The Tennessee Titans have had a busy offseason filling significant roles, leading to some pretty lofty expectations from the NFL universe. Is it warranted? Well, on paper, they are set for an AFC South title: second easiest schedule, healthy Marcus Mariota, improved Derrick Henry, loaded receiving corps, brand new secondary, and of course their offensive line – is it the Titans year?
It can be, but there are some big games they will need look out for in 2017.
Tennessee Titans Biggest Games of 2017
Week 1 vs. Oakland
It starts right off the bat against a lethal Raiders team. Luckily for the Titans; it’s at home. Nonetheless, the Titans don’t have an easy task out of the gate and thank goodness. Why ease into the season against the Jets (a bad team) when they can get into form faster against one of the best teams in the AFC. This game will be a great measuring stick for the Titans, so they know what level they need to play at to compete in the conference.
Don’t count out the Titans in this one. Oakland only managed to squeak out a win thanks to what could be an iffy call, maybe??
The game also marks Marshawn Lynch NFL return after playing with camels in Egypt.
Good thing that Titans they were second against the run last year. However, they didn’t face any runnings backs who trained in the sand wearing boots… this may be a problem.
Week 3 vs. Seattle
Two weeks later and the Titans will be tested again with a visit from the Seahawks. Not having this game in Seattle is very kind of the NFL. The league apparently owed the Titans something; maybe it’s a deal for them to stop ripping teams off at the draft ** Cough** Rams **Cough ***
The Seahawks are an interesting case. Are they actually as good as their record says? Or does the weak NFC West inflate their record?
Regardless if the Seahawks are elite or not, it won’t be an easy game with Russell Wilson at the helm and that great secondary looking to prey on Mariota, but it’s definitely a winnable game, and it’s a great game to get early in the season. Week three vs. Seattle compared to week 13…umm, no thanks.
Week 7 @ Cleveland
If there is such a thing as a ‘must win’ within a 17 game season, then week seven against the Browns is the one. As crazy as that sounds, the Titans need to win this game a week before their bye.
Could you even try to comprehend how devastating it would be if the Titans lost to the Browns before their amazingly gifted week eight bye? No way! Most Titans fans are probably cringing at the idea as they read this. So, yeah, it’s a big game whether they smoke them or not, must win.
If the Titans are healthy then there are no excuses. Who cares about Myles Garrett, you’ve all heard of Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin. No problem. Plus the Titans secondary won’t be tested, Logan Ryan will be all over Corey Coleman, and that’s the extent of their passing attack.
Week 11 @ Pittsburgh
A little Thursday nighter that isn’t against the Jaguars; thank the heavens.
The Steelers could be a big problem for the Titans on both sides of the ball. That revamped secondary will have their hands full against Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, and of course, Le’Veon Bell, not much else that needs to be said; Le’Veon Bell – he’s good.
Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, and the pass-rush will certainly need to play a significant role to take pressure off the secondary. But, against a top rated offensive line, this will be a tough game on the road.
The top-5 offensive lines heading into 2017
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— PFF (@PFF) June 28, 2017
For Mariota and the run game; Ryan Shazier is the player they need to worry about. The young and tremendous linebacker is a monster at tracking the ball from sideline-to-sideline at 100mph. It’s quite the nuisance for opposing teams.
Week 11 against the Steelers could be the hardest game for the Titans all year.
Divison Games – Week 2,4,6,12,13,17
It doesn’t matter how you look at it, with the AFC South so tight, every game is worth double.
Jacksonville: Week 2 & 17
Week two will be the home opener for Jacksonville and the first game that matters for Leonard Fournette in front of the fans. The cornerback duo (A.J. Bouye/Jalen Ramsey) over there is also not great if you’re a Titans fan, and the despite the Titans plethora of receiving options, they could still be working out some kinks.
Come week 17 when the Titans are at home and are perhaps running on all cylinders, and there is an AFC South title on the line, it’s a different story. The Titans probably split these two games with the Jags.
Even a Jaguars’ fan wouldn’t take Blake Bortles over Mariota in a must win week 17.
Texans: Week 4 & 13
The Texans are the Titans biggest threat to oust them from winning the division.
Houston won this division with Brock Osweiler! That is insane and it’s a testament to how great their defense is. Tom Savage is an improvement, and if that doesn’t work out DeShaun Watson has some pretty raw talent, the kid has a knack for winning.
The biggest game between these two is week 13. Texans play Ravens in Baltimore, Monday night in week 12 and then stay on the road to face Titans. A division win this late in the season could go a long way, mark this one on the calender for sure.
Colts: Week 6 & 12
The Titans are 0-11 against their AFC South rival, dating back to 2011. Their first chance to end that skid will be in Nashville on a Monday night in week six. Titans are coming off back-to-back road games (Houston, Miami) and should be amped to return home to their first Monday Nighter since 2014, where they lost to the Steelers 27-24.
A Steelers team they face a week before facing the Colts again – woah. The Titans have three sets of back-to-back road games: Texans/Dolphins (Week 4-5), Steelers/Colts (Week 11-12), Cardinals/49ers (14-15). Pittsburgh and Indianapolis will be the Titans biggest challenge of the season. Winning their two games against the Colts will be tough, but to do it after facing a stingy Steelers team? It’s unsure if the Titans are there yet which makes their week six matchup all that more important.
Important Note: Just because they are the biggest games doesn’t mean they are must wins.
