Tennessee Titans: Ranking the 10 Toughest Games on 2011 Schedule

The 2011 schedule for the Tennessee Titans has its fair share of tough opponents, but it's not nearly as intimidating of a schedule that it has been in the past.

Sometimes the schedule can play a major factor in whether a team can make an improbable run to the postseason, and the Titans would be considered one of those improbable teams by many.

The Titans should have plenty of winnable games on the schedule, including teams like the Panthers, Broncos, and Bengals.

It's going to take a few upsets and winning the games they're supposed to win for the Titans to have a chance to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008.

Here's a list of the Titans' 10 toughest games on the schedule, and what they'll have to do to pull off the win.

10. Colts at LP Field, Week 8

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Jared Cook #89 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Pat Angerer #51 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Despite having a very ugly 2010 season, the Titans were still able to push the Colts to the limit in their two meetings.

They only lost by a combined five points in both losses.

This season's meeting may offer similar results. The Colts are no longer the dominant team they once were, but they do still have Peyton Manning, who always manages to gives the Titans fits.

It will be interesting to see how new defensive coordinator Jerry Gray handles the Colts offense in comparison to the way Jeff Fisher and his defensive coordinators attacked the Colts.

A lot of times it seemed that the Titans defense blitzed Manning far too often and allowed him to just take target practice on the secondary.

The Titans home crowd will help make this a competitive game, but it will still be a huge challenge lining up against No. 18.

9. Buccaneers at LP Field, Week 12

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 celebrates after throwing a touchdown with Dezmon Briscoe #89 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orlea

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the up-and-coming teams in the NFC, and Josh Freeman at quarterback is leading the charge.

We don't have much to go on when it comes to previous meetings between these two teams, because they haven't played each other since 2007.

You can expect that the Bucs will use a steady dose of LaGarrette Blount, the guy the Titans cut last season.

This game could end up being a long day for the Titans defense if they don't shut the Bucs run game down early and often.

8. Texans at LP Field, Week 7

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Chris Hope #24 of the Tennessee Titans tackles Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

These two teams have gotten to know each other very well over the years, and you better believe both Cortland Finnegan and Andre Johnson have this game marked on their calendars with emphasis.

The Titans will once again have their hands full guarding against the pass, but whoever the Titans quarterback ends up being will have to pay special attention to that Texans defensive line.

We've all seen what Mario Williams can do, but you can't forget about the Texans' first-round draft pick J.J. Watt.

The Texans have only managed one win in Nashville since 2004, but this could be the best team the Texans have had in their short franchise history.

7. Jaguars at EverBank Field, Week 1

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

This game makes the list simply because it's the first game of the season and it will take time for this team to find its way.

Even if Kerry Collins returns as the starter yet again, he'll still have a new playbook to learn just like Jake Locker would have to.

However, the Jags could have some growing pains of their own if for some reason David Garrard isn't working out. Remember, the Jags drafted Blaine Gabbert, who the Titans passed on for Jake Locker.

There are going to be growing pains, and we'll see them against Jacksonville on the road.

6. Saints at LP Field, Week 14

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NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 02: Marc Mariani #83 of the Tennessee Titans makes a catch as Reggie Jones #35 of the New Orleans Saints defends during an exhibition game at LP Field on September 2, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 27-24. (Photo by

The New Orleans Saints may have been ousted early in the playoffs last season, but they're still one of the best teams the NFC has to offer.

They'll make a trip to LP Field on Dec. 11, and by this time we'll have a good idea whether or not the Titans have a realistic shot at the playoffs.

Unlike the Jacksonville game, the Titans will have hopefully worked out most of the growing pains by this time.

The biggest challenge the Saints will pose is obviously their potent passing attack, so Cortland Finnegan and Alterraun Verner will have to be on top of their game for this one.

The offense will also have to supply a fair amount of points to have a chance.

5. Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, Week 15

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Jacob Lacey #27 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. the Colts won 23-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Now we're getting to the part of the list where the Titans will be drastic underdogs and will have to play near-perfect games to pull off the win. But hey, anything is possible.

This will be the second time the Titans will have seen the Colts on the season, so some of the new guys will have somewhat of a feel for how to play Peyton Manning and the fast-paced offense.

However, getting a win at Lucas Oil Stadium isn't easy for any team. If the Titans are running with Jake Locker by this point, which is a high possibility, then the task will be that much more daunting.

4. Texans at Reliant Stadium, Week 17

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Dorin Dickerson #19 of the Houston Texans can't make the touchdown catch as Jason McCourty #30 of the Tennessee Titans defends at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17.

The season finale will be against the team I believe is the favorite to win the AFC South in 2011.

Although it's likely that the Titans could be out of the playoff picture by this time, it's also likely that the Texans will be playing for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

If that ends up being the case, then they'll bring it all to try to bring home-field advantage to their great fans in the Lone Star State.

Also, if the Titans are out of it, then it's pretty much a lock that Jake Locker will be the starter in this game.

Even if the Titans are shocking the masses and fighting for a division title with the Texans, then this game will be a major challenge.

3. Ravens at LP Field, Week 2

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NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10: Tight end Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans looks to avoid a tackle by linebacker Bart Scott #57 of the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Pho

An old rivalry will be renewed once again in Week 2 of the regular season at LP Field, but this time the Titans will be major underdogs to a trendy pick to win the Super Bowl.

Unlike times in the past when these two teams have met, the Ravens now have a respectable offense to go along with a solid defense. Not many teams are as balanced as the Ravens are.

If Kerry Collins ends up being the starter, then the chance of the Titans pulling off the upset is a tad bit higher then if Jake Locker starts.

That's only due to the simple fact that Collins has experience against playing against this Ravens defense.

The Titans will have the LP Field crowd behind them and that will help them feed off the emotion of the home opener. They'll need more than adrenaline to give the Titans fans a win against the hated rivals.

2. Falcons at Georgia Dome, Week 11

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) poses for a photo with Julio Jones, #6 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Ph

The Titans have always had a history of struggling against superstar wide receivers like the Falcons' Roddy White, but they'll have to worry about newly drafted Julio Jones as well.

They'll also have to win in a place where the Falcons have went 20-3 over the last three regular seasons.

Playing without the likes of outdoor elements usually benefits powerful offenses like the Falcons, and hurts scrappy defenses like the Titans.

The Falcons defense is nothing to take lightly, either.

The silver lining here is that this isn't an AFC opponent, which means the effects of a loss aren't as costly as a loss to a team in your division or conference.

If the Titans get off to a sluggish start, then its likely Jake Locker will be named the starter by this time, if he isn't already named the starter in Week 1.

1. Steelers at Heinz Field, Week 5

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NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19: Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers won 19-11. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The 2011 meeting between the Titans and the Steelers will mark the fourth straight season these two teams will do battle, and the Steelers have won the last two.

Even though some of the cast of characters have changed since last season, don't expect the intensity to change.

The Titans actually have a realistic chance of having a .500 record or better coming into this game. An upset could put them in a great spot heading into the bye week.

As great as that sounds, you have to realize that the Steelers are the class of the AFC. They do everything well and always capitalize on opponents' mistakes.

For the Titans to win at Heinz Field, at least two things will have to happen.

First of all, Chris Johnson will have to remind everyone why rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2009 was no fluke.

Secondly, the Titans will have to play nearly mistake-free. That's asking a lot considering we don't even know who the quarterback will be, and probably won't know until a few days before the season starts.