Tennessee Titans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 12 - @Tennessee, LP Field
Sunday, Nov. 29, 1:00 PM ET, FOX
All-time series: Arizona 5 - Tennessee 3
Last 10 games: Arizona 5 - Tennessee 3
Interesting Stat: The winning team has scored 20 or more points in every game these two teams have played.
Quarterback
Titans - Kerry Collins has shown to be very resilient and everyone knows he can lead a team, but there's no doubt the Titans fans aren't quite sure that he can have as good a season as they need to make it to the Big Dance. If you mixed Collins' experience, leadership abilities, and calm head with Vince Young's athleticism and pure talent, you've got one solid quarterback. Unfortunately for the Titans, they are two separate quarterbacks who are lacking in the other's skills.
Cardinals - Kurt Warner is finally the hands down starter for once in his career, but he's no spring chicken. Even now during training camp, his hip is causing him some discomfort. Is it enough to keep him out of training camp? No. Is it cause for some concern? Absolutely. The Cardinals do have two pretty talented back-ups in Matt Leinart and Brian St. Pierre, but neither of them can manage the offense like Warner can.
Edge: Cardinals, but both teams have pretty similar strengths and weaknesses.
Running Back
Titans - Smash and Dash are one of the NFL's best running back tandems, bar none. With Lendale White slimming down just enough to increase his speed a bit, it looks like Chris Johnson and White are set up to have another great season.
Cardinals - If he stays healthy...If he stays healthy...If he stays healthy...That is the "if" of the century for this year's Cardinals team. If Chris "Beanie" Wells can stay healthy, the Cardinals could have one of the better run games in the NFC. Now, Wells already turned an ankle in his first training camp practice, which does not bode well, but a sprain is just a sprain, so the jury's still out. Tim Hightower has proven his worth, but not yet as a full-time back. Next to the tight ends, this is one of the biggest question marks on the team.
Edge: Titans, they have what the Cardinals aspire to be.
Wide Receiver
Titans - Not the most star-studded bunch, to put it lightly. When Justin Gage is your number one wide receiver, you're not going to be one of the better receiver units in the league. Though the Titans did improve this group by adding Kenny Britt from Rutgers with their first round pick, he is at best a number three this early on. Nate Washington, who was a number three in Pittsburgh, will probably end up Tennessee's number two.
Cardinals - I got to see this wide receiver group personally at training camp (although Steve Breaston was out with some back pain) and they are talented and deep. The biggest question is who will end up at number four and five...And if you're going to have unanswered questions, that's an okay one to have.
Edge: Cardinals, as Breaston could possibly be Tennessee's number one.
Tight End
Titans - Now here's a position the Titans have pretty shored-up...this season. Bo Scaife recently hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, so he'll be looking to get paid after the season's over, but this is not such a bad thing for the Titans, as he should be playing at the top of his game all season long. Behind him is Alge Crumpler, who could definitely start for most teams.
Cardinals - The Cardinals would take either of Tennessee's top two tight ends in an instant. One unknown at this point is whether or not Anthony Becht can provide the kind of tight end blocking the Cardinals are looking for.
Edge: Titans, by a score of 2-0.
Offensive Line
Titans - This is by far one of the best units in the NFL. Here, you've got five guys who could start for any team in the league and a backup in Leroy Harris that will fill the hole if the most fragile of the bunch, Kevin Mawae, goes down. Add to this line two great blocking tight ends and you've got a recipe for an incredible run game. No worries here.
Cardinals - This group of five still has a lot to prove since they had a hard time creating holes for James and Hightower, but they are well on their way to being an elite group in this league.
Edge: Titans, because if you can keep Kerry Collins healthy, you're doing something right.
Defensive Line
Titans - Yes, Albert Haynesworth is gone, but Haynesworth only made up one man (albeit a big, unstoppable man) of a very solid unit. Jovan Haye and Jason Jones should be able to step up and if rookie Sen'Derrick Marks can make an early impact, I don't see the Titans skipping a beat here. Add to the that the exterior of Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch, two very good ends (if healthy), and you've got another very stout defense.
Cardinals - Darnell Dockett, Bertrand Berry, and Calais Campbell should be able to hold their own...The real question is, who will be next to Dockett? Bryan Robinson is a 13-year veteran and Gabe Watson has shown signs of brilliance, so there are a couple of good options. Also, there is a chance that Alan Branch could come on strong - he impressed coaches by coming into camp under weight and really outrunning the other linemen in conditioning. This three-way race will heat up as training camp progresses.
Edge: Draw, since without Haynesworth, these two units are pretty even.
Linebacker
Titans - Keith Bulluck, much like Karlos Dansby, is in a contract year, which can go one of two ways - it can complicate matters if he thinks there should be contract negotiations going on when there isn't or he could play like a bat out of hades so he can test the free agency market at season's end and look to get paid. I expect the latter. David Thornton had a down year last year, but I see his numbers going back to the levels they were a couple years ago, and Stephen Tulloch never misses a tackle, so this group should be just fine.
Cardinals - Cody Brown has some learning to do, but his talent and and quickness is undeniable. If he can come on strong, especially by week 12, this linebacking corps with Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Chike Okeafor, and Brown could be very dangerous.
Edge: Titans, only because they have more stability. If the Cardinals can shore-up their line by the end of camp, this could change.
Secondary
Titans - This secondary is all about the scheme...Neither Michael Griffin or Chris Hope are all that talented, but they do their job and in the NFL, that's 80% of the battle. Add to that a vicious cover-corner in Cortland Finnegan and you've got the makings of a pretty good secondary. Unfortunately, Tennessee lost a few guys to free agency at this position and are light in the depth department. Health is the key here.
Cardinals - After watching Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie successfully cover Larry Fitzgerald in training camp multiple times, I am more comfortable than ever about this secondary. Though defenses will try and avoid DRC, Bryant McFadden looks like the perfect complement on the other side and if the receivers do end up catching the ball, Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle will make sure to dislodge it if given the chance. This secondary is fast and hits hard. I would not want to be a receiver with these guys waiting on me.
Edge: Titans, even though I think highly of the Cardinals growth in this area.
Special Teams
Titans - Rob Bironas is one of the best kickers in the league and Craig Hentrich has been around longer than God, so no problems there. Mark Jones is slated to be the returner on both kick-offs and punt returns and for good reason. Though he doesn't help the Titans in any other way, he is valuable at this position.
Cardinals - Right now, it looks like Breaston is the sure-fire answer to losing J.J. Arrington, but as many fans have noted, Breaston would seem too important to the receiving corps to take a chance with a return injury. I like Antrel Rolle as a possible return man and I do believe he will get some game-time looks. Also, look out for LaRod Stephens-Howling, who runs like a mini-Darren Sproles. Neil Rackeres is entrenched as the kicker and it does look like Ben Graham will be muffing...I mean, kicking...for the Cardinals this year.
Edge: Titans, because Rob Bironas is a badass and the Cardinals can't punt.
Overall
Titans - This Tennessee team is practically the same team that won 13 games last year (sans Albert Haynesworth), but that may not be as good as it sounds since every player on the team just got a year older and a year more injury-prone. It's pretty simple - if the Titans can avoid injuries, they could easily reach the playoffs...and if not, well, the Colts or Texans will take their place. By the time week 12 rolls around, I expect this team to be pretty run down and I don't think they'll be able to go four quarters with a very aggressive Cardinals team.
Cardinals - On paper, it looks like the Titans have the advantage in almost every area, but games aren't played on paper. Whether it's Warner or Leinart at this point in the season (hey, Warner's getting up there in age, too), the wide receivers will get open deep and I see at least three touchdown passes. If Rolle, DRC, or McFadden can grab a pick and the Cardinals can stack the box to stop the run, this could actually be a pretty one-sided affair.
Week 12 (pre-training camp) prediction: Arizona 24 - Tennessee 17
Other weekly opponent breakdowns:
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers - Weeks 1 and 14
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Week 2
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts - Week 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans - Week 5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks - Weeks 6 and 10
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants - Week 7
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers - Week 8
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears - Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams - Week 11 and 16
More Tennessee Titans analysis:
Tennessee Titans Examiner
Comments
It's obvious you're biased, as you have the Cardinal's D-Line even with Tennessee's, c'mon now.
And it's not Chris Brown, it's Chris Johnson.
Chris, thanks for the comments (and correction - Chris Brown...I don't even know where I got that), but just so we're all on the same page:
1) Position vs. position, I gave the Titans the edge in 6 out of 9 of them...
2) The Titans had injury concerns at the end of last season and are only getting older...
3) Albert Haynesworth was a HUGE loss (no pun intended) on that D-line...
I won't deny that I have more inside knowledge of the Cardinals team, but also remember that this is a PRESEASON matchup and prediction. There is a lot that can happen between now and then and I still maintain that the Titans will be worn down a bit by week 12 which gives the Cardinals the edge.
This guy is an idiot...Micheal Griffin not talented? Hes one of the best safety's in the league. He also returned an Int against Pittsburgh at the end of the game, a little over 80 yards, plus made the pro bowl last year too. Whatever.
keid - Michael Griffin is a product of the Cover 2 system that is run at Tennessee. He does his job and is very cerebral, which makes him perfect for the Titans' system (exactly as stated above). But he is not a talent freak like Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu.
But an idiot I shall remain until Week 12...
You predict the Titans being "worn down" correct? Well what about normal wear and tear on the Cardinals? Do you really, really think that Beanie is going to make that much of an impact in the league? He has, statistically, the worst run blocking O-line to work with. Truthfully you saying that the Titans were even with the Cardinals in the aspect of Defensive Line saying that the Loss of Haynesworth was great and I agree that it is pretty large, BUT I think Jeff Fisher, who IMO is the best coach in the league without a ring, saw the loss coming so he has groomed the rotation very well. Jim Washburn may be the best Defensive Line coach in the league and while Haynesworth was injured last season Jason Jones stepped up with a 3 1/2 sack performance against Pittsburgh I belive, so in all I would give the Titans the edge. Then, of course, there is the "Intangibles". I don't believe the AFC South will be wrapped up before at least Week 14.
So the Titans WILL be playing hard no matter the circumstances. In your division you might win with a 9-7 record and therefore not play hard like, say, last season where you fell apart towards the end. Then you have to count in Home Field Advantage which definately gives the Titans the edge where they lost one game last year I believe. I know that will be hard to replicate but the Home crowd will be there every game this season.
I think that when you play with a chip on your shoulder then you play better. The Titans had a "premature" exit from the playoffs last season and I think we will be on top of our game trying to revenge that.
I will give you a tip of my hat as you wrote this article well.
IMO the Titans have an good chance of winning.
My preseason prediction is the Titans winning the game by a score of 27-20 as the run game will run the clock and the Cardinals might have a tougher time of Passing with the non-blitzing linebackers of the titans covering the middle
Trent - I really appreciate you actually making solid arguments against my piece - and I admit, they're solid arguments. I agree about Fisher - He and Whisenhunt have done very similar things with their teams (changing the culture, etc.) and there's no doubt in my mind that the D-line will still be strong for Tennessee.
As far as wear and tear, the Cardinals aren't as old across the board as Tennessee and though we truly could have a Matt Leinart/Vince Young matchup because both starting quarterbacks are AARP-eligible, I think the length of the season will hurt Tennessee more than Arizona.
And I also agree that the AFC South will be one of the most interesting and competitive conferences in the NFL with Houston, Indy, and Tennessee (and who knows, the Jags could be in the hunt) - But man, you better hope the injury bug doesn't get to the Titans (and again, I think they are VERY prone).
That all said, it will be a phenomenal game if everyone's healthy on both sides..
I definitely can respect that prediction - and no doubt, this game could go either way. And thank you for the compliment on the article - a lot of time does go into each of these match-ups.
The rest of the NFC West is fervently maintaining that they will be competitive this year (which remains to be seen), so if you take them for their word, it will still be a race by Week 12.
When I write my article the week of the game, it will be interesting to come back and reference this piece...I may be eating my words...But, for the Cardinals sake, I hope not!
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