Cam Ward's Week 1 performance was not good enough. He went 19-of-32 for 140 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, but he averaged just 4.4 yards per attempt while the Tennessee Titans managed only 195 total yards in a 23-10 loss.
Ward's lone touchdown came with 2:42 left, after the Jets had already built a 23-3 lead. It helped his final numbers, but it was garbage time. Tennessee completed some easy passes, but they never got the passing game going. The Jets never had to adjust to anything down the field.
That is why the Week 2 conversation cannot just be, “Fix the offensive line.” The line had some protection issues, but Ward also bailed from a few pockets early. He has to own his part of an ugly opener too.
Cam Ward needs to trust the pocket before trying to make something happen
PFF’s grades were mixed, but the All-22 showed the offensive line was not nearly as bad as some people made it out to be. They had their issues, but there were plenty of snaps where the protection held up well enough.
This is not a call for Ward to stop moving. He was actually at his best when he got outside the pocket and hit a quick four- or five-yard throw. Ward’s movement skills can be an advantage, but only if it leads somewhere. Escaping the pocket should create a throwing lane, extend the play or give him room to run.
The concern comes when Ward commits to running. Against the Jets, he looked hesitant to turn upfield and seemed more focused on avoiding contact than finishing the scramble. He does not need to challenge defenders, but he has to run decisively and protect himself with a slide.
Cam Ward has to push the ball downfield for Titans offense in Week 2
According to PFF, 20 of the 27 passes they charted by depth traveled 9 yards or fewer. Ward completed just 2 of 7 attempts that traveled at least 10 yards, and the Titans’ longest completion gained only 14 yards.
The Titans do not need to start forcing deep shots. They need Ward to hit enough intermediate throws and take an occasional chance deep to keep this fierce Eagles defense from sitting on everything underneath.
That responsibility does not fall entirely on Ward. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has to give him clear chances to attack downfield, and Ward has to hit them. A few completions beyond 10 yards would force the Eagles to defend more than the short part of the field.
Titans fans cannot take another Sunday like Week 1. There was too much hype around this season for the offense to come out that flat and never threaten the Jets downfield. Ward wore a shirt about throwing a “seed” before the opener, then gave fans nothing close to one. Against the Eagles, it is time to back up the shirt.
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