2013 Tennessee Titans Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions, Info & Analysis

The 2013 NFL schedule has been officially released for the Tennessee Titans as well as the rest of the NFL. Now we know not only who the Titans will play in the upcoming season, but when. 

With that info in our hands, it's time for a game-by-game look at the Titans' 2013 season. Much can change between now and kickoff weekend, but this is how things might play out for Chris Johnson and company if the season started today.

Last season, the Titans went 6-10, but aren't any closer to fielding a competent offense around Jake Locker. Both he and Mike Munchak will be under close inspection this season and will need a good year to stay safe in their current jobs.

Week 1: Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Matchup

While the Steelers are on a downswing right now, they've still got a potent defense and will look to have a bit of a revamped offense in 2013. The Titans will need to keep Lamarr Woodley and the rest of the Steelers' rush at bay, but that's easier said than done. Rushing yards are going to be even harder to come by, but the Titans can't forget the run or Pittsburgh will tee off on them.

The Score: Steelers 28, Titans 9

The Steelers offense isn't going to be firing on all cylinders either, but they're going to lean on the defense and pick up the home victory.

Week 2: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

The Matchup

This is going to be the type of game where the color could go out on your TV and no one would know the difference between this or a game from the 50s. With Chris Johnson running at full steam against a Texans front that has seen some losses and a Texans team trying to establish Arian Foster and the run game, there won't be many passes.

The Score: Texans 20, Titans 13

The Titans stay within striking distance, but when it's time to put on the game-winning drive, Locker crumbles and the Texans are the victors.

Week 3: San Diego Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The Chargers are going to take a step forward in 2013 because the biggest issue last season was that the offense didn't fit the personnel. Norv Turner tried to air things out with no protection in front of Phillip Rivers and the entire team fell apart. Against the Titans, Rivers will be free to dink and dunk as he gets into a rhythm. If the Titans want to win, they will have to pressure him and hope he throws a few of his trademark picks.

The Score: Chargers 28, Titans 13

Locker has plenty of upside, but look for Rivers and crew to pounce on the Titans early by commanding the defensive line of scrimmage and airing it out.

Week 4: New York Jets vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The Jets were a laughing stock at points last season, so it's easy to forget that they almost made the playoffs in the final weeks. With re-focused effort and a few pieces added in the draft, they could easily return to form in 2013. The Titans are going to have to pressure Mark Sanchez and hope he falls apart. If not, the Jets could have the last laugh in this one.

The Score: Titans 24, Jets 19

In the end, this might be different at the Meadowlands, but at home the Titans should be able to pull some tricks out of their sleeve.

Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The Chiefs are a much better team this year and that has everything to do with the quarterback position. Sure, Alex Smith isn't a top QB, but he's worlds better than Matt Cassel. Combine that with the addition of Andy Reid, who is ridiculously better at coaching than Romeo Crennel, and the Chiefs have an outside shot at being playoff contenders.

The Score: Chiefs 27, Titans 10

Smith can rip up the Titans defense with high-percentage passing while the Chiefs defense tears up the Titans offensive front.

Week 6: Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Matchup

The Seahawks have had a great offseason and have added a ton of talent to an already-stacked roster. Michael Roos and David Stewart will be able to hold off the Seahawks' pass-rush for a time, but Seattle's rotation is too deep and too talented to be kept at bay for long. On defense, the Titans don't have anyone to match up with Percy Harvin.

The Score: Seahawks 35, Titans 10

No package that the Titans can come up with is going to match up well with the 'Hawks. Go big and they can go bigger, spread them out and they roll out their awesome defensive back depth. Seattle rolls.

Week 7: San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The AFC South really drew the short straw this year as they have to match up with the NFC West—the new scariest division in football. It's difficult to talk about Xs and Os when the Niners are just that more talented than the Titans. CJ2K will try to keep the Titans in it, and their tackle tandem may be able to keep the 49ers pass-rush at bay for a while. Overall, however, this should be a big road win for San Francisco.

The Score: 49ers 44, Titans 10

The Titans aren't going to feel great after this result, but the 49ers are going to treat them as a speed bump on way to another playoff appearance.

Week 8: BYE WEEK

Record at the Bye:1-6

Feel that seat getting hotter, Mike Munchak? The Titans have had to face some of the NFL's best in the first half of the season, but that may not save Munchak's job. The Titans will have to have a much better second half if the current regime wants another chance.

Week 9: Tennessee Titans vs. St. Louis Rams

The Matchup

The Rams defense took huge steps forward in 2012 and this year should be all about supporting Sam Bradford and the offense. The new Rams' tight end—Jared Cook—will look awfully familiar to Titans fans, and he should be an integral part in Bradford's maturation. With Jake Long protecting Bradford's blindside, the Titans pass rush will need to work extra hard to get pressure.

The Score: Rams 27, Titans 13

The Rams defense will force Locker into a bunch of mistakes with their pass rush, and young corners like Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson will capitalize.

Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The Jaguars are going to come in guns a'blazing, trying to get ahead on the road and allow Maurice Jones-Drew to run them to victory. The Titans have improved talent on defense, though, and will take advantage of any Jaguars' missteps.

The Score: Titans 24, Jaguars 10

The Titans take care of business at home and send the Jaguars back to the drawing board. Once they get a lead, Chris Johnson can take it from there.

Week 11: Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

This matchup used to feature Peyton Manning and Steve McNair. As much as Andrew Luck looks like he's excelling early on in his career, Jake Locker has a lot to do before he can be mentioned in that conversation. The Colts will look to spread the Titans out while the Titans will look to take advantage of turnover in the Colts' front seven and attack with the run game.

The Score: Colts 24, Titans 17

There are moments in the third quarter where both quarterbacks are in rhythm. For the most part, however, they show their age with the Colts ultimately winning the turnover battle.

Week 12: Tennessee Titans vs. Oakland Raiders

The Matchup

The trip off to the West Coast isn't going to be fun, but the opponent waiting for the Titans is going to make everything better. The Raiders are in the very beginning of a very long rebuild that is complicated with how bad they were beforehand as well as firing their offensive coordinator this offseason. The Titans should be able to take advantage of a defense with so many moving parts.

The Score: Titans 31, Raiders 10

The Titans pass rush will harass Matt Flynn and Chris Johnson will finish things off easily.

Week 13: Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Matchup

The Colts are a very good team at home and the Titans will have trouble finding their footing against a defense that is going to look to tee off on them. Chris Johnson could have some success at different points throughout the game. Overall, however, this game will be more about the Colts' ascendance than the Titans' ability to climb the leaderboard in the AFC South.

The Score: Colts 27, Titans 13

Luck won't be perfect, but he'll get into enough of a groove that the Titans defense won't be able to stop him as he cruises to victory.

Week 14: Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos

The Matchup

The Broncos added Wes Welker this offseason but might not even need him to tear apart the Titans secondary. Peyton Manning knows the Titans inside and out and shouldn't have any problem finding openings with all of his fantastic targets. On offense, the Titans are going to have to run the ball very effectively against the Broncos' interior defensive line and avoid letting Von Miller pin his ears back.

The Score: Broncos 23, Titans 17

In a much closer game than some might expect, Johnson racks up big yardage and keeps Manning off the field. In the end, however, Peyton gets the win at Mile High.

Week 15: Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

The Cardinals have a pretty simple plan moving forward—protect Carson Palmer and then work that receiving corps deep. Sadly, the protection in Arizona has been so poor in recent years, that is better said than done. Combine that with Palmer's clearly declining skills and things are not going to go well for Bruce Arians in his first year as a head coach.

The Score: Titans 17, Cardinals 9

The Titans aren't going to score a lot, but it's more than enough to down the lowly Cardinals in Nashville.

Week 16: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Matchup

Heading to Jacksonville can be a tricky proposition, so can any divisional rivalry game. Still with the Jaguars so fresh on their most recent rebuild, the Titans will have enough firepower to get a convincing win. Look for Locker to have a big day as the Jaguars don't have the defensive backs to hold up in coverage.

The Score: Jaguars 13, Titans 9

The Jaguars will try to pace the game with Maurice Jones-Drew, but things will get out of hand in the second half for Gabbert and company.

Week 17: Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

The Matchup

At home, the Texans are going to be comfortable pinning their ears back and putting up big passing yards, knowing that they can get to Locker if he's forced to put the ball up. Look for a big game by the Texans' secondary targets as the Titans have enough defensive backfield talent to shade and stymie Andre Johnson, but Matt Schaub will find a rhythm and attack elsewhere.

The Score: Texans 33, Titans 17

The Titans need to improve this year, but beating the Texans at home just isn't happening.

Final Predictions

Final Record: 4-12

This may look like a worst-case scenario for the Titans and it probably is. They have a lot more work to do during the rest of the offseason (even after the good work they've already done). As of right now, though, this could easily be a team looking for a new head coach and quarterback next offseason.

Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff at The Go Route.

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