Both the Titans and Giants now have win streaks going in this bizarre “second half” of the NFL season. Against all odds, there are still 30 (out of 32) NFL teams still technically playoff eligible coming down the stretch. The only teams officially eliminated are the Panthers and Patriots. Wild stuff. Let’s rewind a pair of mayhem-filled MNF finishes.

Giants def. Packers (24-22) Behind DeVito Magic

Both the Packers and Giants entered MNF on low-key win streaks, but MetLife Stadium had some extra juice on Monday night thanks to their underdog-to-be quarterback, Tommy DeVito. The New Jersey native was an undrafted free agent who got the chance to start for the G-Men in recent weeks following multiple quarterback injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. DeVito (17/21, 219 yards, 1 TD) efficiently put the Giants in front by eight after a third-quarter surge. The Packers marched for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes (22-21), but DeVito’s Hollywood script isn’t stopping. He completed a huge pass to Wandale Jones with less than a minute to play that set up the game-winning field goal from Randy Bullock (37 yards), and the Giants (5-8) are suddenly one game out of the playoff picture.

Titans def. Dolphins (28-27) With Levis Rally

Did you turn this game off with five minutes to go? I almost did. The Titans and Dolphins were deadlocked in a 13-13 contest early in the 4th quarter before Tennessee coughed away two fumbles to give the Dolphins a short field, twice — one muffed punt and a fumbled pitch. Miami scored on both miscues to take a 27-13 lead. It looked over, but Titans QB Will Levis had something to prove. Tennessee put together back-to-back touchdown drives in the final five minutes (13 total plays, 139 total yards, 15 points) and a two-point conversion to take the lead (28-27). Miami had one last possession, but Tua Tagovailoa was sacked on a 4th-and-2 near midfield. And just like the Giants, the Titans (5-8) are still kicking in the AFC.

*Check tomorrow’s edition for our final regular-season NFL Power Rankings of 2023 (we’ll switch to playoff picture only when we return in 2024).

CBS Sports: Will Levis Leads Titans to Shocking Upset Road Rally Over Dolphins

Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images