Episode of resilience: Titans stun Cardinals for first win of 2025
The Tennessee Titans grabbed their first victory of the 2025 season in a fashion no one saw coming, pulling off a dramatic late comeback against the Arizona Cardinals. What began with a near-certain Arizona touchdown ending in a fumble became the spark that ignited a remarkable finish, capped by a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Key sequence: Demercado’s costly fumble and a misfortune‑driven touchback
Arizona rookie Emari Demercado appeared poised to put the game out of reach with a potential 72-yard TD early in the fourth quarter. Instead, he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, and the ball bounced into the Titans’ end zone for a touchback. That single miscue shifted momentum at a critical juncture and gave Tennessee life when time was running short.
Turnover turns into Titans’ spark: Lockett’s fumble recovery in the end zone
After Tennessee trimmed the deficit to 21-12, Cam Ward faced pressure and his pass was tipped at the line, landing in safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson’s hands. Taylor-Demerson began celebrating what looked like a pivotal interception, but he stumbled and fumbled the ball into his own end zone. Titans wide receiver Tyler Lockett recovered for a touchdown, pulling Tennessee within two points with 4:39 left to play and turning the game into a true nail-biter.
Grind-it-out drive ends with game-winning kick
The Cardinals punted after the two-minute warning, giving Ward one final chance. He completed 6 of 7 passes on the drive, moving the Titans into field-goal range for a 29-yard boot by Joey Slye. Slye nailed the kick through the uprights as time expired, delivering a stunning 22-21 comeback win for Tennessee.
Ward’s second-half surge and playmakers who fueled the comeback
Cam Ward’s first-half struggles (6-of-15 for 58 yards) gave way to a more efficient second half, where he went 15-of-24 for 207 yards. He connected repeatedly with Calvin Ridley, who finished with five catches for 131 yards, providing Tennessee with a much-needed aerial pulse while the Titans protected the pocket better in the final two quarters. Ridley’s big-play ability helped balance the offense and gave Ward targets he could trust under pressure.
What this means for the Titans going forward
With the gut-check win in hand, the Titans can build confidence as they head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders, who’ve endured a rough three-game skid. Tennessee now sits with momentum as a potential turning point for the 2025 season, proving they can respond when the clock winds down and playoff odds aren’t favorable. Coaches will be watching Ward’s pocket management and the protection that supported him late in the game, aiming to replicate this level of performance against tougher opponents.
Cardinals’ setbacks and next steps
Arizona’s miscommunication on a crucial snap in the third quarter and the early fumble that could have iced the game contributed to one of the more surprising collapses of the season. They’ll regroup ahead of a trip to Indianapolis to face the Colts, hoping to recapture the balance and tempo that defined their early lead. Reinforcements on the run game and tighter ball security will be focal points for the Cardinals’ staff as they seek a quick bounce-back performance.
Key stats and what to watch next
Besides Ward’s late surge, Calvin Ridley’s 131 receiving yards stood out as a major benchmark for Tennessee’s passing attack. The Titans’ defense forced the pivotal fumble recovery and kept Arizona’s lead within reach late, emphasizing how a few critical plays can reshape a game’s narrative. For fans and analysts, the takeaway is simple: never count out a team with the clock winding down, especially when a poised quarterback can engineer a timely scoring drive and a kicker comes through in the clutch.
As the NFL schedule moves on, the results from Nashville and Phoenix will be remembered as a reminder that single plays—both good and bad—can swing outcomes in dramatic fashion. The Jets remain the last winless team after this week, underscoring how unpredictable this season can be.
