Saints vs. Titans: A Game That’s About Much More Than the Scoreboard
The New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans are both out of the playoff hunt, but don’t let the records fool you - this Week 17 clash carries real weight. At 5-10, the Saints are riding a surprising three-game win streak, while the 3-12 Titans are staring down a different kind of decision: stick with the development of rookie quarterback Cam Ward or lean into the potential benefits of a higher draft pick. The Saints enter as slight favorites, but the real storyline isn’t about who wins - it’s about who’s building something that lasts.
Tyler Shough’s Emergence: From Rough Start to Rising Star
Let’s start with New Orleans. The Saints might not be playoff-bound, but they’ve found something - or more accurately, someone - in rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
After a rough debut against the Rams in a 10-34 loss, the second-round pick (40th overall) has flipped the narrative. Over his last three starts, Shough has looked like a different quarterback: completing 66.4% of his passes for 1,792 yards, seven touchdowns, and just five interceptions, good for an 86.5 passer rating.
His latest outing against the Jets was a milestone - his first 300-yard game (32-of-49 for 308 yards and a touchdown) - and more importantly, a showcase of how far he’s come. He’s not just throwing the ball better; he’s running the offense with poise. Whether it’s drawing penalties with smart scrambles or leading clutch drives late in games, Shough is showing the kind of maturity that makes you pause and wonder: could the Saints already have their quarterback of the future?
And he’s got the right matchup to keep that momentum rolling. Tennessee’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league in key categories - 29th in opponent points per play (0.448) and allowing 5.7 yards per play overall. That’s the kind of environment where a young QB can thrive, and with Kellen Moore dialing up a quick-strike, play-action-heavy offense that fits Shough’s strengths, the table is set for another big day.
What This Means for the Saints’ Future
Here’s where things get interesting. The Saints are 4-3 with Shough under center heading into this game.
That’s not just a stat - it’s a signal to the front office. If Shough keeps stacking wins, he could shift the team’s draft priorities entirely.
Instead of chasing a top-10 pick and another quarterback, the Saints could find themselves sitting in the 13-14 range and feeling pretty good about the most important position in football.
A win against Tennessee - and potentially another against Atlanta to close the season - would be more than just a strong finish. It would be a statement. Shough would be 5-3 as a starter, and the Saints would have real evidence that they’ve found a franchise quarterback without needing to spend another high pick to get one.
Cam Ward: The Titans’ Calculated Bet
On the other side, Tennessee is playing the long game with Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick in 2025 had a rocky start under new head coach Brian Callahan, going 1-5 early and struggling with turnovers (seven interceptions in his first seven games). But since the bye week, Ward has looked like the player the Titans hoped he’d become.
He’s thrown eight touchdowns and just one interception over his last three games, including a breakout performance against Kansas City in Week 16 - 228 yards and a 122.3 passer rating. That’s not just a good game; that’s a glimpse of what a franchise quarterback can look like.
And the Titans are all-in on that vision. Despite tumbling from a potential No. 1 overall draft slot to around No. 6, they’ve made it clear that Ward’s development takes priority over draft position. He’s even being included in the team’s head coaching search - a rare move that signals just how invested the organization is in building around him.
Sunday’s matchup gives Ward another chance to show growth, this time against a Saints defense that’s quietly one of the league’s more efficient units. New Orleans ranks eighth in opponent third-down conversion rate and allows just 4.9 yards per play. That’s not an easy puzzle for a young quarterback to solve - especially with a pass rush that can collapse the pocket from both the edge and the interior.
Saints’ Defensive Front Could Be the Difference
The Saints’ defensive line has been a problem for opposing offenses, and that spells trouble for Tennessee’s outside-zone run game and play-action concepts. Edge rushers Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson are bringing steady pressure, while Malcolm Koonce is causing havoc inside. That trio could force Ward into uncomfortable situations, where his accuracy in tight windows has been hit-or-miss.
Ward’s season numbers - 60.2% completion rate, 13 touchdowns, 7 interceptions - show promise, but also room to grow. This game will test how far he’s come, and whether he can operate effectively against a defense that doesn’t give you much for free.
Chris Olave: Quietly Dominating, Loudly Elite
Now let’s talk about Chris Olave, because he’s not just having a good season - he’s putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign. The former first-rounder has 92 catches for 1,044 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, and he’s doing it with ruthless efficiency. He’s averaging 11.3 yards per reception and an eye-popping 11.9 yards per target - numbers that put him in elite company.
His last game? A 10-catch, 148-yard, two-touchdown clinic against the Jets.
And with Tennessee’s secondary giving up a 67.69% completion rate and struggling to contain explosive plays, Olave is in line for another monster outing. Whether it’s against soft zones or single coverage, his route-running and release package are simply too polished for most defenders to handle.
Cam Ward doing impressive football stuff with his bros pic.twitter.com/79mmUFZyVh
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) December 22, 2025
Over his last four games, Olave is averaging nearly 10 receptions and 96 yards per game. That’s not just production - that’s consistency at a high level.
With Pro Bowl voting looming, Sunday offers another chance for Olave to separate himself from the pack. If he puts up another 100-yard day or finds the end zone a couple more times, it’ll be hard to leave him off any list of top-tier receivers.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Throwaway Game
So yes, this is a battle between two teams already eliminated from playoff contention. But don’t let that fool you - this game matters.
For the Saints, it’s about confirming whether Tyler Shough is the guy. For the Titans, it’s about giving Cam Ward another stage to prove he’s the future.
And for players like Chris Olave, it’s a chance to cement their place among the league’s elite.
Sometimes, the most meaningful games aren’t the ones with postseason stakes - they’re the ones that shape what comes next. And in Nashville this Sunday, both teams will be playing for exactly that.