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?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cardinals Team Leaders

ARI

Touchdowns	James Conner 18
Rushing	James Conner 752
Passing	Kyler Murray 3787
Receiving	Christian Kirk 77
Sacks	Markus Golden 11
Interceptions	Byron Murphy Jr. 4

TEN

Touchdowns	Derrick Henry 11
Rushing	Derrick Henry 937
Passing	Ryan Tannehill 3734
Receiving	A.J. Brown 63
Sacks	Harold Landry III 12
Interceptions	Kevin Byard 5

ARI

Touchdowns	James Conner 1
Rushing	Chase Edmonds 28
Passing	Kyler Murray 137
Receiving	Christian Kirk 6
Sacks	Markus Golden 1
Interceptions	Zach Allen 0

TEN

Touchdowns	Derrick Henry 1
Rushing	Derrick Henry 62
Passing	Ryan Tannehill 220
Receiving	Julio Jones 6
Sacks	Jeffery Simmons 3
Interceptions	Amani Hooker 1

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Titans Team Leaders

ARI

Touchdowns	James Conner 18
Rushing	James Conner 752
Passing	Kyler Murray 3787
Receiving	Christian Kirk 77
Sacks	Markus Golden 11
Interceptions	Byron Murphy Jr. 4

TEN

Touchdowns	Derrick Henry 11
Rushing	Derrick Henry 937
Passing	Ryan Tannehill 3734
Receiving	A.J. Brown 63
Sacks	Harold Landry III 12
Interceptions	Kevin Byard 5

ARI

Touchdowns	James Conner 1
Rushing	Chase Edmonds 28
Passing	Kyler Murray 137
Receiving	Christian Kirk 6
Sacks	Markus Golden 1
Interceptions	Zach Allen 0

TEN

Touchdowns	Derrick Henry 1
Rushing	Derrick Henry 62
Passing	Ryan Tannehill 220
Receiving	Julio Jones 6
Sacks	Jeffery Simmons 3
Interceptions	Amani Hooker 1

Weather

temp	78
condition	sunny
wind	Southwest 6mph

Injuries

Arizona

Greg Mabin (CB)

Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 01 / 22

Zach Allen (DE)

Prob Mon Ankle - 14 / 01 / 22

Justin Pugh (OL)

Ques Mon Calf - 14 / 01 / 22

Isaiah Simmons (LB)

Ques Mon Personal - 14 / 01 / 22

Antonio Hamilton (CB)

Prob Mon Teeth - 14 / 01 / 22

Jonathan Ward (RB)

Ques Mon Knee - 12 / 01 / 22

Zach Allen (DE)

Ques Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22

Chase Edmonds (RB)

Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 01 / 22

Dennis Gardeck (LB)

Ques Sun Thumb - 06 / 01 / 22

Tanner Vallejo (LB)

Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22

Tennessee

Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)

Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 01 / 22

Buster Skrine (DB)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 18 / 01 / 22

Teair Tart (DT)

Out Sat Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22

Bud Dupree (LB)

Ques Sun Personal - 05 / 01 / 22

Jackrabbit Jenkins (CB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22

Ben Jones (C)

Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22

Kendall Lamm (T)

Ques Sat Illness - 05 / 01 / 22

Rodger Saffold III (G)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22

Naquan Jones (DT)

Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 01 / 22

Julio Jones (WR)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22

Injuries

Arizona

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.

Tennessee

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.