NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After more than a year without a home victory, the Tennessee Titans finally had a reason to celebrate at Nissan Stadium.
Behind a strong performance from rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26–9 on Sunday, snapping an 11-game losing streak at home. It marked Tennessee’s first home win since Nov. 3, 2024.
Ward completed passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, posting his best passer rating of the season at 122.3. Interim head coach Mike McCoy called the victory a long-awaited breakthrough.
“This is how football is supposed to look,” McCoy said. “It’s been a tough stretch, but this was a complete team win.”
The Titans improved to 3–12 overall and 1–7 at home, ending a skid that tied the franchise’s longest home losing streak since relocating to Tennessee in 1997.
Ward said the difference was execution across the board. “All three phases worked together today,” he said. “That hasn’t happened often enough this season.”
Kansas City, meanwhile, continued its downward spiral. The Chiefs fell to 6–9 and are guaranteed their first losing season since 2012, the last year before Andy Reid became head coach. The loss was their fourth in a row and sixth in the past seven games.
“Nobody enjoys losing,” Reid said. “But this is part of the process. Sometimes tough seasons teach you the most.”
With Patrick Mahomes already sidelined for the season because of a torn ACL, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew made his first start of the year. His outing was cut short early in the second quarter when he suffered a knee injury. Reid said Minshew will undergo an MRI.
That forced Kansas City to turn to Chris Oladokun, who had just been promoted from the practice squad. Oladokun completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and helped the Chiefs produce three field goals, all kicked by Harrison Butker.
Tennessee’s offense controlled the game. Ward tossed a 7-yard shovel-pass touchdown to Chig Okonkwo late in the first half, then connected with fellow rookie Chimere Dike for a 1-yard score in the third quarter. Ward also surpassed Marcus Mariota for the most passing yards by a rookie in franchise history.
Tony Pollard rushed for 102 yards, marking his third consecutive 100-yard game — a first in his career. Tyjae Spears added a 4-yard touchdown run, and Joey Slye capped the scoring with a 27-yard field goal.
Defensively, Jeffery Simmons delivered a standout performance. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle tackled Kareem Hunt in the end zone for a safety early in the second quarter and finished with two pass deflections as the Titans recorded four sacks.
“Jeff is just Jeff,” McCoy said. “The leadership, the plays — he sets the tone.”
Kansas City entered the game severely shorthanded, with Mahomes and right tackle Jawaan Taylor on injured reserve. The Chiefs also ruled out nine players before kickoff, including starters Rashee Rice, Jaylon Moore, and Trent McDuffie.
A potential Pollard touchdown late in the fourth quarter was erased when Simmons was flagged for illegal formation after failing to report as eligible. Simmons said he believed officials clearly saw him attempting to report.
Injury-wise, Titans left tackle Dan Moore briefly exited with a knee issue but returned, while cornerback Marcus Harris left in the second quarter and did not come back.
Next up, the Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. The Titans return home again next Sunday to face the New Orleans Saints.
