Story by
Tennessee Titans' season dies as it lived: Painfully | Estes
- Story by
- Tennessee Titans' season dies as it lived: Painfully | Estes
Rapid reaction from the Tennessee Titans ' season-ending 41-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 4 at EverBank Stadium:
Talking points
-
The injury luck finally ran out for quarterback Cam Ward before the end of his rookie season. He missed most of this game after getting hurt on the Titans ' opening drive while, of all things, scoring a touchdown. He landed awkwardly on his shoulder while raising his arm to extend the football past the goal line on a 7-yard scoring run. Backup Brandon Allen , who hadn't completed a pass in a regular-season game since Nov. 24, 2024, came in to finish the afternoon, making a difficult matchup all but impossible. It was a rout, but more importantly, Ward's health just became a primary focus as the Titans enter a transformative offseason.
-
The Ward-less Titans, after grabbing a quick 7-0 lead, soon were predictably overwhelmed by a superior opponent that had much more on the line. Winners of seven in a row entering this game, the red-hot Jags were about to secure an AFC South title and a home playoff game. And they played like it. Trevor Lawrence was 22 of 30 for 255 passing yards and three touchdowns against a depleted Titans secondary before departing early, the game well in hand. Meanwhile, Allen threw a pick-six and was 17 of 30 for only 72 yards. (Barely more than Ward, who had 52 passing yards in his one possession.)
-
Jacksonville kicker Cam Little , who set an NFL record with a 68-yard field goal earlier this season, connected from 67 yards to end the first half. Little only had the opportunity because the Titans had failed to complete a pass on fourth-and-8, leaving 3 seconds for a Jags field goal attempt that pushed the lead to 31-7.
-
Titans defensive star Jeffery Simmons got another sack in this game, reaching 11 and finishing with sacks in five of the final six games. Given the Titans' general irrelevance (and what Myles Garrett has been doing in Cleveland ), most of the NFL won't appreciate just how good Simmons was in 2025. This was the best season of his pro career. Too bad it was wasted on a three-win team.
Where the game turned
This game started brilliantly for the Titans. Simmons got a sack on the first snap. The defense got a quick stop, and then the offense drove 58 yards for the touchdown. But Ward hurt his shoulder on that touchdown run. And that pretty much was it as far as realistic hope for a big Titans upset.
Advertisement
Key number
0 —Victories for the Titans this season in the AFC South, and only one of those six losses (a 16-13 home defeat to the Houston Texans on Nov. 16) had a final score margin within three touchdowns.
What I liked
This was the final time we'll have to watch the 2025 Titans. We made it to the finish line, y'all.
What I didn't like
Ward injuring his shoulder in a relatively meaningless season finale is about the last problem the Titans needed. Their upcoming offseason — with a new coach — will be critical for Ward's development. You'd certainly like him to be healthy enough to throw passes and make the most of that time.
Advertisement
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: With Cam Ward's injury, Tennessee Titans' season painful to the end
