The Titans continue to meander West on the schedule, heading to Arizona as the middle game of a three-game road swing. The Cardinals will be on extra rest after losing Thursday night on a last-second field goal to Seattle.
First down
Take the training wheels off. Cam Ward has been trying for a month now to operate within the scope of Brian Callahan’s offense. Changing the play-caller hasn’t worked, and trying to be patient in the pocket to make plays hasn’t either. It may be time to let Ward do more of what he did in college. Freewheeling and shooting from the hip works in college and often bites you in the NFL. But the Titans are desperate to find some big plays, even if they are off-schedule ones. What can it hurt at this point?
Second down
Get Slye back on track. Joey Slye has now missed four straight field goals beginning with two 60-yard plus misses against the Colts and now two inside 45 yards against the Texans. This team, which has so much trouble getting points, cannot afford for Slye to stay in a slump.
Third down
Get a turnover. Since the Titans forced four turnovers against the Broncos in the season opener, the takeaway spigot has dried up almost completely. Cody Barton had an interception against the Rams in week two and that has been it. They desperately need a takeaway on defense to maybe get a short field and a chance to score some points.
Fourth down
Pray. Divine intervention might be about the only thing that could get the Titans in the win column right now. Things look as bleak with this franchise as it has since the infamous Ken Whisenhunt fiasco of 2014-15. But keep the faith, the 2016 version of the team was much improved and a playoff bid was closer than anyone could have thought.
Titans (0-4) at Cardinals (2-2)
Sun., Oct. 5 | 3:05 p.m.
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: CBS Radio: 104.5 The Zone