4/18 Poll Results: Reaction to Tennessee Titans 2013-14 NFL Schedule
Joshua Huffman
(I chose “Intermediate”).
It has been just more than 24 hours since the 2013-14 NFL schedule was released. Tennessee Titans enthusiasts have had some time to think about their team schedule. After 51 votes, it appears as though some fans believe that this team will get sunk before their Week 8 bye.
To start the season, the Titans will play road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans. Their home-opener comes against the San Diego Chargers. Since 1993, the Titans have lost nine consecutive games to the Chargers. That has some fans thinking about the possibility of a 0-3 start.
Life gets simpler with home games against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. The Titans follow that up with back-to-back games against the Seattle Seahawks (at CenturyLink Field) and San Francisco 49ers. That could make the Titans an underdog in five of their first seven games.
Without an upset, the Titans could start 2-5. A playoff berth becomes unlikely. At the least, the Titans would have to win seven of their last nine games. That would give them a 9-7 record and it wouldn’t assure them of a wild-card berth. Their post-bye week schedule includes road games against the St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. From Nov. 24 through Dec. 8, there’s a three-game road journey that includes two West Coast trips.
The Titans weren’t the only AFC South team who were dealt with a difficult opening schedule. For the first five weeks, the Texans will play the following opponents: at San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, at Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks and at San Francisco 49ers. Later in the season, the Texans have out-of-division games against the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.
For the Titans, it’s a challenging schedule. At the same time, the schedule alone won’t prevent them from reaching their potential. At some point, playoff contenders must defeat other playoff teams, not just sneak into the postseason after defeating 10 cupcakes. They’ll have plenty of opportunities to create some momentum with big wins during the first three weeks.
Let’s have a good draft and get ready for next season.