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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —A look at the 2016 regular season opponents for the Tennessee Titans:
Minnesota Vikings
When: September 11
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 11-5.
Last time faced: October 7, 2012 -- Vikings 30, Titans 7.
Of note: The Titans open the season at home for the first time since the 2012 season. The Vikings were the surprise winners in the NFC North last season, and they'll be plenty motivated heading into this season following a heartbreaking playoff loss a year ago. The Vikings added guard Alex Boone (49ers) in free agency, and he should help quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson. The Vikings also signed former Titans safety Michael Griffin, who will return to Nissan Stadium after playing nine seasons in Tennessee.
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At Detroit Lions
When: September 18
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 7-9.
Last time faced: September 23, 2012 – Titans 44, Lions 41 (OT).
Of note: The Lions ended last season with three straight wins, but missed the playoffs. The bad news for the Titans is they have a strong-armed quarterback in Matthew Stafford. The good news is he no longer has receiver Calvin Johnson to throw to – he retired earlier this offseason. The Lions signed former Bengals receiver Marvin Jones, and the team has 10 draft picks, including the 16th overall pick.
Oakland Raiders
When: September 25
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 7-9.
Last time faced: November 29, 2015 – Raiders 24, Titans 21.
Of note: The Titans lost a heartbreaker to the Raiders, and quarterback Derek Carr, at Nissan Stadium in 2015. The Raiders have added linebacker Bruce Irvin (Seahawks), guard Kalechi Osemele (Ravens) and defensive back Sean Smith (Chiefs) this offseason in free agency following a season when they showed improvement. These two teams will also square off in a preseason game in 2016.
At Houston Texans
When: October 2
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 9-7.
Last time faced: December 27, 2015 – Texans 34, Titans 6.
Of note: The Texans have been a real thorn in the side of the Titans in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings. A year ago the Texans swept the series en route to winning the AFC South. The Texans made a bold move by signing former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler in free agency. The Texans also added former Dolphins running back Lamar Miller and former Chiefs guard Jeff Allen. Of course the biggest concern every team faces against the Texans is defensive lineman J.J. Watt. The Texans didn't face Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota last season – he missed both games against Houston with injuries.
At Miami Dolphins
When: October 9.
Time: Noon.
Last year's record: 6-10.
Last time faced: October 18, 2015 – Dolphins 38, Titans 10.
Of note: The Dolphins have a new head coach in Adam Gase, a former offensive coordinator with the Bears and Broncos. But the team lost defensive end Olivier Vernon (Giants) and running back Lamar Miller (Texans) in free agency. The Dolphins have added defensive end Mario Williams, linebacker Kiko Alonzo, cornerback Byron Maxwell and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus this offseason. New Titans receiver Rishard Matthews and cornerback Brice McCain will face their old team in this one. The Titans and Dolphins will square off in the preseason as well.
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Cleveland Browns**
When: October 16
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 3-13.
Last time faced: September 20, 2015 – Browns 28, Titans 14.
Of note: The Titans have some bad memories of the Browns in recent seasons. Cleveland knocked off the Titans in Week 2 a year ago, and the last time they visited Nissan Stadium – in 2014 – they rallied from a 28-3 deficit in a 29-28 win. The Browns signed quarterback Robert Griffin III last month, but there's no guarantee he'll be the starter in 2016. We do know it won't be Johnny Manziel, who was released last month. The Browns hired Ray Horton, formerly defensive coordinator with the Titans, last month, so he'll be making his return to Nashville.
Indianapolis Colts
When: October 23
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 8-8.
Last time faced: January 3, 2015 – Colts 30, Titans 24.
Of note: The Colts have won seven straight in the series, and 12 of the last 13. A year ago, the Colts limped to the end of the season with a number of quarterbacks following an early-season injury to starter Andrew Luck. Luck is healthy now, and the Colts are ready to compete again for the division crown. The Colts haven't been real active in free agency, but they did add cornerback Patrick Robinson last month. Veteran back-up Matt Hasselbeck, a starter with the Titans a few years back, retired this offseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars
When: Thursday, October 27
Time: 7:25 p.m., NFL Network
Last year's record: 5-11.
Last time faced: December 6, 2015 – Titans 42, Jaguars 39.
Of note: These two teams played a pair of memorable games last season. The Titans won a wild one in Nashville, thanks in part to an 87-yard touchdown run by quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Jaguars rallied for a comeback win in a nationally televised game in Jacksonville a few weeks prior. This meeting will be televised again by NFL Network. The Jaguars have made some big steps to get better this offseason, signing defensive lineman Malik Jackson (Denver), left tackle Kelvin Beachum (Steelers), free safety Tashaun Gipson (Browns) and running back Chris Ivory (Jets). Plus, pass rusher Dante Fowler, the team's top draft pick in 2015, should be back after suffering a knee injury prior to last season.
At San Diego Chargers
When: November 6.
Time: 3:25 p.m.
Last year's record: 4-12.
Last time faced: September 22, 2014 – Titans 20, Chargers 17.
Of note: The Titans open the preseason against the Chargers, and they'll see them again in Week 9. Former Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt is now offensive coordinator of the Chargers. San Diego lost popular safety Eric Weddle to the Ravens in free agency. But quarterback Philip Rivers will lead a San Diego team with some new faces. The Chargers have added receiver Travis Benjamin (Browns), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (Seahawks), defensive back Casey Hayward (Packers) and safety Dwight Lowery (Colts) this offseason.
Green Bay Packers
When: November 13
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 10-6.
Last time faced: December 23, 2012 – Packers 55, Titans 7.
Of note: Like usual, the Packers don't invest a lot of money in free agency. But the team did sign former Titans tight end Jared Cook, who played previously with the Rams. The Packers have plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the football, starting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Eddie Lacy and receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. Julius Peppers is a force on the defensive side of the football. It will be Green Bay's first trip to Nashville since the 2008 season.
At Indianapolis Colts
When: November 20.
Time: Noon.
Last year's record: 8-8.
Last time faced: January 3, 2015 – Colts 30, Titans 24.
Of note: The Colts have won seven straight in the series, and 12 of the last 13. A year ago, the Colts limped to the end of the season with a number of quarterbacks following an early-season injury to starter Andrew Luck. Luck is healthy now, and the Colts are ready to compete again for the division crown. The Colts haven't been real active in free agency, adding cornerback Patrick Robinson last month. Veteran back-up Matt Hasselbeck, a starter with the Titans a few years back, retired this offseason.
At Chicago Bears
When: November 27.
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 6-10.
Last time faced: November 4, 2012 – Bears 51, Titans 20.
Of note: The Titans have played at Soldier Field just once since moving to Tennessee, back in 2008. They won that game during a 10-0 start to the season. This year they'll face Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who's playing under the direction of former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, now with the Bears. The Bears signed former Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan this offseason, along with right tackle Bobby Massey. Inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman is also a new addition. Former Titans receiver Marc Mariani signed a one-year deal to remain in Chicago this offseason. The team franchised receiver Alshon Jeffrey at the start of the offseason, but lost running back Matt Forte to the Jets in free agency.
Denver Broncos
When: December 11
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 12-4.
Last time faced: December 8, 2013 – Broncos 51, Titans 28.
Of note: After a bye on December 4, the Titans return to action against the defending Super Bowl champions at Nissan Stadium. Peyton Manning won't be with them, of course. He retired after winning Super Bowl 50. The Broncos have some options at the position, and they'll play out in time. Denver lost defensive lineman Malik Jackson to the Jaguars, but the Broncos added a few nice pieces on the offensive line in tackles Donald Stephenson (Chiefs) and Russell Okung (Seahawks) but traded tackle Ryan Clady to the Jets.
At Kansas City Chiefs
When: December 18
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 11-5.
Last time faced: September 7, 2014 – Titans 26, Chiefs 10.
Of note: The last time the Titans faced the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium, Ken Whisenhunt was celebrating his first win as coach of the Titans. A lot of things have changed since. The Chiefs are coming off a season when they finished 11-5, thanks in large part to a plus-14 turnover ratio and a solid defense. The Chiefs held onto safety Eric Berry with the franchise tag, and they landed a prize in free agency in tackle Mitchell Schwartz. They'll be a tough foe in December, at a place where the Titans played on a frozen field in 2010.
At Jacksonville Jaguars
When: December 24
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 5-11.
Last time faced: December 6, 2015 – Titans 42, Jaguars 39.
Of note: These two teams played a pair of memorable games last season. The Titans won a wild one in Nashville, thanks in part to an 87-yard touchdown run by quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Jaguars rallied for a comeback win in a nationally televised game in Jacksonville a few weeks prior. The Jaguars have made some big steps to get better this offseason, signing defensive lineman Malik Jackson (Denver), left tackle Kelvin Beachum (Steelers), free safety Tashaun Gipson (Browns) and running back Chris Ivory (Jets). Plus, pass rusher Dante Fowler, the team's top draft pick in 2015, should be back after suffering a knee injury prior to last season.
Houston Texans
When: January 1, 2017
Time: Noon
Last year's record: 9-7.
Last time faced: December 27, 2015 – Texans 34, Titans 6.
Of note:The Texans have been a real thorn in the side of the Titans in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings. A year ago the Texans swept the series en route to winning the AFC South. The Texans made a bold move by signing former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler in free agency. The Texans also added former Dolphins running back Lamar Miller and former Chiefs guard Jeff Allen. Of course the biggest concern every team faces against the Texans is defensive lineman J.J. Watt. The Texans didn't face Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota last season – he missed both games against Houston with injuries.
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