Titans vs. Saints: Rookie QBs, Late-Season Momentum, and a Matchup That Suddenly Matters
What looked like a draft positioning showdown just a few weeks ago is now shaping up to be one of the more intriguing games of Week 17. The Tennessee Titans (3-12) will host the New Orleans Saints (5-10) on Dec. 28 at Nissan Stadium, and while neither team is headed to the postseason, both are showing signs of life - and perhaps, signs of what's to come.
Let’s be honest: this game wasn’t circled on many calendars back in November. But with both squads heating up in December, the Titans-Saints matchup has gone from draft-watch fodder to a compelling look at two rookie quarterbacks finding their footing and two franchises trying to build momentum heading into 2026.
Rookie Quarterbacks in Focus: Cam Ward vs. Tyler Shough
At the heart of this game is a head-to-head between two rookie signal-callers who’ve taken very different paths but are now center stage.
Cam Ward is coming off his best performance yet - a 26-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that turned heads around the league. Ward looked confident, composed, and in command, a sign that the Titans’ offense might finally be turning a corner.
His development has been closely tied to the resurgence of Tennessee’s ground game, which has taken the pressure off and allowed him to play more freely. Ward’s two best passer ratings of the season?
They’ve come in the last two weeks.
On the other side, Tyler Shough has helped guide the Saints to three straight wins - their longest streak of the season - including a dominant 29-6 win over the Jets. He’s shown poise and accuracy, and while he might not have Ward’s ceiling, he’s playing efficient, winning football right now. The Saints’ offense is starting to find rhythm, and Shough deserves credit for helping steady the ship during what was shaping up to be a lost season.
Titans Offense vs. Saints Defense
Here’s where things get interesting. The Saints have won three straight, but their defense has shown some cracks against the run. Over that stretch, they’ve allowed an average of 123.3 rushing yards per game on 90 total carries - not exactly lockdown numbers.
That’s good news for a Titans rushing attack that’s been quietly cooking since the start of December. Tennessee is averaging over 5 yards per carry and more than 160 rushing yards per game during that span.
Tony Pollard is finally looking like the explosive back the Titans hoped they were getting, rattling off three straight 100-yard games. That ground game has opened up the playbook for Ward, who’s taken full advantage.
If the Titans can control the clock and keep the chains moving on the ground, that’s going to make life a lot easier for their rookie quarterback. And right now, they’re built to do just that.
Edge: Titans
Saints Offense vs. Titans Defense
This is where the Saints have an opportunity to strike.
The Titans’ defense has been held together with duct tape and determination. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson deserves all the credit in the world for keeping this unit competitive despite a revolving door of injuries and trades. Tennessee has lost key contributors across the board - Dre’Mont Jones, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Roger McCreary via trade, and injuries to L’Jarius Sneed, Oluwafemi Oladejo, Kevin Winston Jr., Xavier Woods, Ali Gaye, Cedric Gray, and Marcus Harris.
That’s a staggering list. And while the Titans have managed to stay afloat defensively, the attrition is real. The Saints, with Shough settling in and the offense gaining confidence, have a real opportunity to take advantage of a depleted Tennessee secondary and a front seven that’s running on fumes.
Edge: Saints
Betting Line and Prediction
According to BetMGM, the Saints enter the game as 2.5-point favorites. The moneyline sits at -145 for New Orleans and +120 for Tennessee, with the over/under set at 39.5 points.
This one feels like it’s going to come down to which rookie quarterback can make the bigger plays in crunch time. Shough has been steady, but Ward’s ceiling is higher - and he’s starting to tap into it. Add in a Titans run game that’s found its groove and a home crowd that’s eager to see signs of a brighter future, and the edge leans slightly toward Tennessee.
Prediction: Titans 27, Saints 24
This isn’t just a battle between two teams trying to stay out of the top five in next year’s draft - it’s a glimpse into what could be. Both teams are playing their best football of the season.
Both rookie quarterbacks are showing growth. And both fanbases finally have something to watch that isn’t about next April.
Late-season games between non-contenders don’t always carry weight. But this one? It just might.