Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward secured his first NFL victory on October 5, 2025, leading a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 22-21 at State Farm Stadium. The Titans trailed 21-6 at halftime but scored 16 unanswered points in the final quarter, snapping their 10-game losing streak that dated back to the previous season. [1][2]
Ward’s Fourth-Quarter Performance
Ward completed only 5 of 16 passes for 58 yards in the first half but transformed his play after intermission. [3] The first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft finished with a career-high 265 passing yards. [1][2]
He connected on three critical throws late in the game. Ward delivered a 47-yard deep ball to Calvin Ridley and added a 38-yard completion to Ridley that positioned the Titans for the game-winning field goal. [3] He also found tight end Gunnar Helm with a perfect 19-yard over-the-shoulder pass that reached the 1-yard line, setting up a Tony Pollard touchdown run. [3]
“I wish I would have started better personally, but at the end of the day it does not matter how you start. It is how you finish,” Ward said after the game. [1]
Cardinals Mistakes Changed the Outcome
Arizona controlled the game through three quarters but committed two costly errors in the fourth quarter that handed Tennessee the victory. [4][5]
Demercado’s Goal Line Fumble
Cardinals running back Emari Demercado broke free on a 72-yard run that appeared to seal the game. However, he fumbled the ball into the end zone before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback that gave possession back to the Titans at their 20-yard line. [3][6]
ESPN analyst Scott Van Pelt called it one of the most improbable wins he had witnessed, saying he had no idea how the Titans managed to emerge victorious. [1]
Taylor-Demerson’s Fumbled Interception
Later in the fourth quarter, Cardinals safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson intercepted a tipped Ward pass intended for Ridley. However, Taylor-Demerson fumbled the ball, and Titans receiver Tyler Lockett recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown that cut the deficit to 21-19. [3][4]
The Game-Winning Drive
After a defensive stop, Ward took the field with his team trailing by two points and less than two minutes remaining. He completed three of four passes on the drive, capped by the 38-yard completion to Ridley. [2]
Kicker Joey Slye converted a 29-yard field goal on the final play to secure the 22-21 victory. [1][2]
Coaching Staff and Teammates React
Head coach Brian Callahan praised Ward’s clutch execution. “Cam made big plays when we needed him to,” Callahan said. “Sometimes you have got to have things go your way a little bit.” [5][7]
Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons told Ward after the game that his composure was why the Titans selected him first overall. “I do not know how many rookie quarterbacks could have that type of poise,” Simmons stated. [3]
Ward Addresses Earlier Comments
After falling to 0-4 earlier in the season, Ward had described the team’s performance with harsh language. He later told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that the locker room respected his candor. [4]
“We needed it known how we were not complementing each other on both sides of the ball,” Ward explained. “The biggest thing is that the guys in the locker room respected it. They know how I feel.” [4]
Callahan discussed the comments with Ward and advised him to be mindful of how his words might affect others. [4]
Looking Forward
The win improved Tennessee’s record to 1-4 and dropped Arizona to 2-3. [2] Despite his career-best performance, Ward remained focused on consistency and preparation for the Titans’ Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. [3][4]
“We still have a lot to just prove to ourselves, just from an execution standpoint,” Ward said on October 9. [8]
The victory marked a significant milestone for Ward but required multiple fortunate breaks. The Titans will seek to build momentum as they attempt to climb out of last place in the AFC South standings. [2]
