Rookie QB Cam Ward is red-hot, and Tony Pollard is surging. Saints defense faces a trap if they underestimate Tennessee's evolving attack.
As the New Orleans Saints pack their bags for a Music City showdown this Sunday, December 28, the narrative surrounding the Tennessee Titans might tempt some fans to overlook them. With a 3-12 record and the early-season firing of head coach Brian Callahan, the Titans look like a team playing out the string.
However, looking at the tape from the last three weeks reveals a much more dangerous reality. The Saints' defense, currently ranked 9th in total yards allowed, is about to walk into a trap if they expect the same "abysmal" offense that started the year.
The "Cam Ward" Factor
The biggest shift for Tennessee has been the rapid maturation of Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick didn't just break the franchise rookie passing record this month—he shattered it. Coming off a career-high 122.3 passer rating against the Chiefs, Ward is playing with a "nothing to lose" confidence that makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
For the Saints, the mission is clear, disrupt their rhythm. Ward has shown he can be a "clean" quarterback lately, but he’s still a rookie. The Saints' secondary, which ranks 5th in the league against the pass, must force Ward to hold the ball a second longer than he wants to. If Dennis Allen’s unit allows Ward to sit in the pocket and find his favorite target, Chig Okonkwo, it’s going to be a long afternoon in Nashville.
Stopping the Pollard Revival
While Ward is the headline, Tony Pollard remains the engine. The Titans' ground game has been inconsistent all year, but Pollard is fresh off a 102-yard performance against the Chiefs. A game where the Titans absolutely dominated Kansas City holding then to only 9 points.
The Saints' run defense (ranked 22nd) has been their Achilles' heel this season. With defensive tackle Bryan Bresee to be sidelined, the interior of the New Orleans line is vulnerable. If the Titans can establish a 4.5-yard-per-carry average early, it opens up the play-action shots that Ward has mastered over the last three weeks.
Two Keys for the Saints Defense:
- Contain the "Extender": Ward is dynamic outside the pocket. The Saints' ends need to keep him "in the well" and prevent him from using his legs to create 20-yard gains out of broken plays.
- Bracket Okonkwo: The Titans lack a true WR1 burner, but Okonkwo has become Ward’s security blanket. Taking him away on third down forces Ward to look towards targets he trusts less.
- Contain Tony Pollard: The front line will need to find ways to contain Pollard, especially coming off his 102 momentum yard stat against the Chiefs. Expect the Titans to try to exploit the absence of Bryan Bresee.
The Bottom Line
This isn't the Week 1 Titans. This is a team playing for jobs in 2026, led by a quarterback who is finally seeing the field in slow motion. The Saints have won three straight behind their own rookie, Tyler Shough, but if the defense doesn't respect Cam Ward's evolution, the winning streak will end at Nissan Stadium.