Dec 22, 2025
3 min read
Expert recap and play-by-play analysis of the Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game on December 21, 2025 on ESPN.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Tennessee Titans
The Titans knocked Gardner Minshew out of the game and ended an 11-game homestand, beating the Chiefs 26-9
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- - The Tennessee Titans spent a few extra minutes celebrating a rare victory for a franchise struggling through its fourth straight losing season.
They deserve to enjoy their first home win in more than a year
Cam Ward threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns as the Titans beat the Kansas City Chiefs 26-9 on Sunday.
“A really good team won,” interim coach Mike McCoy said.“It has to be that way. It’s been a while since we’ve won a home game here.”
The Titans (3-12) improved to 1-7 at home this season, ending the team's worst skid since moving to Tennessee in 1997. They suffered an 11-game losing streak in 2014-15, a stretch during which the coach was fired early in his second season and served on an interim basis. Sunday was their first home win since Nov. 3, 2024.
"It's a good win because for the first time we played well, complementing each other in all three phases," Ward said.
With two games remaining, the Chiefs (6-9) are assured of their first losing record since 2012 - their most recent season without Andy Reid as coach.
"Nobody likes to lose in this business," Reed said."But my hat's off to the guys that have been coming together for so many years. That's part of it. We can learn from it and we have to in the future. Sometimes a good kick in the tail helps you, the coaches and the players."
A week after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear, his backup Gardner Minshew was removed from the game early in the second quarter with a knee injury.Reid said after the game that he had no results and Minshew would have an MRI.
Ward posted his highest passer rating this season at 122.3 and passed Marcus Mariota for most passing yards by a franchise rookie.He helped the Titans achieve a season-high 376 yards of offense against a Chiefs defense that ranked eighth stingiest in the NFL in yards allowed.
The rookie threw a 7-yard pass to Chigo Okonkwo to give the Titans the lead in the first half.Ward also found rookie Chimere Dike for a 1-yard TD in the third quarter.
Tony Pollard rushed for 102 yards, giving him three consecutive 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his career.Tyjae Spears added a 4-yard rushing TD and Joey Slye had a 27-yard field goal for the final margin.
Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeffery Simmons tackled Kareem Hunt for a safety in the end zone on a 2-0 count early in the second quarter.Simmons also passed.The Titans finished with four sacks.
"Once again, Jeff is Jeff," McCoy said."What he's done, he's gotten safety, the way he's played, the way he's driving. It's incredible."
The struggling Chiefs entered the game with Mahomes on injured reserve and right tackle Joan Taylor.They also announced nine players on Friday, including five starters led by wide receiver Rushie Rice, left tackle Jaylen Moore and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Minshew made his first start this season. After he was injured, the Chiefs turned to Chris Oladokun, who just signed to the practice squad, to play in just the second game of his career.
"I might be able to offer him a better job," Reed said of Oldukon. "Give him a few more reps, especially this week. He didn't have the reps to lead, but I thought he did a great job given what was asked of him."
Oladokun took the first five snaps.He then connected with Travis Kelce for his first NFL completion, and Oladokun led the Chiefs to a trio of Harrison Butker field goals.The quarterback completed 11 of 16 for 111 yards.
The Titans has a 1-yard TD run by prard that is removed from the board with about 4 minutes remaining.Simmons were flagged for illegal formation for not reporting as eligible for referee cleet Blaeman.
The defender felt it was too big to miss.
"I mean, I'm a defensive player," Simmons said."He's wearing a big ring, a red ring, and he's looking at you, raising his arm and rubbing his chest (pointing to his number 98). See you?"
Titans lieutenant Dan Moore injured his right knee early in the second quarter but returned.CB Marcus Harris suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return to the field.
The Chiefs host Denver on Thursday night.
The Titans host New Orleans next week.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
|AFC Western |
|Denver |12 |3 |0 |.800 |362 |295 |
|Los Angeles |11 |4 |0 |.733 |349 |301 |
| Kensas City | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | 337 | 294 |
|Vegas |2 |13 |0 |133 |217 |386 |
| AFC Nam |W |L |T | PCT | PF | PA |
|Jacksonville |11 |4 |0 |,733 |410 |312 |
|Houston |10 |10 5 |0 |.667 |346 |346 249 |249
|Indianapolis |8 |6 |0 |.571 |392 |303 |
|Tennessee |3 |12 |0 |.200 |251 |403 |
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