Tennessee Titans 2022 schedule: Opposing QBs will be big test for secondary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans' 2022 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate Thursday.

The season will kick off Thursday, Sept. 8, with the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. ESPN opens its schedule with Monday Night Football on Sept. 12 featuring the Denver Broncos at the Seattle Seahawks.

The NFL expanded to 17 regular-season games last season, and the final regular-season games will be played Jan. 8, 2023. The playoffs begin Jan. 14 and continue through Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

Here's what is in store for the Titans:

Schedule

Sept. 12: vs. Giants

Sept. 19: at Buffalo (MNF)

Sept. 25: vs. Raiders

Oct. 2: at Colts

Oct. 9: at Washington

Oct. 16: Bye

Oct. 23: vs. Colts

Oct. 30: at Houston

Nov. 6: at Chiefs (SNF)

Nov. 13: vs. Broncos

Nov. 17: at Packers (TNF)

Nov. 27: vs. Bengals

Dec. 4: at Philadelphia

Dec. 11: vs. Jaguars

Dec. 18: at Chargers

Dec. 24: vs. Texans

Dec. 29: vs. Cowboys (TNF)

Jan. 8: at Jaguars

Strength of schedule: 24th, .471

Biggest takeaway

The secondary better be ready for a series of challenges against top-rated quarterbacks this season. The list includes Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. Two games against up-and-coming quarterback Trevor Lawrence adds to the challenge as well. Tennessee’s secondary ranked eighth in passing yards allowed (4,169) last season. Losing veteran cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins puts plenty of pressure on second-year corner Caleb Farley to step in opposite Kristian Fulton. Rookie corner Roger McCreary figures to carve out a role, as well, along with Elijah Molden returning as the nickel corner. Having veterans Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker at safety will help the Titans be ready for the test.

Revenge game

The Titans face their former No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. Contract issues caused Tennessee to reluctantly send Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for a first and third-round pick. The Eagles swooped in and agreed to a four-year, $100-million deal with Brown to complete the trade on draft day. Brown says there is “no bad blood with the Titans.” But he’ll definitely be looking to show Tennessee what they’re missing. The Titans immediately selected Treylon Burks with the first-round pick (No. 18 overall) to help fill the void that was created by trading Brown. Burks said he’s patterned parts of his game after Brown. This game will be an opportunity for Burks to showcase how much he’s learned.

What Vegas thinks

The oddsmakers have the Titans' win total at 9.5. Tennessee has won nine or more games in each of their three seasons with Mike Vrabel as its coach. This year's schedule features clashes with the AFC West and a visit to Buffalo to face the Bills. Although it's no simple walk in the park, the Titans should be able to salvage 10 wins this season.

Bold prediction

Tough matchups with the Eagles on the road and at Nissan Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys could hurt their chances. But the Titans will sweep the NFC East, even though the Washington Commanders and New York Giants have made slight improvements from last season.