One loss by a walk-off field goal can shake your confidence. Two consecutive losses in this manner can leave you utterly bewildered. But three straight losses due to walk-off field goals? That seems inconceivable.
Not for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, who once held a 21-3 lead over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, seemingly positioned to humiliate first overall draft pick Cam Ward and hand Nashville a fifth consecutive defeat. However, the Cardinals fell apart in the final moments of the Week 5 game, conceding 19 unheard-of points, concluding with Joey Slye’s 29-yard walk-off field goal as the Cardinals watched in astonishment.
The Titans left State Farm Stadium victorious with a 22-21 score, marking their first win of the 2025 season. On the other hand, the Cardinals painfully made history as the first team to drop three straight games due to walk-off field goals. What went wrong for Arizona to tumble to a 2-3 record? Here are the critical failures that led to their monumental collapse:
Kyler Murray’s Second Half Struggles
Murray had a strong start on Sunday, leading two touchdown drives early in the game. However, his performance took a turn for the worse in the second half, as he struggled to find his rhythm in the pocket. At one point, a lost fumble on a third-and-long play left the Cardinals reeling. His performance further slipped, resulting in a sequence of plays that included fumbling and punting multiple times throughout the second half.
“The @Titans defense jumps on the loose ball for the takeaway! TENvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+ link” — NFL (@NFL)
Emari Demarcado’s Critical Mistake
With James Conner and Trey Benson sidelined, Demarcado was expected to step up. His 72-yard rushing play seemed to seal the win, but he dropped the ball just shy of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Tennessee.
“Why do players do this? Emari Demarcado must have seen Adonai Mitchell do this just last week and yet….” — James D Koh (@JamesDKoh)
The Titans’ Unbelievable Turnover Touchdown
The Cardinals’ defense appeared to have sealed the game with an interception, only for Dadrion Taylor-Emerson to fumble as he hit the ground, giving the Titans a miraculous touchdown.
“Picked! Fumbled! Touchdown! A wild TD by the @Titans!” — NFL (@NFL)
Cam Ward’s Daring Final Drive
Despite a shaky start, Ward showcased his talent when it mattered. After a quick Cardinals punt, he led a remarkable 71-yard drive, capped off with a critical sideline throw that set up Slye’s game-winning field goal.
“WARD TO RIDLEY FOR 38 YARDS! TENvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+ link” — NFL (@NFL)
This defeat has left the Cardinals in a precarious situation, needing to address their late-game execution if they wish to avoid repeated failures in the future.
