Physical first-game test
CARDINALS PASS OFFENSE VS. TITANS PASS DEFENSE
Kyler Murray opens his third NFL season against a Tennessee defense that’s undergone multiple changes since last year, when the Titans weren’t that good at stopping anybody. It remains to be seen just how much better the defense got, if at all. Murray and the Cardinals don’t want to wait around to find out, so expect Arizona to go to the air early and often and put Tennessee’s secondary on high alert. DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green will likely draw multiple targets from Murray, who could be poised for a huge day if he takes care of the football. Look for Titans cornerback Janoris Jenkins to draw the primary assignment on Hopkins. Keep an eye on Cardinals rookie wide receiver Rondale Moore, who might end up with an unexpected number of touches.
Edge: Cardinals
CARDINALS RUN OFFENSE VS. TITANS RUN DEFENSE
Everyone’s been curious to see how the 1-2 running back tandem of Chase Edmonds and James Conner will play out and now we finally get our first look. Edmonds will likely receive the brunt of the carries, but expect coach Kliff Kingsbury to turn to Conner in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Tennessee’s starting inside linebackers Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans aren’t pushovers and Arizona’s offensive line must get to the second level on their blocks and help plow the road for Edmonds and Conner. Murray’s deceptiveness and quick twitch could open things up for the Cardinals, but the team will be mindful of how much it relies on the quarterback’s legs.
Edge: Cardinals
TITANS PASS OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS PASS DEFENSE
The Cardinals finally get to unveil their two new marquee tandems on defense in pass rushers J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones and inside linebackers Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Those four and the rest of the defense will have their hands full all afternoon. Not only is the Titans’ offensive line a physical and violent unit, but it’s one of the better pass-protecting groups in the league and should serve quarterback Ryan Tannehill well once again this season. Tannehill has a new weapon this season in future Hall of Fame wide receiver Julio Jones, who joins a dynamic presence in A.J. Brown. It’s going to be up to cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr., Robert Alford and rookie Marco Wilson to make sure neither Jones or Brown goes off for a huge game. They are both capable of sticking it to the Cardinals.
Edge: Titans
TITANS RUN OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS RUN DEFENSE
As has been the case in Tennessee for the past few seasons, it all starts and ends with running back Derrick Henry. Last season, Henry became the first back since LaDainian Tomlinson (2006-07) to win the NFL rushing title in consecutive years. He followed up a 1,540-yard, 16-touchdown performance in 2019 by rushing for 2,027 yards and 17 TDs in 2020. If the Cardinals can mitigate Henry in some way, perhaps by holding him under 100 rushing yards, they’ll have a chance in this game. But the left side of the Titans’ strong offensive line, led by tackle Taylor Lewan and guard Rodger Saffold III, might be too much to handle. Henry could put on a real show if he starts to get in a groove.
Edge: Titans SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Brett Kern has been a rock for the Titans for more than a decade. Entering his 12th full season with the team, he ranks first in career total punts (876), highest career gross average (45.9) and highest career net average (40.9). Sam Ficken, formerly of the Rams and Jets, is Tennessee’s new kicker this year. The Cardinals have a new kicker as well in veteran Matt Prater, who still possesses plenty of distance and accuracy. Keep your eyes out for Chester Rogers, the Titans’ primary returner on both kickoffs and punts. It will be interesting to see if Moore gets a chance at doing either or both of those duties for the Cardinals.
Edge: Even
TIPICO SPORTSBOOK ODDS
The Titans are 2½ point favorites. The over/under is 52.5. Money line: Cardinals +125, Titans -155.
OVERALL
Tennessee knows how to control time of possession and in the end, the Titans usually just wear opponents down. The Cardinals’ defense could be on the field far too long in this one and if they tire, it’s probably a lost cause. They can keep it close if the offense shows up and they find a way to neutralize Henry in some way. But know this: The Titans have been the NFL’s best red-zone offense the past two years, scoring 82 touchdowns on 109 drives (75.2 percent). If that’s what this game comes down to, pick the Titans. Prediction: Titans 33, Cardinals 30