The Titans' AFC South title defence begins with a Week 1 home matchup in Tennessee against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.
Two teams aiming to overcome disappointing ends to the 2020 season clash in Week 1, as the Tennessee Titans play host to the Arizona Cardinals as slim 3-point favourites to win on the NFL odds. The Cardinals saw a promising 2020 campaign come undone with losses in six of their final nine outings, extending their current playoff drought to five years. The Titans are coming off their first AFC South division title win since 2008, but struggled badly at times to contain opposing defences. Tennessee went 3-3 in their final three contests, capped by a 20-13 loss to Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend.
The point spread for this Week 1 contest at Nissan Stadium has remained steady since the line was first published back in the spring, with the total climbing slightly to a lofty 52.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This marks the first regular season meeting between these two squads since December 2017. The Cardinals have regularly rewarded sports bettors in recent matchups with Tennessee, winning outright in four of six while covering the spread in each of their past four clashes. While both these teams feature formidable offensive weapons, low scoring has been the hallmark of late when these teams meet, with the total going Over 30 just once over their past four clashes.
That trend extended to the Cardinals’ late-season swoon in 2020, with the Under prevailing in five of their final seven contests. Conversely, the Titans return to action after closing out last season with the NFL’s fourth-ranked offence.
Arizona Cardinals
It is shaping up to be a make or break season for Cardinals pivot Kyler Murray. The first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has struggled to get the Cardinals over the hump in his first two pro seasons. Murray failed to connect on a scoring pass while leading the Cardinals to defeats in Weeks 16 and 17 last season.
With Arizona’s final preseason game in New Orleans getting cancelled due to Hurricane Ida, the squad has had limited opportunity to give starters August playing time. That includes Murray, whose lone preseason appearance came early in a 17-10 loss to Kansas City in Week 2. The Cardinals have also been forced to contend with an outbreak of COVID-19 that has sidelined guard Justin Pugh, cornerback Robert Alford, and defensive end Jordan Phillips.
Tennessee Titans
While it is typically the vaunted Tennessee offence that captures the spotlight, it was the Titans defence that shone during the preseason. The Titans limited opponents to just six total points in back-to-back wins over Atlanta and Tampa Bay to open their August schedule, and surrendered an average of just 199 total yards per game while compiling a 2-1 preseason record.
The Titans may need more of that stingy play in their season opener after seeing Ryan Tannehill added to the COVID list late last week. In addition, receiver Julio Jones has been battling an undisclosed injury that kept him off the practice field until late August. The good news is Tannehill has confirmed that he arrived at camp fully vaccinated, which should help clear the way for his return in time for Week 1. That said, opportunity knocks for a Cardinals squad desperate for a fast start.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Cardinals vs. Titans?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm | ARI | -3 -110 | O +51.5 -110 |
Closing 12 Sep 4:06pm | ARI | -3 -102 | O +54.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cardinals Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
18 |
Rushing |
752 |
Passing |
3787 |
Receiving |
77 |
Sacks |
11 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
937 |
Passing |
3734 |
Receiving |
63 |
Sacks |
12 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
28 |
Passing |
137 |
Receiving |
6 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
62 |
Passing |
220 |
Receiving |
6 |
Sacks |
3 |
Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Titans Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
18 |
Rushing |
752 |
Passing |
3787 |
Receiving |
77 |
Sacks |
11 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
937 |
Passing |
3734 |
Receiving |
63 |
Sacks |
12 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
28 |
Passing |
137 |
Receiving |
6 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
62 |
Passing |
220 |
Receiving |
6 |
Sacks |
3 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Weather

temp | 78 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southwest 6mph |
Injuries
Greg Mabin (CB)
Zach Allen (DE)
Justin Pugh (OL)
Isaiah Simmons (LB)
Antonio Hamilton (CB)
Jonathan Ward (RB)
Zach Allen (DE)
Chase Edmonds (RB)
Dennis Gardeck (LB)
Tanner Vallejo (LB)
Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)
Buster Skrine (DB)
Teair Tart (DT)
Bud Dupree (LB)
Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)
Ben Jones (C)
Kendall Lamm (T)
Rodger Saffold III (G)
Naquan Jones (DT)
Julio Jones (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greg Mabin (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 01 / 22 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
Mabin has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
Zach Allen (DE) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 14 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Allen has an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Rams in the NFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Justin Pugh (OL) | Ques Mon | Calf - 14 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Pugh is hobbled by a calf ailment, and it is undetermined if he will line up for the NFC wild-card game versus the Rams. |
|||||
Isaiah Simmons (LB) | Ques Mon | Personal - 14 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Simmons is tending to a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will be active for the NFC wild-card battle against the Rams. |
|||||
Antonio Hamilton (CB) | Prob Mon | Teeth - 14 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hamilton is battling a tooth issue, but it is anticipated that he will face the Rams in the NFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Jonathan Ward (RB) | Ques Mon | Knee - 12 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Ward is managing a knee injury, and it is undecided if he will suit up for the NFC wild-card game against the Rams. |
|||||
Zach Allen (DE) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Allen is bothered by an ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Seahawks on Sunday. |
|||||
Chase Edmonds (RB) | Prob Mon | Ribs - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Edmonds has injuries to his ribs and toe, but it is anticipated that he will take the field against the Rams for the NFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Dennis Gardeck (LB) | Ques Sun | Thumb - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Gardeck is hindered by a thumb injury, and it is unclear if he will partake in Sunday's contest against the Seahawks. |
|||||
Tanner Vallejo (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Vallejo has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 19 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Jenkins is hindered by an ankle injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Buster Skrine (DB) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 18 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Skrine is hampered by a hamstring injury, but it is likely that he will be active for the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Teair Tart (DT) | Out Sat | Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Tart is hindered by an ankle injury, and he will not partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Bud Dupree (LB) | Ques Sun | Personal - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Dupree is dealing with an off-field incident, and it is unclear if he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Texans. |
|||||
Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jenkins is bothered by an ankle injury, leaving him probable to face the Texans on Sunday. |
|||||
Ben Jones (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jones is managing a knee injury, but it is likely that he will take on the Texans on Sunday. |
|||||
Kendall Lamm (T) | Ques Sat | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Lamm is ailing from an illness, and it is up in the air if he will battle the Bengals in the AFC divisional round. |
|||||
Rodger Saffold III (G) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Saffold III is tending to a shoulder injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's matchup with the Texans. |
|||||
Naquan Jones (DT) | Prob Sat | Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jones is hobbled by a knee issue, but it is projected that he will be active versus the Bengals for the AFC divisional round. |
|||||
Julio Jones (WR) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jones is expected to lace up for Sunday's matchup with the Texans despite a hamstring injury. |
-
ARIZONA CARDINALS
25 -
TENNESSEE TITANS
21
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm ARI -3 -110 O +51.5 -110 Closing 12 Sep 4:06pm ARI -3 -102 O +54.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cardinals Team Leaders
Touchdowns 18
Rushing 752
Passing 3787
Receiving 77
Sacks 11
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 937
Passing 3734
Receiving 63
Sacks 12
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 28
Passing 137
Receiving 6
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 62
Passing 220
Receiving 6
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Titans Team Leaders
Touchdowns 18
Rushing 752
Passing 3787
Receiving 77
Sacks 11
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 937
Passing 3734
Receiving 63
Sacks 12
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 28
Passing 137
Receiving 6
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 62
Passing 220
Receiving 6
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
temp 78 condition sunny wind Southwest 6mph -
Injuries
Greg Mabin (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 01 / 22Zach Allen (DE)
Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 01 / 22Justin Pugh (OL)
Ques Mon Calf - 14 / 01 / 22Isaiah Simmons (LB)
Ques Mon Personal - 14 / 01 / 22Antonio Hamilton (CB)
Prob Mon Teeth - 14 / 01 / 22Jonathan Ward (RB)
Ques Mon Knee - 12 / 01 / 22Zach Allen (DE)
Ques Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22Chase Edmonds (RB)
Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 01 / 22Dennis Gardeck (LB)
Ques Sun Thumb - 06 / 01 / 22Tanner Vallejo (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)
Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 01 / 22Buster Skrine (DB)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 18 / 01 / 22Teair Tart (DT)
Out Sat Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22Bud Dupree (LB)
Ques Sun Personal - 05 / 01 / 22Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Ben Jones (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22Kendall Lamm (T)
Ques Sat Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Rodger Saffold III (G)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22Naquan Jones (DT)
Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 01 / 22Julio Jones (WR)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Greg Mabin (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 01 / 22 0-0 0-0 + - Mabin has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and there is no timetable for return.
Zach Allen (DE) Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Allen has an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Rams in the NFC wild-card game.
Justin Pugh (OL) Ques Mon Calf - 14 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Pugh is hobbled by a calf ailment, and it is undetermined if he will line up for the NFC wild-card game versus the Rams.
Isaiah Simmons (LB) Ques Mon Personal - 14 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Simmons is tending to a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will be active for the NFC wild-card battle against the Rams.
Antonio Hamilton (CB) Prob Mon Teeth - 14 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hamilton is battling a tooth issue, but it is anticipated that he will face the Rams in the NFC wild-card game.
Jonathan Ward (RB) Ques Mon Knee - 12 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Ward is managing a knee injury, and it is undecided if he will suit up for the NFC wild-card game against the Rams.
Zach Allen (DE) Ques Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Allen is bothered by an ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Seahawks on Sunday.
Chase Edmonds (RB) Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Edmonds has injuries to his ribs and toe, but it is anticipated that he will take the field against the Rams for the NFC wild-card game.
Dennis Gardeck (LB) Ques Sun Thumb - 06 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Gardeck is hindered by a thumb injury, and it is unclear if he will partake in Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.
Tanner Vallejo (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Vallejo has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB) Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jenkins is hindered by an ankle injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals.
Buster Skrine (DB) Prob Sat Hamstring - 18 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Skrine is hampered by a hamstring injury, but it is likely that he will be active for the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals.
Teair Tart (DT) Out Sat Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Tart is hindered by an ankle injury, and he will not partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Bengals.
Bud Dupree (LB) Ques Sun Personal - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Dupree is dealing with an off-field incident, and it is unclear if he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Texans.
Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB) Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jenkins is bothered by an ankle injury, leaving him probable to face the Texans on Sunday.
Ben Jones (C) Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jones is managing a knee injury, but it is likely that he will take on the Texans on Sunday.
Kendall Lamm (T) Ques Sat Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Lamm is ailing from an illness, and it is up in the air if he will battle the Bengals in the AFC divisional round.
Rodger Saffold III (G) Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Saffold III is tending to a shoulder injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's matchup with the Texans.
Naquan Jones (DT) Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jones is hobbled by a knee issue, but it is projected that he will be active versus the Bengals for the AFC divisional round.
Julio Jones (WR) Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jones is expected to lace up for Sunday's matchup with the Texans despite a hamstring injury.