Raiders Rise, Titans Tumble: Rookie Cam Ward Struggles as Vegas Finds Its Groove
October 14, 2025
Two teams, two records, both sit at 1-4 making this game a crucial “get-right” opportunity. The Titans are led by rookie QB Cam Ward who was the NO. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft. The Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is out with a knee injury, forcing adjustments to their offensive game plan.
The Raiders struck early with a 50-yard field goal to open the scoring. In the second quarter, a 4-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to Michael Mayer extended the lead. In the third quarter, Ashton Jeanty added a 3-yard rushing touchdown to the Raiders score to further push the Raiders ahead. The Titans responded with a 46-yard field goal, but the Raiders answered with another field goal in the 4th quarter. The Titans needed to close the gap and did with a late 1-yard touchdown pass from Cam Ward to David Martin-Robinson. The Raiders pulled off the win, defeating the Titans 20-10. The loss deepens the Titans’ struggles putting them at 1-5 to face the Patriots in week 7. While the Raiders will advance to 2-4 to face the Kansas City Chiefs in week 7.
Star Rookies
Ashton Jeanty: Ashton Jeanty was one of the highest rated rookies coming into the 2025 season. However his preseason did not look great, lowering his odds of being the RB that he was expected to be, but looking into week 7 next week, he has started to look a lot better, with 349 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, with a carry average of 4.3 yards. Ashton Jeanty has looked very consistent these first few weeks which is meaningful for a rookie, especially in the early season. In college he was known for creating yards even when defenders got in his face. That trait is still visible, when the lane closes quickly, he’s shown the ability to fight forward. He’s already gotten into the endzone, giving the raiders a redzone weapon, and a lifeline for short yard situations.
Cam Ward was selected NO.1 overall by the Titans in the 2025 NFL draft. He signed a rookie contract and joined a franchise aiming to rebuild through his development, however, Cam Ward has not looked very great in the season so far, but in college he was a top 5 quarterback that was expected to come to the NFL and be near perfect. He does have arm talent and can definitely sling the ball downfield, he has connected on many of these deep plays, but they are not always successful as we’ve seen.
Chris, Guest Author
The Goal Line Grind 