Terry McCormick has covered the Tennessee Titans since 1997 and is the publisher of Titan Insider. A Broncos fan as a kid, McCormick joined The Denver Gazette as our Week 1 Q&A:

The Denver Gazette: What is the feeling in Nashville toward quarterback Cam Ward?

Terry McCormick: “There’s excitement about Cam Ward. People are excited about the idea of a rookie quarterback who can play. But I don’t necessarily think there’s excitement about the team. They’ve been so bad the last few years. The offensive line is not very good. There’s not many playmakers on offense. People are excited about Cam Ward because it shows a fresh start at the quarterback position, but they realize this team has a long way to go.”

DG: What have been Ward’s strengths and weaknesses so far?

McCormick: “For one thing, he has a very calm and cool demeanor. He doesn’t seem to get rattled after mistakes; mistakes don’t seem to bother him for long. He does seem to get the ball out of his hands quickly and make decisions fast. This team needs that. (Previous QB) Will Levis was a play-action quarterback behind a terrible offensive line in Mike Vrabel’s system. I think Ward is still going to take some sacks, but he does have a quicker trigger. That should help this offense. He seems to be an all-football, all-the-time kind of guy. He seems to be engrossed in football. That’s always a good sign.”

DG: What’s a successful season for this Titans team?

McCormick: “I think keeping Cam Ward in one piece. (And) him making progress so that by the end of year one he’s on track to be the long-term answer at quarterback. Two, even though this team isn’t focused on wins and losses, you want to see progress to prevent the impulsive owner (Amy Adams Strunk) from firing Brian Callahan — therefore, bring in a new coaching staff, a cardinal sin with a new quarterback. She’s not been popular with her decisions. She’s George Steinbrenner without the availability.”

DG: Why are the Titans building a new Nissan Stadium?

Your daily report on everything sports in Colorado – covering the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and columns from Woody Paige and Paul Klee.

Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

McCormick: “They want a place where they can host major events. Nashville has grown population-wise where it can host major events, not just Titans football — Super Bowls, Final Fours, College Football Playoffs — the events you see in large-market cities. The current venue wasn’t compatible to those type of things. It was going to cost almost as much to refurbish as to build a new stadium. It’s billed as a state-of-the art building (opening for the 2027 season).”

DG: What’s the path to a Titans upset on Sunday?

McCormick: “The Broncos’ bus breaking down? I don’t know. It’s hard to see. I think everything would have to go right for the Titans. The offensive line would have to protect Cam Ward. Tony Pollard has to carry the ball 20-plus times. The Titans win the turnover battle.

“I don’t know where the pass rush is going to come from. But a couple picks and a fumble return, or a big play on special teams, those types of things have to happen. But this team has not blocked a punt since 2012 or returned a punt for a touchdown since 2013.”

DG: Prediction for the game?

McCormick: “Broncos 27, Titans 16.

“Cam Ward goes 17-for-26 for 200 yards, one interception and one touchdown. Remember, Marcus Mariota threw four TD passes in his first game. Will Levis threw four TDs in his first game. The Titans are really hoping Cam Ward doesn’t throw four TD passes in his first game.”