If the Titans can make it through the first six games, 2009 could be another successful season

I know I am a little late on this, but the National Football League released its schedule a week or so ago. Here is the schedule for the Tennessee Titans:

Sept. 10 -- at Pittsburgh
Sept. 20 -- vs. Houston
Sept. 27 -- at New York Jets
Oct. 4 -- at Jacksonville
Oct. 11 -- vs. Indianapolis
Oct. 18 -- at New England
Nov. 1 -- vs. Jacksonville
Nov. 8 -- at San Francisco
Nov. 15 -- vs. Buffalo
Nov. 23 -- at Houston
Nov. 29 -- vs. Arizona
Dec. 6 -- at Indianapolis
Dec. 13 -- vs. St. Louis
Dec. 20 -- vs. Miami
Dec. 25 -- vs. San Diego
Jan. 03 -- at Seattle

The first thing a person notices is that the Titans have moved up in the world when it comes to games played in prime time. The Titans visit Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 10 to kickoff the season. Additional prime time games are at home against Indianapolis (Oct. 11), at Houston (Nov. 23), and vs. San Diego (Dec. 25)

The Titans' road schedule is challenging. Four of the first six games are on the road, plus there are two trips to the West Coast. That is a lot of time to spend in an airplane and do not underestimate the impact those long trips have on players.

However, if the Titans can at least break even on the road, the schedule is friendlier down the stretch. Four of their final six games are at home, including three in a row in December. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the schedule is that the Titans do not play any divisional opponents after their twelfth game.

This schedule has 11-5 written all over it. However, that is not necessarily good news. The American Football Conference is packed with good teams. In fact, New England missed the playoffs with an 11-5 record last year.

The Titans have a lot of work to do. The new season will be here before we know it.

Let's hope they are ready.