Mike Vrabel is entering his fifth season as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He received a contract extension in February 2022 after the 2021 season in which the Titans lost in the AFC Divisional Round to the eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. But 2022 was not the year the Titans had hoped for after finishing 12-5 last year. Between rumors of trading their prized running back, Derrick Henry, to quarterback Ryan Tannehill, they seem to be in the midst of a transition moving forward.
There will be quite a few interesting narratives going into 2023 for the Titans. One is when and if second-round pick Will Lewis gets the starting job. Will this be another setback for the Titans quarterback draft pick? Also, who is going to develop as a reliable receiver for this team? Because the Titans didn’t do much to help matters in the draft.
Fortunately for the Titans, they have the fifth-easiest schedule, outside of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and play in a division where they can win some games.
With all 32 NFL teams’ schedules now officially out, let’s take a look and make a play-by-play prediction for each matchup.
Week 1 – Sunday 9/10 – 1:00pm EDT – Caesars Superdome
New Orleans Saints
Week 1 is easy to prepare for because everyone has been preparing for months. Mike Vrabel is a great game planner, getting the most out of what he has. I could see the Titans pulling an upset here with a learning curve for Derek Carr in his first game as a Saint. The Titans will have people talking about a win in the Superdome.
Record: 1-0
Week 2 – Sunday 9/17 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Los Angeles Chargers
Things get a little more serious in Week 2 when Justin Herbert and the Chargers come to Music City. The Chargers have a lot to prove this year and the Titans are in a bit of a rebuild. Tennessee gave up a career-worst 4,671 yards last season. Herbert finished second in passing yards last season. Not good for the Titans.
Record: 1-1
Week 3 – Sunday 9/24 – 1:00 pm EDT – FirstEnergy Stadium
Cleveland Browns
This year is going to be a fun year for the Browns with Deshaun Watson under center. This could be a bit of a coming out party for Watson. The Titans won’t have a good day in Cleveland.
Record: 1-2
Week 4 – Sunday 10/1 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Cincinnati Bengals
Again, last year the Titans were one of the worst against the pass. They welcome one of the best quarterbacks in the league to their home in Joe Burroughs. Without a good Vrabel coach here, the Titans lose.
Record: 1-3
Week 5 – Sunday 10/8 – 1:00 pm EDT – Lucas Oil Stadium
by the Indianapolis Colts
This is a promising game for the Titans as the Colts simply aren’t good enough and will try to replace their first round pick, Anthony Richardson, at the quarterback position. It’s doubtful he’ll start in Week 5, and even if he does, it might not matter.
Record: 2-3
Week 6 – Sunday 10/15 – 9:30 am EDT – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Baltimore Ravens
This will be one of nine home games for the Titans when they host the Crows in London. But even though the Titans’ run defense is one of their strengths, they won’t have any home-field advantage across the pond, especially against the Ravens.
Record: 2-4
Week 7 – Bye
Week 8 – Sunday 10/29 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Atlanta Hawks
Under Vrabel, the Titans have been undefeated since coming back. While this is an exciting matchup for Arthur Smith’s return to Nashville and his former team, Vrabel’s run will come to an end. The Titans lose, but it’s close.
Record: 2-5
Week 9 – Thursday 11/2 – 8:15 pm EDT – Acrisure Stadium
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Thursday night games have become a little strange. Last season, the NFL had the worst games since signing a 10-year deal with Amazon Prime to broadcast Thursday night games. Both teams are coming off short weeks, but without good reason, I believe that the Titans will go into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers, who are trying to find their identity.
Record: 3-5
Week 10 – Sunday 11/12 – 1:00 pm EDT – Raymond-James Stadium
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Titans and Bucks don’t seem too far apart. But I believe the Titans can be offensive, especially at running back, and Ryan Tannehill is more serviceable than Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask, or anyone else, should try to start for the Bucs.
Record: 4-5
Week 11 – Sunday 11/19 – 1:00 pm EDT – TIAA Bank Field
Jacksonville Jaguars
For the third week in a row, the Titans are on the road, this time in an AFC South divisional game. The Jags are likely to be hitting on all cylinders this season. They roll the titans.
The record: 4-6
Week 12 – Sunday 11/26 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Carolina Panthers
Who knows who will start in Carolina this time? Bryce Young may still be at the bottom of the learning tree, or he may be in the middle. Regardless, the Panthers still need a lot of work. The Titans excel here.
Record: 5-6
Week 13 – Sunday 12/3 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Indianapolis Colls
There are always odd games during the season where one team loses to a team that doesn’t deserve it. This is that week for the Titans where they still can’t reach .500 and get beat by a struggling Colts team.
Record: 5-7
Week 14 – Sunday 12/11 – 8:15 pm EDT – Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Dolphins
Well, this isn’t going to be the best Sunday Night Football. In just the Titans’ second first-round game of the year, this could have been an ugly one. But then again, Tua Tagovailoa could already be hurt again, and the Dolphins could be swimming in mediocrity. Still, the Dolphins are very talented, which means the Titans lose.
Record: 5-8
Week 15 – Sunday 12/17 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Houston Texans
Finally, a chance for the Titans to get back in the win column. They’re Texans, let’s go.
The record: 6-8
Week 16 – Sunday 12/24 – 1:00 pm EDT – Nissan Stadium
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks surprised them last year and have a strong draft class that will help them this coming season. I still don’t believe Geno Smith is the quarterback of the future for the Seahawks, but being under .500 will be enough to beat a Titans team.
The record: 6-9
Week 17 – Sunday 12/31 – 1:00 pm EDT – NRG Stadium
Houston Texans
Look at Week 15. The Titans got their last win of the season.
Record: 7-9
Week 18 – TBD – Nissan Stadium
Jacksonville Jaguars
The only way the Titans can win this game is if the Jags pull their starters because their playoff spot is all but secured. Either way, the Titans could play very uninspired football during that time, setting up a top-10 pick in the draft.
Record: 7-10
The Titans will finish at 7-10, just like they did last year, looking ahead to the draft.
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