The 2025 NFL Week 17 matchup features the New Orleans Saints (5-10) traveling to face the Tennessee Titans (3-12) in a low-stakes affair between two teams eliminated from playoff contention, with both looking to end disappointing seasons on a positive note and evaluate young talent for 2026. The Saints have struggled with inconsistency and injuries, posting a poor road record, while the Titans aim to leverage home-field advantage in Nashville to snap a potential losing streak. This inter-conference clash revives a series where the Saints hold a slight historical edge, but Tennessee’s defensive front could keep it competitive in what might be a defensive slugfest amid winter weather. Below is a fully detailed preview covering all aspects.
Venue Location
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee. This outdoor venue, home to the Tennessee Titans, seats approximately 69,143 fans and features a natural grass surface, known for its lively atmosphere but susceptibility to weather impacts in late-season games.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. PT).
Broadcast: CBS: Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty, AJ Ross (field reporter)
Weather Updates
Nashville’s forecast for December 28, 2025, calls for mild winter conditions with daytime highs around 64°F and nighttime lows near 46°F. Expect partly cloudy skies with a 69% chance of precipitation, including possible scattered showers, winds at 2 mph, and humidity around 75%. The natural grass surface could become slick if rain falls, favoring ball security and run-heavy strategies—monitor updates, as December in Nashville averages 40-50°F with variable rain chances, potentially impacting kicking and passing accuracy.
Injury Report
Both teams are managing late-season injuries, with the Saints facing more absences in the secondary and line, potentially exposing them to Tennessee’s run game, while the Titans deal with quarterback and defensive depth issues.
New Orleans Saints: Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) is questionable. Offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) is questionable. Defensive end Trevin Wallace (undisclosed) is out. Linebacker Kolbe Fields (knee surgery recovery) is limited. Wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is questionable. Running back Kendre Miller (undisclosed) is questionable. These losses could strain the defensive front and passing attack.
Tennessee Titans: Quarterback Will Levis (undisclosed) is questionable. Running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) is questionable. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd (undisclosed) is questionable. Defensive end Jeffery Simmons (undisclosed) is limited. Linebacker Otis Reese IV (undisclosed) is questionable. These issues could limit the ground game and pass rush if not cleared.
Player Matchups
This game could turn on New Orleans’ passing attack challenging Tennessee’s secondary, with injuries adding uncertainty to key battles.
NO QB Derek Carr vs. TEN S Amani Hooker: Carr’s experience (over 3,000 passing yards) vs. Hooker’s ball-hawking—Hooker must limit deep shots to Olave (if active).
TEN QB Will Levis vs. NO LB Demario Davis: Levis’ arm (if cleared) vs. Davis’s coverage—Davis must contain short passes and scrambles if Fields sits.
NO RB Alvin Kamara vs. TEN DL Jeffery Simmons: Kamara’s versatility vs. Simmons’ disruption (limited)—key if Spears sits, shifting focus to Titans’ front.
TEN WR Calvin Ridley vs. NO CB Paulson Adebo: Ridley’s routes vs. Adebo’s man coverage—potential for chunk plays if Levis connects.
NO WR Chris Olave vs. TEN CB L’Jarius Sneed: Olave’s speed (if cleared from concussion) vs. Sneed’s press—could open play-action.
These matchups slightly favor New Orleans if Olave plays, but Tennessee’s home front could exploit Saints’ line issues.
Recent Team Forms
New Orleans Saints (last 5 games): L-L-L-W-L. Recent losses include to the Commanders and Cardinals, with a win over lesser foes—form shows defensive struggles (allowing 30+ PPG in losses) but occasional offensive flashes.
Tennessee Titans (last 5 games): L-L-L-L-L. On a prolonged losing streak—form highlights overall struggles, averaging under 15 PPG in losses with defensive breakdowns.
Series History
The Saints lead the all-time series 9-6 in 15 meetings, with New Orleans winning the last two (including a 16-15 victory in 2023). Tennessee’s wins came earlier, but games are typically close, averaging under 10-point margins. No playoff history, but New Orleans has dominated scoring in victories, with the largest margin a 38-0 Saints win in 1979.
Betting Trends
Saints: 6-9 ATS overall, 3-5 ATS on the road, 8-7 O/U with overs in high-total games. Titans: 4-11 ATS overall, 2-5 ATS at home, 7-8 O/U trending under vs. NFC foes. Game-Specific: Saints 5-1 ATS in last 6 vs. Titans; Titans 1-4 ATS as home dogs; overs in 4 of last 5 meetings; public on Saints -6.5, sharps on over due to offensive potential.
SAINTS NOTES:
• QB TYLER SHOUGH passed for 308 yards & TD in Week 16. Has TD pass in 3 of his past 4. Aims for 3rd in row with 250+ pass yards. • QB TAYSOM HILL had a 38-yard TD pass, 42 rush yards & 36 rec. yards in Week 16 & is 1 of 2 (Christian McCaffrey) since 1990 with 35+ pass yards, 35+ rush yards & 25+ rec. yards in a single game. Has 2,426 pass yards, 1,002 rec. yards & 2,551 rush yards in his career & is 1st player in Super Bowl era & 4th player all-time with 1,000+ pass yards, 1,000+ rush yards & 1,000+ rec. yards in their career. • RB ALVIN KAMARA has 7,250 career rush yards & 4,948 career rec. yards & can become 5th player ever with 5,000+ career rush yards & 5,000+ career rec. yards. • WR CHRIS OLAVE led team with career-high 148 yards & had 2 TDs in Week 16 to reach 1,044 rec. yards in 2025, his 3rd career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. Had 112 rec. yards in last meeting. • TE JUWAN JOHNSON had 89 rec. yards in Week 16 & has career-high 733 rec. yards in 2025. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS had 8 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 16. Has 7+ tackles in 8 of his past 9 games. Had 10 tackles & TFL in last meeting. Has 1,508 career tackles & is 1 of 4 since 2000 (Lavonte David, London Fletcher & Bobby Wagner) with 1,500+ tackles. • DE CHASE YOUNG had sack & FR in Week 16 & aims for 3rd in row with sack. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had 2 sacks in Week 16. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. • DT NATHAN SHEPHERD had sack & 1st career FF in Week 16. • CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY had 5 tackles & PD last week. Has PD in 4 of his past 5. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 7 tackles & sack in Week 16. Has INT in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had PD in last meeting. • S JONAS SANKER (rookie) had 2nd career INT & had 2 PD in Week 16.
TITANS NOTES:
• QB CAM WARD completed 21 of 28 atts. (career-high 75 pct.) for 228 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with career-high 122.3 rating in Week 16. Leads rookies in pass yards (2,866) & tied-most in TD passes (13) in 2025. Aims for 4th in row with 2+ TD passes. • RB TYJAE SPEARS had 5 receptions & led team with 105 scrimmage yards (53 rec., 52 rush) & had rush TD last week. Has 5+ receptions in 3 of his past 4 at home. Rushed for 27 yards in last meeting. • RB TONY POLLARD rushed for 102 yards in Week 16. Has 100+ rush yards in 3 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Rushed for 71 yards in his last game vs. NO (12/2/21 w/ Dal.). • WR ELIC AYOMANOR had career-high 58 rec. yards last week. Is only set of rookie teammates (Chimere Dike) with 350+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs this season. • WR CHIMERE DIKE (rookie) had 40 rec. yards & rec. TD in Week 16. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 at home. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had 6 catches for 44 yards & 1st TD of season last week. Has 4+ catches in 3 of his past 4. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS had 3 tackles, 2 TFL & 2 PD in Week 16. Ranks tied-6th in NFL with 16 TFL this season. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6, incl. 2+ TFL in each of his past 3. Had 5 tackle, 2 TFL & sack in last meeting. • LB CODY BARTON had PD last week. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. Had 8 tackles, sack, FF, FR-TD & PD in his last game vs. NO (10/17/24 w/ Den.). • LB JAMES WILLIAMS led team with 9 tackles & had 1st-career sack in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JIHAD WARD had PD & half sack in Week 16. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with half sack. • LB JAYLEN HARRELL had sack & 1st-career FF last week. Aims for his 4th in row with half sack.
Game Odds
New Orleans Saints – 2.5
Tennessee Titans 39.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 27, 2025
