Tennessee Titans 2012 schedule front-loaded with tough games

Last week, the National Football League released its 2012 schedule, and here is who the Tennessee Titans will play and when:

Sept. 9 -- vs. New England

Sept. 16 -- at San Diego

Sept. 23 -- vs. Detroit

Sept. 30 -- at Houston

Oct. 7 -- at Minnesota

Oct. 11 -- vs. Pittsburgh

Oct. 21 -- at Buffalo

Oct. 28 -- vs. Indianapolis

Nov. 4 -- vs. Chicago

Nov. 11 -- at Miami

Nov. 18 -- BYE

Nov. 25 -- at Jacksonville

Dec. 2 -- vs. Houston

Dec. 9 -- at Indianapolis

Dec. 17 -- vs. New York Jets

Dec. 23 -- at Green Bay

Dec. 30 -- vs. Jacksonville

September looks to be a challenging month for the Titans. The season opens with a bang against the defending AFC champion Patriots. I wonder if the league office was hedging its bets in case Peyton Manning signed with Tennessee. If he had, this game would have had a lot more flavor. Still, the Titans better be ready to roll on opening day. Next comes a trip to San Diego against the perennially-underachieving Chargers. Even though they never seem to meet expectations, the Chargers have a lot of talent and trips to the West Coast are never easy. After that, Tennessee has games against the Lions and Texans. Detroit made the playoffs last year and Houston will be favored to win the AFC South division. If the Titans finish September 2-2, we can consider it a success.

October’s highlight is a nationally-televised Thursday night game against the Steelers on the NFL Network. It’s a home game, which is an additional benefit. Pittsburgh is always tough, but other games that month against the Vikings, Bills and Colts are much more manageable. If the Titans are serious about making the playoffs, then October may be when they start making their move.

For the first time in years, the Titans bye week comes late in the season (on Nov. 18). The team has another nationally-televised game on Dec. 23 against the Jets on Monday Night Football. Will Tim Tebow be the starter for the Jets by then? If he is, ESPN may not mention the Titans all game.

If the Titans are successful in September, the schedule is built for success. More analysis will be posted in the coming months, but it is tough not to feel excited at this point.