Well, it won’t be Cam Ward versus Patrick Mahomes.

The Tennessee Titans (2-12) host the Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 21 (noon CT, CBS) in an exceedingly rare situation for the Chiefs. The Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention, marking the first time in a decade Kansas City won’t be in the playoffs and the first game in Andy Reid’s tenure as Chiefs coach where his team plays a meaningless game.

And he’ll coach that game without Mahomes, his three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee on Dec. 14 and is out for the remainder of the season.

So now it’s Ward, the Titans’ rookie No. 1 pick who’s drawn several comparisons to Mahomes stylistically, against journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew. Minshew should be no stranger for Titans fans; he’s started games against the Titans with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts, and appeared in a game against the Titans while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Will the worst Chiefs team in recent memory, missing its superstar quarterback, be susceptible enough to defeat that this Titans team can swoop in a steal a win? Here are The Tennessean’s scouting report and score prediction.

Tennessee Titans vs Kansas City Chiefs: Our scouting report, score predictionsTitans offense vs Chiefs defense

Even as the Chiefs have lost five of their last six, it’s been hard to blame the defense. They’ve only allowed 30 points once in the stretch. Takeaway rates have dropped, but the Chiefs still rank among the NFL’s best run defenses, which matches strength vs strength with the way the Titans have played recently. Running back Tony Pollard is coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances, his first two of the season. The only running back to rush for 100 yards against the Chiefs in the last two seasons is Buffalo’s James Cook, so the Titans’ recent strategy might run up against a road block.

Advantage: Chiefs

Titans defense vs Chiefs offense

It’s hard to make too many guarantees about how the Chiefs offense will look with Minshew replacing Mahomes. But the reality is, even with Mahomes, the Chiefs’ offense has been as turnover prone as any in the last two months. The Chiefs have turned the ball over 11 times in their last seven games, including four games with multiple turnovers and five giveaways in the last two weeks. The Chiefs are also top-five in the NFL in most quarterback pressures allowed. But the Titans’ defense is banged up to a startling degree, especially at safety and linebacker, so if the Chiefs can count on tight end Travis Kelce to play like his old self for one game, a lot of those problems could be mitigated.

Advantage: Push

Chiefs vs Titans gambling odds, betting line, favorites

The Chiefs are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Titans, per BetMGM. The Chiefs moneyline is set at -190, and the Titans moneyline is set at +155. The over-under is set at 37.5 points.

Score prediction: Chiefs 23, Titans 20

It’s hard to believe this matchup might even be close. But with Mahomes on crutches, and the Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention, the Titans might have a shot. Expect a close game, and perhaps an ugly game. But don’t put your life’s savings on the upset.

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.