GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Titans rallied to beat the Cardinals 22-21 here on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Way To Go Cam
Cam Ward saved his best for last. The rookie quarterback completed 13-of-18 passes for 193 yards in the fourth quarter as the Titans rallied. Ward led an 11-play, 71-yard drive in the final two minutes after the offense got the ball back, down by two points and needing a field goal. The Titans became the first team to overcome a deficit of at least 18 points and win with a rookie starting quarterback since the New York Giants in 2019 with Daniel Jones. Since 2000, Ward and former Titans quarterback Vince Young are the only rookie quarterbacks to win a game in which they trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter. "It felt good," Ward said. "A win, especially for my first one, in a game like that, it was a big-time win. The biggest thing is we have to continue to build off it."
Clutch Kick
Kicker Joey Slye made the game-winning kick, from 29 yards out at the horn. Slye was a perfect 3-of-3 in the game on field goals, with makes from 29, 44 and 51 yards. But Slye missed an extra point in the fourth quarter, so the game-winning kick provided a bit of a redemption for that, and his misses from previous weeks. "I had faith in him," defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said of Slye. "I told him: It's going to come down to you, and you're going to put it between the uprights." Slye had the football in his locker after the game.
Ridley's Performance
Titans receiver Calvin Ridley didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday because elbow/knee injuries, and really didn't convince himself and others he was good to go for Sunday until a pregame workout. Ridley played, of course, and the Titans wouldn't have won without him. Ridley caught five passes for 131 yards in the contest, with catches of 38 and 47 yards. Ridley's 38-yard grab on the final drive put the team in field goal range. "To be honest, the whole sideline felt like we were going to drive that ball down there," Ridley said. "It felt really good to do it. (It was) a great throw (by Cam), two players making a play for the team win. He threw a great ball, I made a catch, and we won."
Lockett's Recovery
There were two really crazy plays in this one, one on offense and the other defense. Let's jump on the offensive one first, kind of like receiver Tyler Lockett jumped on the loose football in the end zone for a touchdown. Here's what happened: Ward was intercepted on a third-down throw with under five minutes left, but the Cardinals defender lost the football after he took several steps, and fell to the ground. The ball ricocheted off several players before Lockett recovered it for a touchdown, which made the score 21-19 with 4:39 left. "It was a crazy play overall," Lockett said. "It was a scramble play. They always talk about keep running to the ball, you never know what is going to happen. I was able to dive on it, and secure it for a touchdown."
Sneed's Hustle
Another bizarre play occurred earlier in the fourth quarter, and it involved Cardinals running back Emari Demercado, cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, and an official review. With the Cardinals leading 21-6, Demercado appeared to be on his way to a 72-yard touchdown run, which would have put the game out of reach. Officials initially signaled touchdown, in fact. But replays showed Demercado lost control of the football before he crossed the goal line, as Sneed was chasing him down from behind. Sneed deserves credit for his hustle, and for influencing the play. "I knew it was out, and I was just hoping the refs would be on my side," Sneed said. "(I hope) it sends a message to who we are as a team, resilient, and we fight into the fourth quarter."
Defensive Stand
The Titans got off to a bad start on defense, surrendering three touchdowns in the first half as the team fell down 21-3. But the defense stiffened up in the second half, when the Titans shut the Cardinals out. The biggest stand came after the Titans cut Arizona's lead to 21-19 with 4:39 left. The defense was on the spot to stop the Cardinals, and get the ball back the offense. After allowing one first down, the defense forced a punt, setting the stage for Ward's game-winning drive, and Slye's game-winning drive. "Everyone just had to do their job," Titans linebacker Cody Barton said. "When we do that, it's a win."
