The Tennessee Titans were defeated 37-24 by the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s Week 15 contest. The Titans dropped to 2-12, but remained No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft order due to fellow losses
for the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders. We’ve conjured up five observations from Sunday’s latest setback.
Secondary all out of sorts
The Titans’ secondary entered the game with rookies Kevin Winston Jr. (nickel) and Marcus Harris (boundary) playing out of position for the third straight week. Reserve safety Mike Brown went down with an injury, and then Winston left with a hamstring. Dennard Wilson responded by putting Kendell Brooks at safety with Xavier Woods, moving Amani Hooker to nickel. Well, Woods then left with a hamstring injury, forcing Wilson to shuffle again. Harris went to nickel, Hooker went back to safety (with Brooks) and Kaiir Elam entered to play cornerback opposite Darrell Baker Jr.
Cam Ward from a clean pocket
The Titans’ offensive line has consistently improved in recent weeks. They were excellent in pass protection last week and that largely continued versus the 49ers. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was especially sharp throughout the first half, going 10-of-150 for 1o5 yards and a touchdown. This 34-yard passing score from Ward to Gunnar Helm was a thing of beauty.
Responding up front
Speaking of that offensive line, they had to shuffle the lineup as well. Center Lloyd Cushenberry returned from a multi-week injury, but Dan Moore Jr. missed the game at left tackle, with Oli Udoh stepping up. Tony Pollard rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown via 13 carries (7.5 YPC) and Ward was not sacked. The offensive line has drastically improved in recent weeks.
Missed Cam Ward opportunity
As effective as Ward was throughout the first half, one glaring misfire hurt the offense. Ward missed a wide-open Jefferson on a 1st-and-10 from the 49ers’ 40-yard line with 19 seconds left. Jefferson had won deep on a double move and may have scored a walk-in touchdown had the rookie quarterback connected with his veteran wideout. The Titans only gained eight more yards on that possession and Joey Slye missed a 50-yard field goal.
Draft order
As mentioned, the Titans remained at No. 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft order after the Giants and Raiders also loss. Essentially every bottom-feeding team lost in Week 15, including the Jets, Saints, Cardinals, and Browns. It’s a reminder that the Titans won’t have an easy time moving back up the draft order following their Week 14 victory over the Browns, though it’s worth acknowledging the Raiders-Giants play in Week 16.
This Jeffery Simmons TD was AWESOME
Scramble drill TD to Jeffery Simmons? Scramble drill TD to Jeffery Simmons!
