The two Major League professional franchises in town have had no luck regarding the schedules they have received. The Nashville Predators road-heavy early schedule played a large part in their demise this season. The Tennessee Titans hope to avoid the same fate.

In the 2013 NFL schedule just released, the Titans will open on the road at Pittsburgh and at Houston the first two weeks. Even though four of the next five are at home there are no favors. The Chargers will be the initial home opponents on September 22. Tennessee has not beaten San Diego since the Houston Oilers days. The Jets and Chiefs follow the next two weeks into LP Field. While we cannot know about the Jets, Kansas City figures to be one of the league’s most improved teams with new QB Alex Smith and Coach Andy Reid.

Next up will be arguably the two strongest teams in the NFL entering the season, a trip to Seattle and a home tilt against the exciting Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers on October 20.  Russell Wilson may have had the best season of the three amazing rookie quarterbacks in 2012, and with the acquisition of Percy Harvin from Minnesota, Seattle will be dynamic on offense.  Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, going 7-2 as the starter down the stretch, falling just short in New Orleans. In his first full season as the man under center, Kaepernick figures to flourish in Jim Harbaugh’s offense.

After the Bye in Week Eight comes a trip to see an old friend as the Titans travel to St. Louis to face Jeff Fisher’s squad. The Rams were in contention for a playoff spot far later than anyone expected a year ago, and could be even better in 2013. After a home game with Jacksonville on November 10 comes Tennessee’s only national appearance, on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football against the Colts at LP Field on November 14. The Titans go to Indy two weeks later with a trip to Oakland in between.

Week 14 sees the Titans face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on the road before coming home to play Arizona the following week. Divisional matchups at Jacksonville and vs. Houston close out the 2013 slate for the two-tone blue. The consensus on this schedule is the first half is tougher than the second half meaning this young Tennessee team could fall into a hole they can never get out of. One thing is for sure, Jake Locker better grow up and now.

Tennessee Titans 2013 schedule

Preseason:

A8  7 pm WKRN Washington

A17 6 pm WKRN at Cincinnati

A24 7 pm WKRN Atlanta

A29 7 pm WKRN at Minnesota

Regular season:

S8 noon CBS at Pittsburgh

S15 noon CBS at Houston

S22 noon CBS San Diego

S29 3:05 pm CBS N.Y. Jets

O6 noon CBS Kansas City

O13 3:05 pm CBS at Seattle

O20 3:05 pm FOX San Francisco

N3 noon CBS at St. Louis

N10 noon CBS Jacksonville

N14 7:25 pm NFLN Indianapolis

N24 3:05 pm CBS at Oakland

D1 noon CBS at Indianapolis

D8 3:05 pm CBS at Denver

D15 noon FOX Arizona

D22 Noon CBS at Jacksonville

D29 Noon CBS Houston

***All games are CST and subject to change***