Arizona Cardinals defense comes up huge in victory over Titans

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Josh Bynes #57 of the Arizona Cardinals makes an interception against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Josh Bynes #57 of the Arizona Cardinals makes an interception against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals defense played a great game in giving the team their sixth win of the season

Not much offense to talk about on Sunday but the Arizona Cardinals defense played probably their best game of the season in leading the Cardinals to a 12-7 win on Sunday over the Tennessee Titans.  The Cardinals are now 6-7 on the season.

For the first part of the game, both teams traded punts.  That lasted into the second quarter before the Titans broke that with a Derrick Henry touchdown.

That Henry touchdown was the only score for the Titans on the day.  The Cardinals defense shut the Titans out in the second half.

At halftime we talked about adjustments.  The Cardinals did just that.  They forced Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota into two interceptions.

The Cardinals defense also had three sacks of Mariota on Sunday afternoon.  One of those was by linebacker Chandler Jones.  He now has an NFL-leading 14 sacks.

As for the Cardinals offense, they struggled most of the day.  The Cardinals got four field goals from kicker Phil Dawson.  He also missed his eighth field goal of the season.

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No touchdowns for the Cardinals on Sunday which can be frustrating for both players and fans. They had their chances but there was some failed execution.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was sacked eight times on Sunday.  He did throw for 178-yards.  Also the running game did improve in the second half.

Kerwynn Williams ran 20 times for 73-yards.  The Cardinals even gave the ball to receiver Chad Williams for a run.  He took it 33-yards.  That was a huge play in the fourth quarter.

Another big play was the Titans attempting to fake a field goal attempt.  Initially the Titans were awarded the first down.  However Cardinals coach Bruce Arians challenged and won.  The Cardinals got the ball inside Titans territory.  It was a game changer.

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald surpassed former NFL receiver Randy Moss for third all-time on the receiving list for yards.  For the day he caught five passes for 44-yards.

Now the Cardinals head east to face the Washington Redskins next week.  They will play their final home game in two weeks against the New York Giants on Christmas Eve.

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