The Tennessee Titans finished 2016 with a 9-7 record. That is their best record since 2010. The Titans were also able to pull off some big wins, including two big road wins in Detroit and Kansas City.
Unfortunately, the Titans couldn’t outlast the Houston Texans and missed the playoffs. They also lost quarterback Marcus Mariota to a broken fibula.
The team is looking forward to 2017 now. They also know who they will play in 2017, in both Nashville and otherwise.
Previewing the 2017 Tennessee Titans Schedule
The Titans will play fellow AFC South foes Houston, Indianapolis and Jacksonville in 2017. That is a given. This list contains teams they won’t face twice a year.
Home Opponents
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will be without a big key to their offense in wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. Now, quarterback Joe Flacco has probably hit rock bottom with no help around him. The Titans will see this and look to take advantage when the Ravens come to Nashville.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are the Ravens with two good weapons. The Titans defense will need to stop wide receiver AJ Green and tight end Tyler Eifert.
On offense, the offensive line will need to protect Mariota. Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones are two of the dirtiest players in the NFL. They will probably go after Mariota’s leg to get him out of the game.
Los Angeles Rams
The Titans have a much better team than the Rams all around and shouldn’t have a problem winning easily when the Rams come to town.
Still, it is not known who their coach is. If they’re coached by Sean Payton, he could make them a better team. As of right now, the Titans will win over the Rams.
Seattle Seahawks
This could prove to be a very exciting game. Both Mariota and Russell Wilson are able to make plays with their feet, so the two defenses will have to plan for both quarterbacks passing and rushing.
If the Titans can keep up with the Seahawks on offense, this could very easily be a high-scoring affair. This game should be one fans will want to mark their calendars for.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are another team that could pose a serious threat to the Titans. They have one of the best teams in the NFL. Quarterback Derek Carr is outstanding and he has two wide receivers helping him out. Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper are two of the best receivers in the league.
The Titans will have a hard time containing these three offensive stars. They will also have to prepare for Khalil Mack. The sack machine is a threat to any offensive line.
Away Opponents
Cleveland Browns
There’s not much to say. It’s the Browns. It wouldn’t be surprising if both Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry rush for 100 yards each and Mariota throws for 400 yards. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the Titans pitched a shutout.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are a tough team to go up against. Their offense alone is one of the toughest to stop in the NFL. The Titans defense may not be ready to go up against them.
Arizona Cardinals
The last time the Titans played the Cardinals, Vince Young threw a touchdown pass to Kenny Britt as time expired to give the Titans a win. This time around, however, the Titans will be facing off against a hot Arizona defense.
Cornerback Tyrann Matheiu and safety Patrick Peterson will make it near impossible for the Titans receivers to make plays. If the Titans want to win, they’ll need to rely on their running game.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were a bad team in 2016. In fact, they were second worst behind the Browns. It doesn’t look like things will get much better for them, either. Tennessee is looking at another easy road win as long as they can stop Colin Kaepernick.
Miami Dolphins
The Titans will already travel to Miami in 2018. Since the Titans and Dolphins both finished the same place in their division (second), they’ll meet in 2017 as well.
Both teams had improved quarterbacks who met their untimely end in 2016. Both also have great running backs. The Titans have both Murray and Henry to run their backfield.
As for Miami, Jay Ajayi had a breakout year in 2016. He rushed for 1,459 yards and nine touchdowns. Like the Seattle game, this game could easily be a high-scoring affair. It might come down to which defense steps up late.
After missing the playoffs by the slimmest of margins, the Titans will look to play for Super Bowl LII in 2018 which will be played on Feb. 4, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
