Cam Ward flashes clutch potential in Titans’ comeback victory over Cardinals

• Arguably his best performance yet: Ward's 68.0 overall PFF grade was the second-highest of his career.

• Dynamic when it counted: Ward compiled a 92.1 PFF passing grade in the fourth quarter while leading the Titans to a dramatic win.

• The Tennessee Titans upset the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5: Dive into the PFF game recap for advanced stats, snap counts, early player grades and more!

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Through the first four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, very little had gone according to plan for an updated Titans team.

Despite drafting Cameron Ward with the first overall pick and signing two high-priced offensive linemen, the team hadn’t displayed many notable signs of growth. En route to a winless initial four games, Tennessee was outscored 120-51 and ranked 28^th or worse in both offensive and defensive EPA per play.

The first three quarters of the team’s Week 5 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals followed that script, with Tennessee falling behind 21-6 entering the fourth period. But instead of rolling over and wilting as usual, the Titans clawed their way back — mostly on the back of their rookie quarterback, who played at an elite level.

Indeed, while galvanizing Tennessee’s first win since Week 12 of last season, Ward posted a 68.0 overall PFF grade — the second-highest of his career. The Miami (FL) alum generated a 67.7 PFF passing grade, courtesy of three big-time throws with zero turnover-worthy plays. More specifically, that number of well-placed passes matched his total through four prior games.

Ward particularly capitalized on better pass protection in Week 5. As he was pressured on only 19% of his dropbacks, Ward made the Cardinals pay. He notched a 71.3 PFF passing grade from a clean pocket, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt and picking up 11 first downs.

Likewise, what only renders Ward’s outing that much more impressive is how effective he was when targeting down the field. On passes of 10 or more yards, the rookie went 7-for-14 for 171 yards, and all of his aforementioned big-time throws occurred from such distance. That culminated in a stellar 79.0 PFF passing grade on intermediate or deep attempts.

Just as the Titans looked dead in the water, Ward’s magic act rejuvenated the team’s chances. On Tennessee’s final drive with a chance to seize victory, Ward completed 5-of-6 passes for 67 yards. That included uncorking a beautiful downfield 38-yard pass to Calvin Ridley, which positioned the team in eventual field goal range.

In fact, Ward’s 91.2 overall PFF grade in the second half was the sixth-best among any offensive player to see 10 or more second-half snaps in Week 5. Ward actually saved his best for last, securing a 92.8 overall mark and a 92.1 passing grade in the fourth quarter — both the best of any player in Week 5.

The Titans still have numerous strides to make on both sides of the ball, including avoiding turnovers, covering more tightly, being more efficient on third down and dropping fewer passes. But to average -0.01 EPA per passing play with six explosive passes — both easily season highs — against an improved defense is indubitably a step in the right direction.

Tennessee’s wins may be few and far between throughout the rest of the 2025 campaign, but Ward’s growth is the long-term priority amid other uncertainty. If the gunslinger maintains performances like the one he put forth in Week 5, the Titans may be able to snatch more victories sooner than anticipated.