Final2021 Week 1

Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Arizona Cardinals vs Tennessee Titans, Week 1 2021

Arizona Cardinals

AwayWon

38

Tennessee Titans

Home

13

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cardinals101414038
Titans067013

ARI 38TEN 13 Final

  • Passing leader

    Kyler Murray

    ARI · QB

    34.6PPR pts

    21/32, 289 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 1 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    DeAndre Hopkins

    ARI · WR

    26.3PPR pts

    6 REC, 83 YDS, 2 TD

  • Titans leader

    Ryan Tannehill

    TEN · QB

    15.2PPR pts

    21/35, 212 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Isaiah Simmons

    ARI

    1 INT, 9 TKL

Cardinals 38, Titans 13: Arizona leads from start to finish

Arizona led 24–6 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Tennessee 14–7 after the break to win 38–13. The Cardinals finished with a 416–248 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Titans went 5-for-14 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Cardinals kept the ball for 33:21.

Key advantages

  • +2.3 yards/play ARI 6.2 · TEN 3.9
  • +2 turnover margin ARI 1 · TEN 3 turnovers
  • +168 total yards ARI 416 · TEN 248

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Cardinals Won

Arizona won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Cardinals vs Titans
CardinalsStatTitans
6.2Yards per play3.9
1Turnovers3
416Total yards248
Other team stats
67Plays64
54%Third-down conversion36%
33:21Time of possession26:39

Scoring Summary

The Cardinals scored five touchdowns and one field goal; the Titans scored two touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Cardinals vs Titans
TimeTeamPlayARITEN
1st quarter
9:22ARIMatt Prater 34-yard FG Takes lead30
8:11ARIKyler Murray → DeAndre Hopkins, 5-yard TD Extends leadMatt Prater XP100
2nd quarter
10:59ARIKyler Murray → DeAndre Hopkins, 17-yard TD Extends leadMatt Prater XP170
6:50TENRyan Tannehill 1-yard TD runXP missed176
1:44ARIKyler Murray 2-yard TD run Extends leadMatt Prater XP246
3rd quarter
12:55TENRyan Tannehill → A.J. Brown, 13-yard TDMichael Badgley XP2413
10:40ARIKyler Murray → Christian Kirk, 26-yard TD Extends leadMatt Prater XP3113
3:06ARIKyler Murray → Christian Kirk, 11-yard TD Extends leadMatt Prater XP3813
4th quarter
No scoring

Fantasy Points: Cardinals vs Titans, Week 1 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Kyler MurrayARIQB34.6 PTSQB1
  2. DeAndre HopkinsARIWR26.3 PTSWR6
  3. Christian KirkARIWR24.0 PTSWR9
  4. A.J. BrownTENWR14.9 PTSWR33

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Kyler MurrayARIQB34.6QB121/32289415201121.0Start/Sit →
Ryan TannehillTENQB13.2QB2721/3521211217174.9

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
DeAndre HopkinsARIWR26.3WR6WR———86832
Christian KirkARIWR24.0WR9WR———55702
A.J. BrownTENWR14.9WR33WR———84491
Chase EdmondsARIRB14.6RB17RB1263044430
Rondale MooreARIWR10.8WR52WR———54680
Derrick HenryTENRB10.7RB28RB1758043190Start/Sit →
Chester RogersTENWR10.2WR57WR———64620
Jeremy McNicholsTENRB6.3RB42RB29043240
Julio JonesTENWR5.9WR76WR———63290
James ConnerARIRB5.3RB46RB16530————
Anthony FirkserTENTE4.9TE35TE———43190
A.J. GreenARIWR4.5WR89WR———62250
Nick Westbrook-IkhineTENWR2.0WR107WR———21100Start/Sit →
Mekhi SargentTENRB0.2RB78RB120————
Demetrius HarrisARITE0.0—TE———3000
Maxx WilliamsARITE0.0—TE———1000
Geoff SwaimTENTE0.0—TE———1000

Fantasy Usage

Arizona Cardinals

Snap Share

  1. DeAndre HopkinsWR61 snaps88%
  2. A.J. GreenWR55 snaps80%
  3. Maxx WilliamsTE55 snaps80%
  4. Chase EdmondsRB40 snaps58%
  5. Christian KirkWR39 snaps57%

Target Share32 targets

  1. DeAndre Hopkins25%, 8 targets
  2. A.J. Green19%, 6 targets
  3. Christian Kirk16%, 5 targets
  4. Rondale Moore16%, 5 targets
  5. Chase Edmonds13%, 4 targets
  6. Other13%, 4 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. James Conner48%, 16 carries
  2. Chase Edmonds36%, 12 carries
  3. Kyler Murray15%, 5 carries

Tennessee Titans

Snap Share

  1. A.J. BrownWR52 snaps81%
  2. Julio JonesWR50 snaps78%
  3. Derrick HenryRB40 snaps63%
  4. Chester RogersWR39 snaps61%
  5. Anthony FirkserTE31 snaps48%

Target Share35 targets

  1. A.J. Brown23%, 8 targets
  2. Julio Jones17%, 6 targets
  3. Chester Rogers17%, 6 targets
  4. Derrick Henry11%, 4 targets
  5. Jeremy McNichols11%, 4 targets
  6. Other20%, 7 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. Derrick Henry77%, 17 carries
  2. Ryan Tannehill9%, 2 carries
  3. Jeremy McNichols9%, 2 carries
  4. Mekhi Sargent5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
DeAndre HopkinsARIWR6188%825%0
A.J. BrownTENWR5281%823%0
A.J. GreenARIWR5580%619%0
Maxx WilliamsARITE5580%13%0
Julio JonesTENWR5078%617%0
Derrick HenryTENRB4063%411%17
Chester RogersTENWR3961%617%0
Chase EdmondsARIRB4058%413%12
Christian KirkARIWR3957%516%0
James ConnerARIRB3449%00%16
Anthony FirkserTENTE3148%411%0
Geoff SwaimTENTE2539%13%0
Nick Westbrook-IkhineTENWR2438%26%0
Jeremy McNicholsTENRB2336%411%2
Demetrius HarrisARITE2333%39%0
Rondale MooreARIWR2029%516%0
MyCole PruittTENTE1523%00%0
Darrell DanielsARITE1522%00%0
Racey McMathTENWR813%00%0
Mekhi SargentTENRB12%00%1

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Derrick HenryTEN · RB10.717.6−6.963%77% car—01777%411%
Kyler MurrayARI · QB34.617.3+17.3100%32 att—32515%00%
Ryan TannehillTEN · QB15.216.7−1.5100%35 att—3529%00%
Chase EdmondsARI · RB14.614.4+0.258%36% car—01236%413%
A.J. BrownTEN · WR14.913.5+1.481%22% tgt—000%822%
DeAndre HopkinsARI · WR26.313.5+12.888%25% tgt—000%825%
James ConnerARI · RB5.310.3−5.049%48% car—01648%00%
A.J. GreenARI · WR4.510.1−5.680%19% tgt—000%619%
Chester RogersTEN · WR10.210.1+0.161%17% tgt—000%617%
Julio JonesTEN · WR5.910.1−4.278%17% tgt—000%617%
Christian KirkARI · WR24.08.4+15.657%16% tgt—000%516%
Rondale MooreARI · WR10.88.4+2.429%16% tgt—000%516%
Jeremy McNicholsTEN · RB6.38.0−1.736%11% tgt—029%411%
Anthony FirkserTEN · TE4.96.7−1.848%11% tgt—000%411%
Demetrius HarrisARI · TE0.05.1−5.133%9% tgt—000%39%
Nick Westbrook-IkhineTEN · WR2.03.4−1.438%6% tgt—000%26%
Amani HookerTEN · —1.61.7−0.1—3% tgt—000%13%
Geoff SwaimTEN · TE0.01.7−1.739%3% tgt—000%13%
Maxx WilliamsARI · TE0.01.7−1.780%3% tgt—000%13%
Mekhi SargentTEN · RB0.20.6−0.42%5% car—015%00%

Team totals: Cardinals 32 targets and 33 carries; Titans 36 targets and 22 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kyler Murray Ran hot

ARI · QB · 34.6 pts on 17.3 expected

21 of 32 passing for 289 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception; 5 carries for 20 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Kyler Murray →

Ryan Tannehill

TEN · QB · 15.2 pts on 16.7 expected

21 of 35 passing for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 2 carries for 17 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.7 expected.

Chase Edmonds

ARI · RB · 14.6 pts on 14.4 expected

4 targets (13% of the team's), 4 catches for 43 yards; 12 carries (36% of the team's) for 63 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.4 expected.

DeAndre Hopkins Ran hot

ARI · WR · 26.3 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 6 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Derrick Henry Volume, no payoff

TEN · RB · 10.7 pts on 17.6 expected

4 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 19 yards; 17 carries (77% of the team's) for 58 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Derrick Henry →

A.J. Brown

TEN · WR · 14.9 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (22% of the team's), 4 catches for 49 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.5 expected.

James Conner Unlucky

ARI · RB · 5.3 pts on 10.3 expected

16 carries (48% of the team's) for 53 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

A.J. Green Unlucky

ARI · WR · 4.5 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 2 catches for 25 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cardinals defense and Titans defense
Points allowed toCardinals DTitans D
QBs16.518.0
RBs20.516.1
WRs37.940.9
TEs7.78.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Tennessee opened at 57% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Titans win probability

Titans win probability by game minuteTitans started at 57%, stood at 4% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −21Murray → Hopkins, 5-yd TD48% → 27%Q1 8:11
  2. −14Murray → Hopkins, 17-yd TD23% → 9%Q2 10:59
  3. +11Tannehill 1-yd TD run7% → 19%Q2 6:50
  4. −12Murray 2-yd TD run16% → 4%Q2 1:44
  5. +11Tannehill → Brown, 13-yd TD3% → 14%Q3 12:55

Swing in Titans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cardinals vs Titans
Arizona CardinalsMeasureTennessee Titans
67Plays64
51%Pass rate66%
8.2Yds / dropback3.9
4.1Yds / carry3.9
7/13Third downs5/14

Efficiency edge Arizona ran 3 more plays and gained 4.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • ARI Hopkins 25% · Green 19% · Kirk 16%
  • TEN Brown 22% · Rogers 17% · Jones 17%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cardinals vs Titans
ResultARITEN
Touchdowns52
Field goals10
Punts33
Turnovers13
Turnovers on downs02
Missed field goals11

ARI turnover edge: +2

  • The Cardinals opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 45-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Cardinals drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to seven minutes.
All 24 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
TENQ1 15:00301:33Punt
ARIQ1 13:278454:05Field goal
TENQ1 9:222-150:52Fumble
ARIQ1 8:30310:19Touchdown
TENQ1 8:113-61:27Punt
ARIQ1 6:44371:25Punt
TENQ1 5:19754:48Punt
ARIQ1 0:319704:32Touchdown
TENQ2 10:5911754:09Touchdown
ARIQ2 6:5012755:06Touchdown
TENQ2 1:448471:30Missed FG
ARIQ2 0:143480:14End of half
ARIQ3 15:00371:18Interception
TENQ3 13:422320:47Touchdown
ARIQ3 12:556752:15Touchdown
TENQ3 10:40351:19Interception
ARIQ3 9:213-70:56Punt
TENQ3 8:256233:07Fumble
ARIQ3 5:184332:12Touchdown
TENQ3 3:0610182:22Downs
ARIQ3 0:447184:40Missed FG
TENQ4 11:047332:50Downs
ARIQ4 8:148256:19Punt
TENQ4 1:553111:55End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cardinals vs Titans Head-to-Head

The Cardinals and Titans first met in 1970 and have played 13 times since.

All-time series
8–5Cardinals lead, 13 meetings since 1970
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Cardinals win
44–01970
Largest Titans win
41–141997

Since 2021

1–1 Series tied

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Cardinals win, T = Titans win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cardinals vs Titans
CardinalsStatTitans
11-6Record12-5
26.4Points per game24.6
373.6Yards per game342.5
5.6Yards per play5.1
21.5Points allowed per game20.8
329.2Yards allowed per game329.8

Cardinals vs Titans Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
TEN −2.5Titans failed to cover by 27.5
Total
54Under: 51 points scored (by 3)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Titans28.313−15.3
Cardinals25.838+12.3

The Cardinals beat their implied total and the Titans fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Arizona Cardinals

Against the spread
1–0
Over/under
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS on the road
1–0

Tennessee Titans

Against the spread
0–1
Over/under
0–1
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Cardinals and Titans in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cardinal or a Titan, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cardinals vs Titans Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Cardinals vs Titans Week 1 game?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Tennessee Titans 38–13 in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on September 12, 2021. See the Cardinals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Cardinals vs Titans?

The final score was Cardinals 38, Titans 13. The Cardinals led 24–6 at halftime, and the second half went Cardinals 14, Titans 7.

What happened in the Cardinals vs Titans game?

Arizona led 24–6 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Tennessee 14–7 after the break to win 38–13. The Cardinals finished with a 416–248 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Kyler Murray led all players with 21 of 32 passing for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 20 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Titans committed 3 turnovers, the Cardinals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cardinals vs Titans?

Kyler Murray led the game with 34.6 PPR fantasy points, the QB1 of Week 1, on 21 of 32 passing for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 20 rushing yards and a touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins was next with 26.3 (WR6). See Kyler Murray's 2021 game log.

Who led Cardinals vs Titans in passing, rushing and receiving?

Kyler Murray (ARI) led all passers with 21 of 32 for 289 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception. Chase Edmonds (ARI) led in rushing with 12 carries for 63 yards. DeAndre Hopkins (ARI) led in receiving with 6 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Kyler Murray score against the Titans?

Kyler Murray scored 34.6 fantasy points against the Titans in Week 1 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 21 of 32 passing for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 20 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs Titans?

Kyler Murray outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 34.6 PPR points on 17.3 xFP (+17.3). Derrick Henry fell furthest short, with 10.7 points on 17.6 xFP (−6.9). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs Titans?

Derrick Henry had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 17.6 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 10.7. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Cardinals beat the Titans?

The Cardinals beat the Titans 38–13 because they averaged 6.2 yards per play to 3.9, won the turnover battle 3–1, and outgained them 416–248.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cardinals vs Titans?

The Cardinals won the turnover battle 3–1: the Titans gave the ball away 3 times and the Cardinals 1 time. The Cardinals won the game.

What is the all-time Cardinals vs Titans record?

The Cardinals lead the all-time series 8–5 across 13 meetings since 1970.

When did the Cardinals and Titans last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2021, they last met in the 2017 season on December 10, 2017, when the Cardinals beat the Titans 12–7.

What was the closing spread for Cardinals vs Titans?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Titans −2.5, making the Tennessee Titans 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 54. That implied about 28.3 points for the Titans and 25.8 for the Cardinals.

Did Cardinals vs Titans go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 54, and the teams combined for 51 points, 3 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Cardinals vs Titans?

The Cardinals covered as 2.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Titans −2.5. The final margin was 25 points.