GLENDALE — Off the rails. That’s about the best way to describe the ending of the Arizona Cardinals’ 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 5.
After looking like the superior team through two quarters of play, having rid itself of lethargic offensive play and turning up the heat defensively, the Cardinals again played with their food and almost came up choking.
And while the sloppy play offensively and miscommunication ratcheted up in the second half, it was two back-breaking moments by Emari Demercado and Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson that sealed Arizona’s fate.
Demercado looked to be the dagger in the Titans’ side behind a long fourth-quarter scamper that appeared to go the distance.
That was until it was shown on the review that he dropped the ball before crossing the plane.
Instead of at least six points (barring an extra point or two-point conversion), the Cardinals gave the ball back to Tennessee as a touchback.
The Titans responded with a touchdown drive.
Then came Rabbit in the red zone.
Despite picking off Cam Ward late in the fourth quarter and deep in Tennessee’s own territory, the safety couldn’t keep his handle on the rock.
He coughed it up, it rolled into the end zone and the Titans suddenly made it a two-point game.
Arizona mustered just six plays of offense on the ensuing drive, setting up the Titans for one last shot at taking the win, and Joey Slye nailed his first career walk-off kick from 29 yards out.