Ricky Dimon
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The Tennessee Titans’ four most recent records? 9-7, 9-7, 9-7, and 9-7. Talk about consistency! Is something other than 9-7 finally in the cards for the 2020 campaign? The Titans certainly home so, because such a mark would be considered an underachievement based on lofty expectations.
Tennessee is coming off an AFC Championship appearance, which it earned by scoring playoff victories over the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. And this season’s schedule is by no means difficult, so all signs point to plenty of success in the Music City.
Week 1: @ Denver Broncos
Ryan Tannehill was given the reins to the franchise at least for the foreseeable future. He may not be Tom Brady, but he also isn’t Drew Lock. Tannehill beats Lock comfortably in the opener. Win
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1, however, won’t be as comfortable as Week 2. Jacksonville is on the way down, whereas the Titans are trending upward. This one will basically be over by halftime. Win
Week 3: @ Minnesota Vikings
The schedule gets a lot harder in a hurry, with the Titans traveling to Minnesota for their second road contest of the year. Home-field advantage is the difference for the Vikings in what should be a defensive struggle. Loss
Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee can run the football and stop the run. The home team will win the time of possession battle and keep Ben Roethlisberger off the field long enough to pick up a bounce-back victory. Win
Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Titans’ 2020 home schedule could hardly be any easier. I just don’t see them going 8-0 in those eight games, and if they lose one it will come at the hands of either Buffalo or Chicago. Loss
Week 6: vs. Houston Texans
A home loss certainly isn’t going to come against the Texans, who suffered a playoff collapse while trying to upset the Kansas City Chiefs and saw the ensuing hangover last well into the offseason. Win
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: @ Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee has its bye week to prepare for Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Too much defense will be on display and star running back Derrick Henry will run circles around Cincinnati. Win
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears
This could be a difficult proposition for the Titans, but they will be feeling good thanks to a recent bye, a routine win the previous week, and another home game coming up in Week 10. Win
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee’s second of three primetime games comes on a Thursday night. It’s safe to say that it is the Titans who are the marquee attraction here; not the Colts. This shouldn’t be competitive. Win
Week 11: @ Baltimore Ravens
A four-game winning streak comes to an end in Baltimore, where the Titans prevailed during last year’s playoffs. But the Ravens seem to be a whole different beast in the regular season. Loss
Week 12: @ Indianapolis Colts
This is a tough stretch of back-to-back road outings. Obviously the first one is far more difficult, but that’s not to say this one is easy. Philip Rivers still has enough magic up his sleeve to pull off a few more big wins. Loss
Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns
Tennessee should not have much trouble going 3-1 against the AFC North, succumbing only to Baltimore while beating Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. This will probably be a rout. Win
Week 14: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
It does not matter where these two division rivals square off; the Jaguars are not getting any victory. They will likely be out of it by this point in the season, positioning themselves for a high draft pick. Win
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions
Speaking of being out of it, you can bet the Lions will be gearing up for the offseason come Week 15. Even if they do play inspired football, the visitors have little chance of upsetting Tennessee. Win
Week 16: @ Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is not an easy place to play in late December—especially not at night. Henry will be a workhorse in this one, but in the end the Packers will likely manage to earn a hard-nosed win. Loss
Week 17: @ Houston Texans
The Titans wrap up their regular season in much friendlier conditions than what the Frozen Tundra offers. Barring a whole host of Deshaun Watson heroics, this one won’t be close. Win
Tennessee has not won the AFC South since 2008. That should change—and should change in a big way. Houston, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville are nothing to write home about and the Titans are riding a wave of momentum following last year’s postseason exploits. An 11-5 record would be more than enough to take the division and sail into another playoff berth.
