Cardinals vs. Titans Game Day Preview & Betting Guide (Oct. 5, 2025)

Kickoff: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 — 1:05 p.m. MST
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale
TV: CBS (Arizona Cardinals)

After back-to-back tight losses to NFC West rivals (49ers 16–15; Seahawks 23–20), the 2–2 Arizona Cardinals host the 0–4 Tennessee Titans with a chance to get back over .500. Fast starts and complementary football are the marching orders after slow first halves put Arizona in chase mode the last two weeks. (Arizona Cardinals)

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Betting odds (as of Sunday morning)

• Spread: Cardinals -7.5 (consensus) (Action Network)
• Moneyline: Cardinals ~ -380 to -425; Titans +300 to +325 depending on book. (Pickswise)
• Total (O/U): 41–41.5 (Action Network)
• Model/Expert lean: SportsLine sim model: Cardinals 26, Titans 16; Arizona covers. (CBSSports.com)

Note: Some books opened Arizona at -7.5 with a total around 41–42; check your sportsbook for live numbers before placing a wager. (VegasInsider)

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Where both teams stand (through Week 4)

Arizona Cardinals (2–2)

• Recent form: W at Saints; W vs Panthers; L at 49ers; L vs Seahawks (both by 3 or fewer). (ESPN.com)
• Team profile: Offense has moved the ball in spurts but has stalled early in games; defense has kept scores modest and created late-game chances. NFL tracking shows 1,082 total yards on offense vs 1,406 allowed, with third-down issues on both sides (Cards 20/52; opponents 18/52). (NFL.com)
• QB outlook: Kyler Murray comes off a two-TD, two-INT day vs Seattle (sacked six), but he faces a Titans front that’s produced only 4 sacks in 4 games—potentially less pressure this week. (SB Nation)

Tennessee Titans (0–4)

• Recent form: Offense struggling: last in scoring (12.8 ppg), yards per play (4.2), and EPA/play entering Week 5. (DraftKings Network)
• Team profile: 935 pass yards, 614 rush yards through four games; only 4 sacks defensively; turnover margin 0. (NFL.com)

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Injuries & depth chart shake-ups

• Cardinals RB room:
  • James Conner is out for the season (foot surgery). (NFL.com)
  • Trey Benson had meniscus surgery; placed on IR (4–6 weeks). Expect Michael Carter to handle early downs with Emari Demercado in passing situations. (ESPN.com)
• Titans backfield:
  • Tyjae Spears was activated from IR Saturday and could mix in with Tony Pollard. Safety Mike Brown to IR. (Reuters)

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Three matchups that decide it

1. Cards OL vs Titans pass rush
   Tennessee’s front has generated just 4 sacks in four games. If that trend holds, Murray should find rhythm throws to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride early—critical after two slow starts. (NFL.com)
2. Arizona run game (Carter/Demercado) vs Titans front
   With Conner/Benson out, Arizona still needs 4–5 yard “on-schedule” runs to keep the play-action game live and protect a defense that’s been on the field too long the last two weeks. (Team down-and-distance and 3rd-down splits reflect the strain.) (NFL.com)
3. Titans explosives vs Cardinals secondary
   Tennessee has struggled to create chunk plays (32nd in EPA/play). If the Cards keep a lid on WRs Calvin Ridley/Elic Ayomanor, it’s hard to see the Titans sustaining drives. (DraftKings Network)

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What the numbers suggest

• Fan/coverage sentiment: Locally, this is circled as a “get-right” spot for Arizona; fans want a cleaner, more convincing win. (Revenge of the Birds)
• Neutral models/books: Edge Arizona by roughly one score; total in low 40s consistent with Titans’ offensive struggles and Cards’ solid red-zone/third-down defense profile. (Action Network)

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Habari Prediction

Cardinals 24, Titans 13
Arizona starts faster (scripted RPO/quick game), defense benefits from better field position, and a balanced Carter/Demercado workload keeps the clock moving. Titans’ offense improves slightly with Spears back, but not enough to chase a two-score game.

• Best lean: Cardinals -7.5 (would love -7 if it pops).
• Total: Under 41.5 in a game tilted by field position and modest explosives. (Action Network)

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Fast facts to use on the broadcast/thumbnail

• Kickoff 1:05 p.m. MST on CBS at State Farm Stadium. (Arizona Cardinals)
• Moneyline window: roughly Cards -380 to -425 / Titans +300 to +325. Shop around. (Pickswise)
• Key availability: Cards RBs Conner (season) out; Benson on IR; Titans activate Tyjae Spears. (NFL.com)