Titans' Brian Callahan says they need to limit mistakes to win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – What looked like a season-opening victory for the Tennessee Titans was completely wiped out when quarterback Will Levis fell to his knees and placed his hands on his head.

Levis' gesture came after a desperate attempt to get rid of the football, describing a “dumb play” after the game. Facing a third-and-6, the Titans held a 17-16 lead at their 45-yard line with 7:35 left in the game.

Chicago launched a blitz, with nickel corner Kyler Gordon charging at Levis. Gordon drove Levis right into the waiting hands of DeMarcus Walker.

“Next time, just grab the sack, kid,” Walker said on social media after the game.

Instead of accepting the sack, Levis attempted to throw the ball away, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson intercepted it and carried it back 43 yards, which was the winning point.

The Bears fought back from a 17-0 deficit to win with 24 unanswered points.

“We played so well on defense,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said Monday. “It's almost like every time we punted the ball on the first and 10th attempt. We could have won the game the way we gave it away.”

The Titans defense, led by new coordinator Dennard Wilson, held the Bears to 148 yards of offense and did not allow a touchdown.

Callahan was confident he could rely on his defense, and he said he talked to Levis about not forcing anything late in the third quarter when they were on the sideline.

“It was like saying, 'Look, they didn't do anything on offense. Our defense is playing outstanding. We don't have to be exceptional on offense right now. We're still trying to score points, but limiting the mistakes is what's going to win us this game,'” Callahan said.

Aside from a blocked punt that Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens returned for a touchdown, punter Ryan Stonehouse averaged 53.6 yards.

It was the first time Callahan saw Levis in a real game setting. Callahan praised the second-year quarterback for his resilience, demeanor and ability to recognize and communicate what he saw.

He understood what Levis was trying to do, but stressed to the young quarterback that he couldn't make a bad play worse. Callahan and the Titans staff have tried to teach Levis when the journey is over.

Callahan compared the current situation with Levis to his early days as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, where he worked with Joe Burrow.

“[Burrow] was very similar,” Callahan said. “He held the ball, took unnecessary risks, took a lot of hits early in his career – his first two years – and learned very quickly that that's not a sustainable way to play football. You keep trying to get the message across to the guys, and eventually it clicks and makes sense and they start to see the light.”

Instead of getting off to a 1-0 start in his coaching debut, ending a three-year losing streak by the Titans in opening games, Tennessee allowed the Bears to become the first team in NFL history to win a game in which they trailed by at least 17 points and had fewer than 150 total yards.

Caleb Williams had a standout day for the Titans defense, becoming the first No. 1 quarterback since David Carr of the Houston Texans in 2002 to win his debut in Week 1. Williams did it despite passing for just 93 yards.

Things don't look like they'll get any easier for Levis and the offense in Week 2 when the New York Jets come to Nissan Stadium for their home opener on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS). The Jets allowed the third-fewest yards per game last season (292.3).

The Titans hope they can see more from the Levis, who led them to three consecutive scoring drives on Sunday – otherwise they could now be facing a 2-0 deficit.