Saints Face a Sneaky Test in Tennessee: Why Cam Ward and the Titans Aren’t the Pushovers Their Record Suggests
On paper, the New Orleans Saints should be walking into Nashville with confidence. They’re riding a three-game win streak, their rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is showing real signs of growth, and they’re facing a 3-12 Titans team that already fired its head coach. But don’t let the record fool you-this version of the Titans isn’t the same group that stumbled out of the gate back in September.
Over the past three weeks, Tennessee has quietly started to look like a team with teeth. And at the center of that transformation? Cam Ward.
Cam Ward is No Longer Just a Rookie - He’s a Problem
Let’s start with the obvious. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, isn’t just improving-he’s accelerating.
He recently broke the franchise rookie passing record, and he’s doing it with poise, confidence, and a growing mastery of the offense. Against the Chiefs, Ward posted a 122.3 passer rating, the kind of number that turns heads and forces defensive coordinators to rethink their approach.
He’s playing like a guy who knows he has nothing to lose-and that makes him dangerous. He’s not forcing throws, he’s taking what the defense gives him, and he’s finding his rhythm with tight end Chig Okonkwo, who’s become his go-to option when things get tight.
For the Saints’ defense, which ranks 9th in total yards allowed and 5th against the pass, the job is clear: disrupt Ward’s timing and make him uncomfortable. That means getting pressure without overcommitting, forcing him to hold the ball longer than he wants, and taking away his safety valve in Okonkwo.
Ward has shown he can carve up a defense when he’s in rhythm. If New Orleans lets him get into that groove early, it could be a long afternoon.
Tony Pollard is Heating Up - And the Saints’ Run D Has Questions
While Ward is the headline, Tony Pollard is the engine that keeps the Titans’ offense moving. His season hasn’t been consistent, but he’s coming off a 102-yard performance against Kansas City, and he looked like the explosive back Tennessee hoped he’d be when they brought him in.
Pollard’s resurgence couldn’t come at a worse time for New Orleans. The Saints’ run defense has been a soft spot all season, ranking 22nd in the league. And with rookie defensive tackle Bryan Bresee sidelined, the middle of that front is even more vulnerable than usual.
If the Titans can get Pollard going early-establishing something close to that 4.5 yards per carry mark-it opens up the play-action game that Ward has been thriving in lately. That’s when things get tricky.
Ward doesn’t need to throw it 40 times to beat you. He just needs enough balance to keep the Saints guessing.
What the Saints Must Do to Avoid the Trap
This game will come down to execution and discipline on the defensive side. Here are two things Dennis Allen’s unit absolutely must do to keep the Titans in check:
1. Contain the “Extender”
Ward is slippery. He’s not just a pocket passer-he’s a play extender.
When things break down, he’s shown the ability to escape, reset, and turn a busted play into a 20-yard gain. That’s a killer for any defense, but especially one that’s trying to protect a young quarterback on the other side.
The Saints’ edge rushers need to keep Ward “in the well” and force him to beat them from the pocket.
2. Bracket Okonkwo
The Titans don’t have a true WR1, but Okonkwo has stepped up as Ward’s most trusted target-especially on third downs. Taking him away forces Ward to go through his progressions and test his chemistry with lesser-known targets.
That’s exactly the kind of situation where a rookie can make mistakes.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t the same Titans team that limped through the first half of the season. They’re playing with pride, with urgency, and with a quarterback who’s starting to figure it out.
For New Orleans, the margin for error is slim. Yes, Tyler Shough has been solid during this win streak, and yes, the Saints have the better record.
But if the defense doesn’t come in locked and ready to deal with a confident Cam Ward and a revitalized Tony Pollard, this trip to Nashville could derail their momentum in a hurry.
The Saints are still very much in control of their own destiny-but they’ll need to prove it against a Titans team that’s no longer just playing out the string.