Cam Ward and Tyler Shough face off in NFL a year after ACC dual

Cam Ward and Tyler Shough don't need an introduction. They already faced off in an ACC QB dual just over a year ago, and now they're getting the sequel on an NFL field. Ward's Tennessee Titans host Shough's New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST.

Cam Ward vs. Tyler Shough

The last time Ward and Shough shared a field was Oct. 19, 2024, when Ward's No. 6 Miami team beat Shough and Louisville 52-45 in a full-on track meet. Ward went 21 of 32 for 319 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Shough nearly matched him throw for throw, finishing 31 of 51 for 342 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.

The two QB's basically spent four quarters trading haymakers, and Louisville even scored with 54 seconds left to make it a one-score game, but Miami held on.

Now it's a different setting. Ward, of course, is the bigger name nationally. Tennessee took him No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft, and he's started from Day 1 for a Titans team that has spent most of the season at the bottom of the NFL. Through 15 games, Ward has thrown for 2,866 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Titans are coming off of a 26-9 win over the Chiefs in which Ward threw two touchdown passes.

Shough was drafted in the second round (40th overall) by New Orleans, but he opened the season behind Spencer Rattler before taking over near the middle of the season. Since then, New Orleans has gone 4-3 behind Shough and built a three-game winning streak. Shough has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1,792 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

The NFL version of this matchup probably won't hit 97 total points, but the game still has that same quarterback-competition feel.