Cam Ward just passed his first big career milestone with win over Cardinals

The 2025 Tennessee Titans season is all about evaluating rookie quarterback Cam Ward. In four consecutive losses to begin the campaign, the Titans routinely let Ward down via dropped passes, poor offensive line play, and errors on defense. It's made the evaluation process a frustrating one.

It's an ongoing exercise. Sunday's Week 5 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals offered the team another opportunity to learn about their first-year quarterback. In the end, Ward aced the most important test of all.

The Titans entered the fourth quarter trailing 21-6. That's when Cardinals running back Emari Emercado made an inexplicable error. Emercado fumbled a would-be 72-yard touchdown a yard early, resulting in a touchback and Titans ball. That's when Ward began mounting an unlikely come-from-behind win.

Titans QB Cam Ward displays face-of-the-franchise talent in unbelievable Week 5 comeback win

Ward and the offense took over posession following the Emercado blunder and marched 80 yards on seven plays for a TD. Ward earned 79 of those yards, including a 47-yard completion to Calvin Ridley on a keynote 3rd-and-10. Joey Slye missed the extra point, and the Titans still trailed 21-12.

After the Cardinals went three-and-out, Ward completed a 16-yard pass to Chig Okonkwo on his first attempt of the ensuing possession. It was a drive that eventually ended with an all-time play. Ward's 3rd-and-2 pass from the Cardinals' 20-yard line was intercepted near the end zone, but Dadrion Taylor-Demerson fumbled it and Tyler Lockett recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting Arizona's lead to 21-19. Just how the Titans drew it up.

Dennard Wilson's defense forced another punt. Ward received the ball with 1:50 remaining, marking his first opportunity in five games to string together a game-winning drive. Ward, like he did so many times at Miami, took full advantage.

Ward completed three consecutive short passes to convert a first down. On 2nd-and-10 from his own 31, the former Hurricanes signal-caller found Okonkwo for 16 yards. The next play was essentially the game winner, with Ward hitting Calvin Ridley on a pinpoint accurate over-the-shoulder ball for 38 yards to Arizona's 15.

Slye redeemed himself, converting a game-winning field goal as time expired. It was the Titans' first victory since last November, following 10 consecutive defeats. A sense of relief surrounded the organization.

There's no denying the Cardinals choked. But as the Titans mounted a comeback in the final three drives, the second-most improbale win of the campaign, per Next Gen Stats, Ward was 13-of-19 for 193 yards while scoring 16 unanswered. What came before the final drive didn't matter; Ward rose to the occasion, and that's why the Titans believe they have their franchise quarterback.