Cam Ward’s Career-best Fantasy Game Makes Him a Week 9 Waiver Target

WHO:

CBS Sports - Cam Ward is the Titans quarterback; Tennessee head coach Robert Saleh discussed Ward’s performance.

CBS Sports - Ward’s teammates, running back Tony Pollard, and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll were credited by Saleh with contributing to the passing game.

CBS Sports - Saleh identified veteran receivers Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson as among the players responsible for drops.

CBS Sports - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Titans safety Amani Hooker were involved in the game; Hooker recorded three interceptions.

CBS Sports - The article listed Tyler Allgeier, Adonai Mitchell, Gardner Minshew, Emmett Johnson, Harold Fannin Jr., and Bucky Irving among notable Week 8 fantasy performers.

WHAT:

CBS Sports - Ward recorded a career-high 304 passing yards and two touchdowns, with a 104.6 passer rating, in Tennessee’s 43–36 overtime loss to Cincinnati. He also ran for 41 yards on seven carries.

Draft Sharks - Ward’s 304 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 41 rushing yards on seven carries constituted a career-best fantasy outing.

CBS Sports - Saleh called Ward’s performance “a really cool step in the right direction” and said the offense “still left a lot of yards out there.” He said Ward needed to improve his ball security.

CBS Sports - Saleh credited Pollard’s success with helping open up play-action passes and praised Daboll for scheming players open. Pollard gained 117 yards and scored twice; Saleh said Pollard had five touchdowns across back-to-back 100-yard games.

CBS Sports - Saleh said receiver drops were happening “way too often, in critical moments,” and said both Ward and the receivers needed to improve.

CBS Sports - Cincinnati recorded 510 offensive yards, including 462 passing yards and five passing touchdowns by Burrow.

CBS Sports - Saleh praised Hooker, who had three interceptions in the game and five in eight games, calling him “really playing at a Pro Bowl level.”

CBS Sports - Saleh said tight end Gunnar Helm would remain involved; Helm caught five passes for 76 yards.

CBS Sports - Saleh said defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was playing through “a very, very bad injury.”

CBS Sports - Allgeier had 147 rushing yards on 11 carries, plus 44 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. The article said he could become an RB2 if Jeremiyah Love misses time.

CBS Sports - Jets receiver Mitchell had seven catches for 142 yards and a touchdown on nine targets.

CBS Sports - Cardinals quarterback Minshew provided a spark after Jacoby Brissett was benched; the Cardinals rallied to win.

CBS Sports - Chiefs running back Johnson had a 73-yard receiving touchdown and more than 100 receiving yards; the article said an injury to Ken Walker could put him in the RB2 or borderline RB1 range.

CBS Sports - Browns tight end Fannin caught 10 of 12 targets for 154 yards and was described as emerging as a top-five tight end option, particularly in PPR formats.

CBS Sports - Buccaneers running back Irving had 170 rushing yards, one touchdown, and 27 carries.

WHERE:

CBS Sports - Tennessee lost to Cincinnati; the Titans’ home stadium is Nissan Stadium.

CBS Sports - The Titans’ coach conducted a Zoom call with reporters from Nashville.

WHEN:

CBS Sports - The Titans have a bye in Week 9 and are scheduled to return against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 15.

WHY:

CBS Sports - Ward is a potential waiver-wire target because of his career-high passing performance and rushing contribution; the article recommended monitoring him in one-quarterback leagues and rostering him in shallow superflex leagues.

CBS Sports - Saleh said Pollard’s running success helped create opportunities for play-action passing.

CBS Sports - Saleh said the Titans’ game plan sought to generate turnovers against Cincinnati, but added, “we have to be better.”

CBS Sports - Saleh said Helm’s involvement was dictated by Cincinnati’s coverage system, which left room for a tight end to roam through the middle of the field.

HOW:

CBS Sports - Saleh said Tennessee’s offense used blocking schemes and combinations developed by Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to support Pollard’s production.

Cam Ward threw for a career-high 304 yards, but Tennessee lost to Cincinnati in overtime. Coach Robert Saleh praised Ward’s progress, while calling for better ball security and fewer receiver drops. Tony Pollard’s strong running helped create passing opportunities.