Shough Stakes Claim as Starter while Ward Flashes Potential in Saints’ Week 17 Win

The Week 17 clash at Nissan Stadium was billed as a battle of rookie quarterbacks at opposite ends of the spectrum. On one sideline stood Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans’ prized No. 1 overall pick, carrying the weight of a franchise reset. On the other was Tyler Shough, the New Orleans Saints’ undrafted revelation, fighting to prove he belongs in the NFL’s long-term plans. By the time the clock hit zero on New Orleans’ 34-26 victory, both signal-callers had left an indelible mark on their respective organizations, though the implications of the result suggest very different offseason trajectories for these two franchises.

While the box score will record a win for the Saints and a loss for the Titans, the true story lies in what this game revealed about the future of two teams in transition. Here are the major takeaways from Sunday’s shootout in Nashville.

Tyler Shough Complicates the Saints’ Offense Plans

For a team that entered the season with major questions under center, the Saints might have stumbled upon an answer late in the year. Tyler Shough is doing everything in his power to force the front office to reconsider their draft strategy. Shough posted his second consecutive 300-yard game, carving up the Titans’ secondary for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-27 passing.

This was not simply game management. It was a statement. Shough displayed poise in the pocket and an ability to push the ball downfield, evidenced by a 60-yard strike to Chris Olave and a go-ahead touchdown to Kevin Austin Jr. with just over six minutes remaining. Now sitting at 5-3 as a starter, Shough has led New Orleans to four consecutive wins.

The implication here is massive. If Shough proves he is a viable QB1, New Orleans can use their first-round pick to address other glaring needs rather than gambling on a quarterback. His chemistry with Olave and his command of Kellen Moore’s offense suggest that the Saints might not need a total rebuild at the position, but rather a retooling around a quarterback who is rapidly gaining confidence.

Cam Ward’s Historic Milestone Amidst Growing Pains

The Titans fell to 3-13, but the organization has to be encouraged by the raw talent of Cam Ward. despite the loss, Ward threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season.

Ward’s performance was a microcosm of his rookie campaign: flashes of brilliance punctuated by moments of vulnerability. He made several “wow” plays that brought the Nissan Stadium crowd to its feet, including escaping a near-certain sack to convert a long third down and rifling a touchdown pass just before halftime.

However, the Titans need to see this as a sign to build aggressively around him. Ward was under siege for much of the afternoon, including a strip-sack by Chase Young that resulted in a defensive touchdown. The takeaway for Tennessee is clear. They have the quarterback. Now they must use their high draft capital to build a wall in front of him and add weapons that can help him turn those yards into wins in 2026.

The Saints Defense Plays for Pride and Paydays

There is often a narrative that players check out mentally when the playoffs are out of reach. Cameron Jordan and the Saints defense shattered that perception on Sunday. The veteran defensive end recorded a sack that did more than just stall a Titans drive; it triggered a $600,000 performance bonus in his contract.

The raw emotion and celebration following that play highlighted a culture that is still fighting hard for head coach Dennis Allen. The defense was opportunistic throughout the day. Chase Young’s 33-yard scoop-and-score was a game-changing play that showcased his athleticism and motor.

For New Orleans, this defensive effort signifies that the veteran core is not ready to be put out to pasture. They are playing inspired football down the stretch, which creates a complex dynamic for the front office regarding who to keep and who to move in the offseason.

Special Teams Resilience Defined the Day

Rookie kickers often crumble after a mistake, but Charlie Smyth showed the kind of mental fortitude that keeps players in the league for a long time. After missing from 43 yards, Smyth rebounded to hit from 56 yards and then set a new career-high with a 58-yarder.

In a game decided by eight points, those kicks were the difference. For a Saints team that has struggled with special teams consistency in the past, finding a kicker who can bounce back from adversity and hit from long range is a significant development. It serves as another building block for 2026, checking off a crucial box on the roster construction list.

The Draft Position Dilemma

Perhaps the most significant takeaway affects the transaction wire more than the field. With the win, the Saints improved to 6-10. While winning breeds a positive culture, it also undeniably hurts their draft position. New Orleans entered the week projecting around the No. 8 pick. This victory likely pushes them outside the top 10, potentially as far back as 11th depending on other results.

Conversely, the Titans’ loss keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-five selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. For a rebuilding team, this loss might actually be a long-term win. Tennessee is positioned to grab a blue-chip prospect to pair with Ward. Meanwhile, the Saints are playing their way out of elite draft range, banking on the idea that the momentum and culture built during this winning streak are more valuable than moving up three or four spots in April.

As the Saints head to Week 18 to face Atlanta and the Titans prepare for Jacksonville, both teams have clear identities. The Titans are a team of the future, enduring the bumps of a rookie QB. The Saints are a team refusing to quit, led by a quarterback who is playing like his career depends on it because it likely does.