The Titans haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but on Sunday, they gave their fans a reason to smile - and maybe even believe a little in what’s coming next.
Tennessee took down Kansas City 26-9, earning just their third win of the year. And while the playoff picture is long gone, this was about more than just the final score. It was about seeing the No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward, take another step forward - and he did just that.
Ward looked sharp from the jump, finishing 21-of-28 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t just managing the game; he was making throws that reminded everyone why Tennessee made him the top pick. Against a defense that’s had its moments this season, Ward stood tall in the pocket, showed poise under pressure, and flashed the kind of arm talent that teams dream about building around.
This was a glimpse into what the future could look like in Nashville - and it looked promising.
On the other side, the Chiefs found themselves scrambling early after quarterback Gardner Minshew went down with a knee injury in the first half. He was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out. Minshew completed just 3-of-8 passes for 15 yards before exiting, and there’s reportedly concern that the injury could be a torn ACL - a brutal blow for a team that’s already had a rough go this season.
With Minshew sidelined, Kansas City turned to third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, who stepped in and did what he could. He finished 11-of-16 for 111 yards, but the offense never found its rhythm, and the Chiefs failed to reach the end zone.
At 6-9, Kansas City’s season has officially veered off the rails, and they’ll likely have to add another quarterback on a short week. They’ll try to regroup before hosting the Broncos on Christmas Day, then wrap things up in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
As for the Titans, they’re still staring down a coaching search and a roster that needs plenty of work. But in Cam Ward, they’ve got a quarterback who’s showing real signs of being the guy. And in a season that’s been short on silver linings, that’s one they can hold onto.
Next up: a home game against the Saints, followed by a season finale in Jacksonville. There may not be much left to play for in the standings, but for Ward and the Titans, these final two games are all about continuing to build something bigger.