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Game-day details
Sun., 4:15 p.m. ET, Sun Devil Stadium
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Sunny. High: 89. Low: 62.
Why To Watch
Many predicted a playoff run for the Cardinals in their second season under coach Dennis Green, but the reality of the '05 season has Arizona fighting to stay out of the NFC West basement. The Titans, on the other hand, had few expectations after another offseason roster purge. A win this week could keep alive the Titans' slim playoff hopes.
Arizona backup quarterback Josh McCown has performed well since starter Kurt Warner went down Sept. 25, relying on the big-play ability of wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Arizona, however, still is waiting for Marcel Shipp and/or rookie J.J. Arrington to ignite the running game.
The Titans live and die each week on the playmaking ability of quarterback Steve McNair. Wide receiver Drew Bennett and tight ends Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe are good receiving options, and Chris Brown is a solid runner. The defense, led by sack man Kyle Vanden Bosch, has been surprisingly effective most weeks.
Both teams must view this game as a launching point for a midseason rally. Both clubs should play as though the '05 season depends upon a victory Sunday.
Titans Keys For Success
1. Pressure McCown from the edges. The Cardinals have a strong passing game, and Tennessee cornerbacks Andre Woolfolk and Adam "Pac-Man" Jones cannot cover Fitzgerald and Boldin for long. The Titans must protect the cornerbacks and not blitz the linebackers and safeties much. That means the defensive linemen will be needed to generate pressure without help. That shouldn't be a problem against Arizona's banged-up offensive line that struggles in pass protection.
2. Throw downfield. The Titans are not producing many downfield strikes, so the Cardinals will concentrate on eliminating the short passes. Downfield completions to Bennett and Brandon Jones will create space underneath for matchup nightmares Troupe and Kinney.
3. Attack the middle of the Arizona defense. Cardinals defensive tackles Ross Kolodziej and Darnell Dockett are light and struggle to hold up at the point of attack. The Titans' interior offensive line is physical, and so is Brown. The Titans should be able to grind up the Cardinals with a relentless power running game.
Cardinals Keys For Success
1. Get something from Shipp and Arrington. The Cardinals average 74.4 yards rushing per game (29th in the NFL). As a result, opponents can use nickel personnel on most downs to double-team Boldin and Fitzgerald. If the Cardinals get 4 yards a carry, it would force the Titans to honor the run and leave their cornerbacks in man-to-man coverage from time to time.
2. Run from three- and four-receiver sets. The Cardinals' top four receivers all create matchup problems for the Titans' defensive backs. Arizona should use spread formations to force Tennessee to take a defender out of the box, creating space for Shipp and/or Arrington.
3. Be disciplined and make sound tackles. The Cardinals yield about five big plays of 20-plus yards each week, which is indicative of a bad tackling team with players out of position. The Titans have good team speed. The Cardinals' linebackers and defensive backs must properly diagnose the play, get to the ball and make fundamental tackles.
Injuries at a glance
Titans injuries
10/17/05 Drew Bennett WR Thumb dislocation Out for Week 7
Cardinals injuries
10/17/05 Calvin Pace DE Arm laceration Out for season
10/12/05 Kurt Warner QB Groin Should return in Week 7
10/6/05 Gerald Hayes LB Knee Out for the season
10/3/05 Antrel Rolle CB Knee surgery Out for season
10/3/05 Oliver Ross T Hand Out at least a month
The Bottom Line
The game should be close, but the more experienced Titans will find a way to win. The Cardinals will not be able to keep McCown's jersey clean against the Titans' elite pass rush.
Pick: Titans 27, Cardinals 24
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Titans vs Cardinals
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