Get ready for a jaw-dropping finish that’ll leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about this game! In a season already packed with nail-biters, the Cardinals’ latest showdown against the Titans delivered yet another heart-stopping moment—but not the one their fans were hoping for.
Here’s the scoop: The Cardinals’ streak of edge-of-your-seat games hit a perfect 5-for-5 on Sunday, but this time, it ended in a gut-wrenching 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium. And trust me, this one was a rollercoaster from start to finish—though not in the way anyone expected.
But here’s where it gets controversial: After dominating most of the game and holding a commanding 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals seemed poised for victory. Running back Emari Demercado even broke free for what looked like a game-sealing 72-yard touchdown run. But—and this is the part most people miss—replays revealed Demercado fumbled the ball just before crossing the goal line, sending it rolling through the end zone for a touchback. Talk about a momentum shift!
The Titans, who had been struggling all season (1-4 coming into this game), seized the opportunity. They scored once to narrow the gap to 21-12, then pulled off the wildest touchdown of the NFL season so far. Cardinals safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson intercepted a tipped pass, but—in a bizarre twist—fell untouched, fumbled the ball, and watched in horror as Titans receiver Tyler Lockett scooped it up in the end zone for six points. Suddenly, it was a two-point game.
And this is where it gets even crazier: After the Cardinals punted with just over two minutes left, Titans rookie QB Cam Ward connected with Calvin Ridley on a 38-yard pass, setting up kicker Joey Slye for a 29-yard field goal as time expired. For the third straight game, the Cardinals watched their opponents kick a game-winning field goal on the final play.
This loss drops the Cardinals to 2-3, but it’s their fifth consecutive game decided by the final possession. Here’s the burning question: Is this a pattern of bad luck, or a deeper issue with closing out games? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some fiery opinions!
Stay tuned for more analysis and updates on azcardinals.com.
