Titans Schedule Wishlist: Games for Early and Late Season

The Tennessee Titans' 2023 regular season schedule will be released today and there are some opponents the Titans should hope to see either early in the year or later in the year.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will know their full schedule later today and while the opponents are already known, when the games are played and in what order is still to be announced. Looking at the Titans opponents in 2023, there are some teams that the Titans would prefer to see early or late in the season for competitive reasons.

Early Season - Panthers, Falcons, Browns

All three of these teams make sense because the Titans should want to see these teams before they catch a rhythm. All three have different circumstances, but one similarity, a lack of cohesion. 

The Panthers are an obvious one. They just selected a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young. While Young could turn out to be a good player and worth the selection, odds are there will be an adjustment period for the rookie signal caller. A lot of the top offensive options for the Panthers are new to the team as well. Playing them early in the year before they hit their groove could be advantageous to the Titans.

The Falcons are similar in the sense they have a young quarterback, but this time it is second-year player Desmond Ridder. Ridder didn't win the starting role until late in the 2022 season and while that gives him a bit of a head start, he still has yet to start an opening day matchup. The lack of familiarity with the situation and Ridder still being a young player could make it an easier game early rather than late for the Titans.

Finally, the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have Deshaun Watson at quarterback and yes, he did play the last handful of games down the stretch last year, but it still may take some time for the Browns to really gel on offense. The mid-season version of the Browns will likely be better than the team that starts in September. The Titans should prefer to see them early on for that reason.

Late Season - Dolphins, Buccaneers 

It gets hot in Florida. For the Titans' sake, they have to hope these games come later in the season. Both will be road games and it would be easier to play in cooler temperatures. It's just as simple as that.

There is a second layer with Tampa Bay though. The Bucs have a better chance at the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft than they do a Super Bowl appearance now that Tom Brady is gone. We are already hearing about potential historic tanking this season with prospects like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye set to come into the NFL. The Bucs could be squarely in tank mode if you play them late enough, making for an easier game to win.

Titans Related Stories

• TANNEHILL "Week 1 Starter": The Tennessee Titans may have draft a quarterback in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft in Will Levis, but according to a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini, Ryan Tannehill "is the starter Week 1" for the upcoming season. CLICK HERE

• TITANS DRAFT GRADES: The Tennessee Titans went home happy about their report card after receiving high grades across the board from draft analysts for their picks in the 2023 NFL draft. CLICK HERE

• FREE AGENT RECEIVERS: The Tennessee Titans finally drafted a wide receiver in the last round of the 2023 NFL draft, but the issue at the position hardly seems resolved. Here are some free agent options the Titans have that could add some value. CLICK HERE