Tennessee Titans Top 3 'Must Win' Games on 2023 Schedule

The Tennessee Titans 2023 regular season schedule has been released and there are a few games on the slate that the Titans must win if they plan to make the playoffs.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will look to be as competitive as possible this year with the goal of returning to the playoffs. If they are to accomplish that goal, there are certain matchups on the schedule that they must win. Here are three "Must Win" games from the Titans' 2023 schedule. Division games are not included as their value as obvious.

Week 8 - Home vs. Atlanta Falcons

The reason this is a "must win" game for the Titans is because it comes at home and it is the first game after their bye week. Also, the Falcons are a beatable team. With Desmond Ridder at quarterback, the Falcons are one of the few teams with a significantly worse quarterback than the Titans have. 

There is also the familiarity factor. Former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is the head coach of the Falcons and former Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees now owns that title in Atlanta. The teams also share similar philosophies. It won't be easy, but the Titans need to find a away to beat the "Red Stallions."

Week 10 - Away at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This game may be on the road and against an NFC opponent, but it comes smack dab in the middle of the Titans' three-game road trip. The first away game is the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, so the Titans will have a mini-bye week with ten days rest before playing the Bucs. 

Not only that, but the Titans should beat Tampa Bay anyways. The Titans are a better team with a better quarterback, as things stand now. There is a decent chance Tampa Bay is the worst team on the Titans' schedule, record-wise, by the end of the season. If the Titans want to make a playoff push, they will need to find a way to put this game in the "W" column.

Week 9/Week 14 - One Primetime Game 

The Titans play the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 and play the Miami Dolphins on the road on Monday Night Football in Week 14. The Titans will likely be fighting with these teams for playoff position at the end of the year if they play their best. That is why the Titans have to win one of these games.

These will be tough games. The Steelers always seem to give the Titans a tough time more often than not. Pittsburgh is an improved team with a quarterback who has had a year in the NFL to improve now as well. The Dolphins have an explosive offense and may have taken a step on defense. The odds the Titans beat both on the road are low, so it is important to get at least one of these.

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