NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Cam Bounce Back
Titans quarterback Cam Ward now has roughly a quarter of the season under his belt. Through four games, he's provided reasons to be optimistic, while also giving reminders he's just a rookie. Ward is coming off his least productive performance so far in a shutout loss in Houston, so he's looking to bounce back, and to start building momentum. Quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree will be calling plays for the second game in a row, this time against a Cardinals defense ranked 28th vs the pass, allowing 255.5 yards per game. Will things look smoother for Ward and Hardegree this time? If the Titans are going to win, they're going to need things to be better on offense.
Supporting Cast
Of course, Ward is going to need the team to be better around him, from a protection standpoint to his targets being where they're supposed to be, catching the ball. Ward has been sacked 17 times this season, which is most in the NFL. He's been pressured on 44.0% of his dropbacks, which is third highest in the NFL. Ward's 37.2 completion percentage when under pressure is the fourth lowest in the league. So, the o-line needs to keep him clean, and give him time. When right tackle JC Latham eventually returns it would help matters, but he remains out this Sunday. The Titans receivers need to be more consistent as well, including Calvin Ridley, who returned to practice on Friday. Running back Tyjae Spears practiced all week, and his return to the field will provide a boost.
Fix Second Half Woes
The Titans have been in games at the half, and even through three quarters a lot of these games have been there for the taking. But the wheels have come off for the Titans in the second half, and that's led to some lopsided defeats in recent weeks. The Titans were outscored 20-0 in the fourth quarter in Houston, and they've now been outscored 47-10 in the fourth quarter of their four games so far. The Titans have been outscored 74-23 in the second half of games. Across the board, the Titans have to figure out what has been going wrong, and fix it.
C'mon Defense
At times, Tennessee's defense has looked formidable. At other times, it hasn't provided a lot of resistance. Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is looking for more consistency, and he wants his unit to finish. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has been an enforcer inside. Linebacker Cedric Gray is coming off a 17-tackle game, and he seems to be getting better each time out. The Titans will be tasked with trying to fluster Cardinals quarterback in Kyler Murray on Sunday. Murray has thrown for 742 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in 2025, but he's been sacked 13 times himself, which is third most in the NFL. The Titans need to do something about Murray, and this: On defense, they have the fourth-lowest QB pressure rate (26.3%) in 2025.
Watch Simmons
While you're watching the Titans on defense, keep an eye on how hard Jeffery Simmons works on every play. I did that some from my press box seat on Sunday, and saw Simmons regularly taking two or three offensive players on plays. In four games this season, Simmons has seven quarterback hits, five tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble. He's the first Titans player to reach all those marks through four games in a season since Albert Haynesworth (nine QB hits, seven TFLs, one FF) in 2008. Simmons is doing his part, and he needs some others around him to start making more of a difference.
Importance of Week 5
OK, things are really starting to really look bleak here. The Titans are hoping to avoid a 0-5 start, and they desperately need a win. Since 1990, teams starting 1-4 have made the playoffs 6.9% (12/124) of the time, won the division 5.2% (9/174) of the time, but they've never won a Super Bowl (0/174). Teams starting 0-5 have made the playoffs 0.0% (0/67) of the time, won the division 0.0% (0/67) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, well, 0.0% (0/106) of the time. Yes, the Titans need to win a football game. The Cardinals are 8 ½ point favorites over the Titans.
