In a season where bright spots have been few and far between, the Tennessee Titans gave fans a moment to remember in Week 15 - and it came from one of the most unlikely quarterback-receiver duos you’ll see all year: rookie QB Cam Ward and star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
Let’s set the scene. First-and-goal.
The Titans are knocking on the door against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense. Cam Ward scrambles out of the pocket, looking like he’s about to take a sack.
But instead of going down, he does what playmakers do - keeps the play alive. And then, somehow, he spots Simmons - yes, that Jeffery Simmons - wide open near the edge of the end zone.
Ward lets it fly across his body, and Simmons hauls it in for one of the most jaw-dropping touchdowns of the year.
Big men touchdowns are always a crowd-pleaser, but this one had a little extra flair. It wasn’t your typical goal-line package where the DT just barrels forward. This was a real-deal scramble drill, and Simmons showed some serious awareness - and hands - to finish it off.
Now, let’s be clear: the Titans didn’t win the game. The 49ers walked away with a 37-24 victory, keeping Tennessee winless in games where they’ve trailed wire to wire. The Titans did make it interesting, cutting the deficit to just four points at one stage, but they never quite had the momentum to take control.
At 2-12, the Titans are long past the point of playoff talk. This is about development, identity, and pride. And in that sense, the Ward-to-Simmons connection was more than just a fun highlight - it was a window into the foundation Tennessee is trying to build.
Jeffery Simmons continues to be a cornerstone on the defensive side. He racked up seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack in the game - a reminder of why he's so valuable, even as trade rumors continue to swirl around him.
The Titans have been firm in their stance: Simmons isn’t going anywhere. He’s the heartbeat of that defense, and performances like this reinforce why Tennessee wants him leading that unit as they rebuild.
On offense, all eyes are on Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick is still finding his footing, but there are signs of growth.
Against a physical 49ers defense, Ward completed 18-of-29 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He hasn’t topped 200 passing yards in his last three games, but he’s now thrown two touchdowns in back-to-back starts - a small but encouraging step forward for a rookie still adjusting to the NFL game.
There’s no question Ward’s development is priority No. 1 for this franchise. His ability to create plays, even when things break down, is what made him the top pick. Plays like the one to Simmons - off-script, under pressure, and with a little bit of magic - are the flashes that keep coaches and fans believing in the long-term vision.
As for Simmons catching more passes? Let’s not get carried away.
It’s probably not going to become a regular part of the playbook. But in a season that’s been short on highlights, that moment - a quarterback and a defensive lineman connecting for six - gave the Titans and their fans something to smile about.
And right now, those moments matter.