It’s time for the Cam Ward era of Tennessee Titans football to start up.
Coming off a 3-14 performance in 2024 in coach Brian Callahan‘s first season in Nashville, the Titans begin their 2025 NFL season Sept. 7 on the road against the Denver Broncos (3:05 p.m. CT, FOX) with the promise and hope that comes from Ward, the first No. 1 quarterback pick in franchise history.
Ward and Callahan lead a revamped offense that features playmakers such as Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett and Tony Pollard, plus a rejuvenated offensive line. Perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons leads a defense that includes top contributors Cody Barton, L’Jarius Sneed, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and T’Vondre Sweat.
Here are The Tennessean’s game-by-game Titans predictions for 2025.
Titans predictions for 2025 seasonSept. 7: Titans at Broncos
Empower Field at Mile High, 3:05 p.m. CT
Denver’s defense is a tough draw for Ward in his NFL debut. The Titans’ rebuilt offensive line will be tested and may well prove itself capable. But there’s just too much talent on that Broncos roster to pick the Titans here.
Score prediction: Broncos 24, Titans 17
Sept. 14: Titans vs Rams
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
Matthew Stafford’s health questions aside, the Rams are simply a deeper team with bigger aspirations than the Titans. Consider this one a tough matchup, particularly given the Rams’ talents on the perimeter.
Score prediction: Rams 34, Titans 24
Sept. 21: Titans vs Colts
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
The Colts have had the Titans’ number as of late, but it’s time to win it back. Ward’s first win comes on a day where he clearly outplays the messy room opposite him.
Score prediction: Titans 30, Colts 14
Sept. 28: Titans at Texans
NRG Stadium, noon CT
The Texans’ weak spot is on the offensive line. Luckily for them, the Titans’ weak spot is their perimeter pass rush. C.J. Stroud survives this one.
Score prediction: Texans 28, Titans 20
State Farm Stadium, 3:05 p.m. CT
The Cardinals are more talented top-to-bottom than they get credit for, and the Titans have struggled with athletic quarterbacks recently. It’s a worse matchup than you’d think.
Score prediction: Cardinals 26, Titans 13
Oct. 12: Titans at Raiders
Allegiant Stadium, 3:05 p.m. CT
Three weeks on the road is tough. Even if the Raiders’ roster isn’t all that impressive, this game has slog written all over it.
Score prediction: Raiders 14, Titans 10
Oct. 19: Titans vs Patriots
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
Ward has no extra motivation to best Mike Vrabel in his return to Nashville, but the folks who sign his checks sure do. Expect the Titans to pull out every stop to beat the Pats again this year, and for Ward to pull it off.
Score prediction: Titans 23, Patriots 21
Oct. 26: Titans at Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium, 3:25 p.m. CT
The Titans finish off the quick, early-season sweep of the Colts here, cementing their status as the not-worst team in the AFC South.
Score prediction: Titans 33, Colts 24
Nov. 2: Titans vs Chargers
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
The little midseason pick-me-up comes crashing down when the technically sound Chargers come to town and grind the Titans down.
Score prediction: Chargers 20, Titans 14
Nov. 16: Titans vs Texans
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
It’s getting late in the year, and the Texans’ defense has a little too much talent. If there’s one game on the schedule that will remind folks that Ward is a rookie, this’ll be it.
Score prediction: Texans 37, Titans 17
Nov. 23: Titans vs Seahawks
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
Callahan and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson are plenty familiar with Seattle coach Mike Macdonald. That carries enough currency to keep this game close, but not enough for the upset.
Score prediction: Seahawks 26, Titans 20 (F/OT)
Nov. 30: Titans vs Jaguars
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
It’s late enough in the year that the Titans are drawing Jacksonville when the new schemes and strategies have solidified. That takes this from a toss-up to a Jags advantage.
Score prediction: Jaguars 21, Titans 17
Dec. 7: Titans at Browns
Huntington Bank Field, noon CT
The Cleveland winter can be awfully unforgiving, and Myles Garrett still looms. Another game with high slog potential.
Score prediction: Browns 19, Titans 13
Dec. 14: Titans at 49ers
Levi’s Stadium, 3:25 p.m. CT
It’s time for this team to show some growth. The 49ers aren’t the behemoths they were a couple of years ago, but this is still a quality opponent who the Titans go on the road to upset and snap a rough losing streak.
Score prediction: Titans 28, 49ers 16
Dec. 21: Titans vs Chiefs
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
It’s too late in the season for the Chiefs to play around in a game like this. Playoff seeding will be at stake, and the Titans will be dispatched.
Score prediction: Chiefs 34, Titans 27
Dec. 28: Titans vs Saints
Nissan Stadium, noon CT
Opposite situation of the Chiefs. The Saints will be in the fight for draft position here, and the Titans will be playing for their futures.
Score prediction: Titans 33, Saints 19
TBD: Titans at Jaguars
EverBank Stadium, TBD
Unlike the past few years, things start looking up for the Titans at the end of the season. Even if that doesn’t translate into wins in games like these, the reasons for optimism heading into 2026 are bountiful.
Score prediction: Jaguars 35, Titans 31
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.