3 Bold Predictions: Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans – Week 1

Arizona’s run defense holds strong vs. Henry

Derrick Henry is one of the league’s best running backs, but he is known to struggle early in the season. In 2019, he rushed under 3.9 yards per carry between Weeks 3 and 6. In 2020, he failed to hit 3.75 yards per carry in three of the first four weeks of the season.

The Titans often rely on Henry to open things up for quarterback Ryan Tannehill and their dynamic pass-catching unit that now includes Julio Jones. But given Henry’s inconsistency early in the last two seasons, the Cardinals run defense has a golden opportunity to hold Henry to under 100 rushing yards. Something opponents did three times in the first seven weeks (six games) of 2020.

With a solid rotation at inside linebacker that includes Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, and Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals are in prime position to converge and counter the Titans running game. Also, we will see safety Budda Baker flying around the field. Henry may be the league’s best back, but his early-season struggles combined with a solid run-stopping unit from the Cardinals will give him a long day.