FULL BOX SCORE
Kevin Patra’s takeaways to come:
Cam Ward flashes big-play ability as Titans blow out Chiefs. The No. 1 overall pick played the best overall game of his career. Ward avoided big mistakes and splashed big plays as the Titans rolled over the Chiefs. The rookie’s ability to make spectacular throws is breathtaking at times. Early in the third quarter, Ward avoided a sack, was flushed left, and heaved the pigskin 30 yards downfield to Chimere Dike . The ability to make a strong throw despite getting hit, unable to step into it, displayed Ward’s massive arm strength. It wasn’t a perfect outing, with Ward missing high at times. However, the rookie is showing incremental development by the week. Sunday, he displayed the ability to manage a muddy pocket and got rid of the ball versus the blitz — 9 of 13 for 117 yards and a TD with two sacks versus the blitz. Ward was excellent on third downs, going 7 of 10 for 102 yards on the pivotal down. These last few weeks of the season are all about Ward’s development. Sunday was a great sign of things to come.Oladokun takes over under center for Chiefs. Gardner Minshew’s run as the starter lasted one quarter. Taking the place of the injured Patrick Mahomes, Minshew exited with a knee injury and didn’t return. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Chiefs believe Minshew suffered a torn ACL. Chris Oladokun , a former seventh-round pick who’s been on the Chiefs’ practice squad since 2022, played the bulk of the game. As expected, the Chiefs attempted to lean on the running game with the third-string QB in the game, but as it has all season, K.C.’s ground attack couldn’t find traction (51 yards on 15 rush attempts). Oladokun peppered a few nice throws out of the structure of the offense, but he was mostly relegated to short tosses. The 28-year-old went 11 of 16 for 111 yards. With the Chiefs out of postseason contention, Oladokun is in line to make his first career start for K.C. on Christmas Day against Denver.Simmons continues dominant campaign. Jeffery Simmons showed why he’s a shoo-in Pro Bowler, dominating the beleaguered Chiefs’ offensive line early. The star lineman controlled the line of scrimmage, batting two passes and generating two tackles for loss. One of those TFLs came early in the second quarter, when he knifed into the backfield and took Kareem Hunt down in the end zone for a safety. Simmons added three QB pressures and three tackles in the Titans’ third victory of the season. It’s been mostly a dismal season in Tennessee, but Simmons is a beaming bright spot.
Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Chiefs (via NFL Pro): Tony Pollard recorded 102 rushing yards on 21 carries. Pollard generated a season-high 101 yards after contact, the most allowed by the Kansas City defense to any running back this season. He also forced eight missed tackles, resulting in 41 additional yards gained on the ground.
NFL Research: Chimere Dike is the fourth rookie in NFL history with at least four receiving touchdowns and multiple punt return touchdowns, joining Tyreek Hill (2016), Dez Bryant (2010) and Eddie Kennison (1996).