GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Titans struck gold in the desert.
A furious fourth quarter rally produced a 22-21 win over the Cardinals here on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
The win ended a 10-game losing streak.
Trailing 21-6 in the fourth quarter, the Titans scored 16 straight points to close it out behind quarterback Cam Ward's clutch performance down the stretch.
Kicker Joey Slye kicked a 29-yard field goal at the horn to win it.
With the win, the Titans improved to 1-4.
Things didn't look good until the end.
After the Cardinals scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Michael Carter, the Titans the responded with a 44-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye to cut the lead to 7-3.
But the Cardinals answered right back, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kyler Murray to make it 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Then came a fumble by running back Tony Pollard, and a one-yard touchdown run by Zonovan Knight to make it 21-3 Cardinals early in the second quarter.
The Titans got a spark with a 65-kickoff return by Chimere Dike, but they had to settle for another field goal from Slye, this one from 51 yards, to make it 21-6 at the 8:29 mark of the second quarter, and that was the score at the half.
The Titans couldn't get anything going on offense in the third quarter, when they had three straight three-and-outs.
It looked bleak.
Until a crazy comeback in the closing minutes.
In the fourth quarter, they cut the lead to 21-12 with 10:26 left on a one-yard touchdown run by Pollard, which capped a six-play, 80-yard drive that included big catches from receiver Calvin Ridley and tight end Gunnar Helm. But a missed PAT by Slye kept it a two-score game.
A wild play ensued, as receiver Tyler Lockett recovered a fumble in the end zone, after a Cardinals player fumbled following an interception. It made the score 21-19 with 4:39 left in the contest.
The Titans had life.
After a defensive stop, the Titans got the ball back at their own 18-yard line late, and Ward directed a game-winning drive in the closing moments, his biggest completion a 38-yarder to Calvin Ridley, which out the team in field goal range.
Then, Slye delivered.
The Titans return to action next Sunday at the Las Vegas Raiders.