The Arizona Cardinals travel to face the Tennessee Titans in the final week of preseason action.
The Cardinals are again without star quarterback Kyler Murray, who head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he would keep on the sidelines. The Titans are expected to play projected starting QB Ryan Tannehill for at least a couple of series, but running back Derrick Henry is out.
How much will Murray’s absence affect the Cardinals, and can the Titans take advantage of it at home? Continue reading for free NFL picks and predictions for Cardinals vs. Titans on Saturday, August 27.
Cardinals vs Titans odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The line for the game opened at -3 for Tennessee and has stayed there. The Cardinals began at +125 on the moneyline but have jumped up to +140. The Titans started at -149 but have gone as high as -164. The total opened at 38.5 but has since dropped all the way down to 35.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Cardinals vs Titans predictions
Predictions made on 8/26/2022 at 5:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Cardinals vs Titans game info
• Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
• Date: Saturday, August 27, 2022
• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: DAZN
Cardinals at Titans betting preview
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Betting trend to know
The Cardinals are 5-0 against the spread in their last five meetings with the Titans. Find more NFL betting trends for Cardinals vs. Titans.
Cardinals vs Titans picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
Maybe the best indicator of how this game will end up is reviewing a common opponent. Both teams played the Baltimore Ravens, who haven’t lost in 22 preseason games. The Titans faced Baltimore on the road in Week 2 and lost 23-10. Meanwhile, the Cardinals hosted the Ravens last week and fell short by a touchdown.
With Arizona starting QB Kyler Murray and backup Colt McCoy sitting out yet another preseason game, the signal-calling duties fall mostly on Trace McSorley.
McSorley struggled against the Ravens' defense, completing 18 of 34 passes for 229 yards but throwing two interceptions. The fourth-stringer, Jarrett Guarantano, fared better in limited action. He completed three of six passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Baltimore’s defense is far superior to the Titans, and this could provide a bounce-back game for McSorley. He will need it, or he might find Guarantano breathing down his neck for the No. 3 spot. If Titans QB Ryan Tannehill plays, it will be sparingly. The bulk of the work will fall on Logan Woodside and rookie Malik Willis.
Willis continues to impress as a dual-threat quarterback. Woodside is more of a pocket passer, and his legs are not nearly as effective as Willis’. Ironically, it was Willis who had the better passing day against the Ravens. The rookie completed six of 11 passes for 107 yards, while Woodside was 14 of 24 for 102 yards and two interceptions.
Both quarterbacks will have a difficult time against the Cardinals passing defense, which was seventh in the NFL in yards allowed. Conversely, the Titans were 25th in passing yards allowed.
I'll take the team with the better defense and for McSorley to have a better game with his job possibly on the line.
Prediction: Cardinals +3 (-110 at Caesars)
Over/Under analysis
The Titans' offense has been fairly anemic in preseason action thus far. In addition to being held under 15 points in both games, Tennessee only managed more than 200 yards passing once. Not surprisingly, both games hit the Under.
In last week’s game, Arizona had 266 yards passing and 55 yards on the ground. The Cardinals are the one to worry about here if you are backing the Under, as they have hit the Over in one of their preseason games.
As long as Tennessee's defense is somewhat competent at times, this total (which is the lowest of all the Saturday games) should stay Under.
Prediction: Under 35.5 (-110 at BetRivers)
Best bet
Saturday’s game is going to be about playing time for those who are fighting for a job as opposed to winning. Both head coaches have to trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday, and Saturday will be the last opportunity for players to impress their coach.
One of those players that needs to have a big game is McSorley. McSorley’s subpar performance last week did not go unnoticed by Kliff Kingsbury.
“I thought it was a little up and down,” Kingsbury said. “I think he was trying a little too hard against his old team to start, but he is scrappy, he continues to make plays. I thought we moved the ball well at times.”
I expect both quarterbacks to play well against a weak Titans pass defense, forcing Kingsbury into a difficult decision. With the spread at +3, Arizona is expected to hang around. I think they’ll do even better than that on Saturday.
Pick: Cardinals moneyline (+140 at FanDuel)
