Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams helped lead a potent rushing attack in Sunday's win over the Titans.
DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are among the most recognizable running back duos in the NFL, and their presence was a major reason why the Titans were atop the AFC South heading into Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals.
But if Kerwynn Williams and the Cardinals' gang of backups were supposed to play second fiddle, they never received that memo. Tennessee's 1-2 punch failed to regularly connect, and it was the Cardinals' lesser-known runners who ended up playing a critical role in the team's 12-7 victory at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Williams finished with 20 carries for 73 yards and the Cardinals totaled 136 on the ground at a 4.7 yards-per-carry clip. Tennessee, meanwhile, had only 22 carries for 65 yards. Murray rushed the ball 11 times for 34 yards and Henry was held to 20 yards on eight carries. The Titans averaged 3.0 yards per rush.
"I don't remember too many times in my time here anybody's run the ball in this stadium on us," coach Bruce Arians said. "Maybe the second half of that one Rams game (in 2015) on a busted assignment or two. If you want to try to come in here and run the ball, go ahead. Your quarterback is going to have to beat us."
The Cardinals began the season with superstar David Johnson at running back, before shuffling to Chris Johnson and then Adrian Peterson. While Peterson has been solid when available, he missed a second straight game with a neck injury.
Like he did in the loss to the Rams, Williams was impressive as a fill-in, keeping the offense balanced in a grind-it-out affair. He also found a way to keep himself balanced, absorbing hits but staying on his feet for extra yardage on multiple carries.
"He's one of those little ping pong balls that bounces in there," Arians said. "He's hard to bring down."
Williams had the best day among any running back in the game, but said his focus was on the defense across from him, not the play of the running backs on the alternate sideline.
"I'm never worried about what other people got going on," Williams said. "I'm worried about myself, how I play."
Williams was the consistent presence, and the running game also received a huge boost from rookie wide receiver Chad Williams. With less than ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the third-round pick took an end-around 33 yards to the Arizona 48. Eight plays later, Phil Dawson connected on a go-ahead 32-yard field goal.
While Williams hasn't made a big impact this season, he showed a flash of his athleticism on the play, firing through the crease for the big gain.
"Chad's got wheels," quarterback Blaine Gabbert said. "That was a big play."
Elijhaa Penny had two carries for 11 yards and an 18-yard reception, as the Cardinals found production from multiple reserve running backs.
The defense made sure the Titans' duo never made a huge impact. Murray had a 54-yard run in the first quarter that was called back for holding, and while Henry had a six-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, it was the last time the Titans' running game had a memorable play.
"We take great pride in it, stopping the run," safety Tyrann Mathieu said.
Gabbert finished the game 17-of-26 for 178 yards and was sacked eight times in the contest. The Cardinals only had 64 yards of total offense at the half and trailed 7-0, but flipped the script in the final two quarters.
At the heart of it was winning the ground game battle, which kept the Titans off the scoreboard and allowed for a deluge of field goals for the narrow victory.
"We've built our team on running the ball and stopping the run, and big plays off of it," Arians said. "We were able to make some of those today on both sides."
Images of the Week 14 matchup at home with Tennessee
![LB Chandler Jones with a tackle for loss](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/epzi7vpuhdxhlbakpwqw.jpg)
LB Chandler Jones with a tackle for loss
![WR Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nhkr4rloyoqyeos06yhm.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/l9vpq2knro08hc08lnrn.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![Patrick Peterson gives a thumbs up](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wkdh3hlsmvqj3h3gyqt6.jpg)
Patrick Peterson gives a thumbs up
![DL Olsen Pierre with the sack](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/srdcaccnfjqmjfh3rn7k.jpg)
DL Olsen Pierre with the sack
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/lvtg3ue1dzmpgsp83bjm.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![RB Kerwynn Williams](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/qof34jqllklpgp4o3n6v.jpg)
RB Kerwynn Williams
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dohxxy9tq7wxezuqhgeo.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![WR Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dncgsyrx5qudbthkzlqe.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald
![C A.Q. Shipley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ox4ydwfg153mhyrznyci.jpg)
C A.Q. Shipley
![Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/addjnopckfpu9nghzy5q.jpg)
Larry Fitzgerald
![An open roof for the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ulyfjpvrfnupq6dannn5.jpg)
An open roof for the game
![Phil Dawson knocks in a field goal for the Cardinals](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/b5m6ogtpxkxyxohr1fe2.jpg)
Phil Dawson knocks in a field goal for the Cardinals
![QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/jktp5ahfimfyk1gm1tbp.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert
![S Antoine Bethea tackles Titans QB Marcus Mariota](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ixoq7uca51vqyolhbenj.jpg)
S Antoine Bethea tackles Titans QB Marcus Mariota
![LB Karlos Dansby in the pregame huddle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/exthfxyrg89turqzjymt.jpg)
LB Karlos Dansby in the pregame huddle
![RB Kerwynn Williams](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/cqlngleiuzttt4w8ymxi.jpg)
RB Kerwynn Williams
![WR J.J. Nelson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wna8ewykfehz7s0diand.jpg)
WR J.J. Nelson
![DL Olsen Pierre with a sack](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/c9fpw4z5uuot26qwef44.jpg)
DL Olsen Pierre with a sack
![Open roof](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nqmruhcfokunopuufbq2.jpg)
Open roof
![DL Olsen Pierre closes in on Titans QB Marcus Mariota](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/c1xliltfusxnhpy8wsjf.jpg)
DL Olsen Pierre closes in on Titans QB Marcus Mariota
![Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hlkawpuvkbpzh2awvk0y.jpg)
Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
![WR Larry Fitzgerald hauls in a catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nutu1axthhckwdyes68w.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald hauls in a catch
![A fan cheers on the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ozihfhglfvhubokamknb.jpg)
A fan cheers on the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium
![Cardinals TE Jermaine Gresham breaks loose](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/c3jzzv4pbguuxwuio1md.jpg)
Cardinals TE Jermaine Gresham breaks loose
![Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald makes the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yjbygzegoada3g0mxgq7.jpg)
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald makes the catch
![LB Chandler Jones tackles Titans RB Derrick Henry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nrunawtygfoojil6vdkp.jpg)
LB Chandler Jones tackles Titans RB Derrick Henry
![Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald lays out for a pass](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/d9q3zrzkmxt4murryhbv.jpg)
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald lays out for a pass
![Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert scrambles to escape pressure](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/k6f2gcso7tuo6c1zb5kh.jpg)
Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert scrambles to escape pressure
![Cardinals WR Jaron Brown gets tackled](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nmjt3zprcrubx6td8jvo.jpg)
Cardinals WR Jaron Brown gets tackled
![Titans QB Marcus Mariota](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wkh1noiobtjyelurakws.jpg)
Titans QB Marcus Mariota
![Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams breaks free](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/h6otezuonhr5u7i7soj5.jpg)
Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams breaks free
![Titans WR Eric Decker with the reception and Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu defends](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/bqxob4xjlhdpefez2eqd.jpg)
Titans WR Eric Decker with the reception and Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu defends
![The Cardinals and Titans at the line of scrimmage](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xzthmlbbc2qx4s7s6bgw.jpg)
The Cardinals and Titans at the line of scrimmage
![Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams hurdles a defender](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/tuhuowzrx5uyuffimx4a.jpg)
Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams hurdles a defender
![H Andy Lee and K Phil Dawson celebrate a made field goal](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/kxtcypuylbc71wf6wg6x.jpg)
H Andy Lee and K Phil Dawson celebrate a made field goal
![Cardinals CB Tramon Williams and Titans WR Corey Davis battle for intended pass](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/w3hco1vqggxg6vdthuih.jpg)
Cardinals CB Tramon Williams and Titans WR Corey Davis battle for intended pass
![Cardinals TE Jermaine Gresham with the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/cxamwcrkloxhbixrpnio.jpg)
Cardinals TE Jermaine Gresham with the catch
![Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams fights for yardage](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/jar730cdlwein3bffnsu.jpg)
Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams fights for yardage
![WR Larry Fitzgerald tosses the ball to the ref after making the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/zzjwdqvhqnwhdbhnrdjl.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald tosses the ball to the ref after making the catch
![DL Olsen Pierre celebrates his sack](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/oe4tja9dusonw5lpcjzv.jpg)
DL Olsen Pierre celebrates his sack
![DL Olsen Pierre wraps up Titans QB Marcus Mariota for a sack](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wdlighgrbwt1aejbxful.jpg)
DL Olsen Pierre wraps up Titans QB Marcus Mariota for a sack
![QB Blaine Gabbert on the ground after getting sacked](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yzicwy7ztm7wui5fnwvr.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert on the ground after getting sacked
![Cardinals LB Chandler Jones with the sack](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/brs9iawxlgxlaywbp9bg.jpg)
Cardinals LB Chandler Jones with the sack
![Tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones (left) and Jermaine Gresham (right)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hld9hcixysrnzodzxjtt.jpg)
Tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones (left) and Jermaine Gresham (right)
![CB Tramon Williams runs after making the interception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wl0hkg98gpw8epfro9a6.jpg)
CB Tramon Williams runs after making the interception
![Titans RB Derrick Henry dives for the pylon](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nn5cgxyzcpfkkbrxv6al.jpg)
Titans RB Derrick Henry dives for the pylon
![Josh Bynes with the interception off Titans QB Marcus Mariota](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/sg9q8omcy6yzidwinaxe.jpg)
Josh Bynes with the interception off Titans QB Marcus Mariota
![The Titans get to Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/se9lvglovwg9fblxktdj.jpg)
The Titans get to Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
![Titans WR Eric Decker tries to bring down Cardinals CB Tramon Williams after an interception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ncqelil4nentasznu4wm.jpg)
Titans WR Eric Decker tries to bring down Cardinals CB Tramon Williams after an interception
![Chandler Jones with the windmill celebration](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/jrgvyfh6ltinz0qo0ufq.jpg)
Chandler Jones with the windmill celebration
![Linebackers Chandler Jones (left) and Kareem Martin (right) celebrate a stop on defense](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/z57pjc8h2ksld47yyzr2.jpg)
Linebackers Chandler Jones (left) and Kareem Martin (right) celebrate a stop on defense
![Cardinals LB Kareem Martin (right) congratulates CB Tramon Williams (left) on his pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ds1dzk3xkxopqlmisi2b.jpg)
Cardinals LB Kareem Martin (right) congratulates CB Tramon Williams (left) on his pick
![Larry Fitzgerald (left) tackles Titans WR Eric Decker (right) after the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/snmwkfn0r3ik5mvurolo.jpg)
Larry Fitzgerald (left) tackles Titans WR Eric Decker (right) after the game