Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans Preview: Titans to Defend Home Turf in Week 1 Tussle

This is one of the more interesting games on the first-week slate. A win by the Titans is expected, but a win by the Cardinals could set them up for a playoff push. They just missed out on the postseason in 2020, and NFL betting odds expect more of the same this season, but an upset in Nashville in Week 1 could change that outlook.

Arizona has gotten old over this offseason. Perhaps that is a good offset to being very young at the quarterback and head coach positions. Kliff Kingsbury is definitely on the hot seat and needs more improvement in the win column after five wins in his first season and eight last year.

The Titans, meanwhile, are looking to build on what they have going and make a run at the AFC title. They should have one of the best offenses in the league after adding Julio Jones in the offseason, and Ryan Tannehill and the aerial attack should flourish in tandem with running back Derrick Henry. But it does remain to be seen how Tannehill can do without offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, now the head coach in Atlanta.

Arizona Cardinals (0-0) vs Tennessee Titans (0-0), CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans NFL Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Arizona Cardinals +126
• Tennessee Titans -148

Total

• OVER 53.5 (-110)
• UNDER 53.5 (-110)

Spread

• Arizona Cardinals +3 (-120)
• Tennessee Titans -3 (+100)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 3:00 a.m. ET. Want to see betting odds from several top online sportsbooks for the day’s other NFL matchups? Check out our NFL odds.

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans NFL Betting Consensus

Moneyline

• 50% Arizona Cardinals
• 50% Tennessee Titans

Total (at O/U 53.5)

• 25% OVER
• 75% UNDER

Spread (at +/-3)

• 50% Arizona Cardinals
• 50% Tennessee Titans

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans Betting Outlook

Arizona has a flashy offense. QB Kyler Murray is a supreme athlete who can run and throw and rack up big stats, but the winning has not followed the production. This year he is “supposed” to be more committed to staying in the pocket, but we will see how that develops. Either way, the Cardinals have the talent to challenge a good Tennessee team on the road.

On defense, the Cardinals are hoping the addition of DE J.J. Watt and rookie LB Zaven Collins can make them more competitive. At this stage of his career, Watt is more presence than production though, and the Titans are going to be very familiar with him from his time in Houston. Arizona does not need to be a great defensive team to win, but they need to be better than average.

Titans Look for More Balance to Carry Offense

Henry is a beast, but the reason the Titans have been so effective the last couple of seasons is that Tannehill made big strides under the tutelage of Smith. Now he has to prove he can continue to be under some new leadership. It will help that he now has Jones in addition to A.J. Brown. That gives Tennessee one of the best receiver duos in the league when Jones is healthy. This offense was among the best in the league last season and should be even better this season.

If they want to take the next step, the defense must be better. That makes this game against Arizona an interesting early test. Murray has unique talents, so we may not get a full evaluation of this group. But if they can put pressure on him and keep this team in front of them, it will be a great indicator. The offense can help the defense out too by keeping the ball out of Murray’s hands.

NFL Betting Trends to Consider for Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans

• Cardinals are 8-3-2 ATS in their last 13 games as a road underdog.
• Cardinals are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
• Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
• Titans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 1.
• Titans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
• Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans Best Bets

Tennessee -3

Arizona might have a better-than-expected season, but I don’t think it is going to start on the road against a playoff-bound team like Tennessee. Look for the Titans to do what they do best, run the ball with Henry to set up big plays in the passing game. The formula is simple enough, and I doubt the Cardinals are looking forward to being pounded on for four quarters by Henry. This game might go back and forth a bit, but a couple of mistakes by the Cardinals will give us the gap we need.

Prop Watch: Kyler Murray Over 261.5 passing yards

Murray wants to be more of a pocket passer, using his legs as a “luxury”. That and the fact that the Cardinals are likely to be playing from behind should give him lots of chances to throw the ball. I think he eclipses 300 yards in this one. Arizona is going to need him to have a strong game to compete.

Score Prediction

Tennessee Titans 30, Arizona Cardinals 24