Tennessee Titans versus Arizona Cardinals: 4 Bold predictions for Week 1

3. Tennessee Titans defense holds Cards to less than 200 total yards.

Cards QB Kyler Murray tossed 26 touchdown passes and racked up a passer rating of 94.3 in 2020. Everyone knows that he’s a big play waiting to happen, but it’s that type of playmaking ability that he possesses (and the performance that Lamar Jackson put on in Tennessee’s most recent playoff appearance) that inspired Jon Robinson and company to bolster a Titans defense that, pretty much, let every opposing offense run rough shot over them a season ago.

Tennessee couldn’t get to the quarterback. They let everyone throw the ball all over the yard on them. They couldn’t do anything right.

They made every attempt to correct this by adding Jackrabbit Jenkins, Denico Autry, and Bud Dupree during the most recent free-agency frenzy. They invested draft capital in the likes of Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Monty Rice, and Rashad Weaver. Opposing offenses had better be prepared to reap the whirlwind.

Be prepared to see a Tennessee Titans defense that’s much better than it was in 2020. Then again, there’s no way that this unit could be any worse than the last one we remember seeing.

4. Tennessee Titans win by a touchdown (or more).

A strong running game headlined by a heavy dose of Derrick Henry, a receiver corps that just added a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and an inspired coaching staff and roster that will be fueled by the emotion of the hometown fans means one thing.

The Arizona Cardinals are making a cross-country trip that will, more than likely end with some hurt feelings and a quiet plane ride home. Tennessee begins their trek through the 2021-2022 regular season with a win by a margin of a touchdown or more. Call it a 31-24 margin if any of you are looking for a guess on the score.