Titans 2009 Predictions

The NFL 2009 schedule was released on Tuesday. While the draft hasn't taken place yet and a lot of free agents have yet to find homes, it's always fun to predict your favorite team's record. So without further waiting, this is the much too early prediction on the Tennessee Titans' upcoming season.

Thursday, September 10:

Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The first game of the NFL season will surely be one of the season's most physical. After the Titans beat Pittsburgh last year, 31-14, to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and subsequently stomped on the "Terrible Towel," there will be plenty of lead up to this one. Look for a low-scoring affair with the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers coming out on top in a close ballgame

Prediction: Steelers 21, Titans 17

Sunday, September 20:

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

After losing a tough one against the Steelers, Tennessee opens its home season at L.P. Field against an opponent it usually handles. Considering the Titans are 6-1 at home with an average win of nearly 11 points against Houston, there's no reason to believe Tennessee doesn't get its initial win.
Prediction: Titans 31, Texans 14

Sunday, September 27:

Tennessee Titans @ N.Y. Jets

Last season, New York ruined the Titans bid for a perfect season, winning easily, 34-13, at L.P. Field. Tennessee should have revenge on the mind this go around, and the Jets have yet to find an NFL-caliber quarterback. Tennessee wins its first road game of the season.

Prediction: Titans 21, Jets 10

Sunday, October 4:

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Tennessee has won four of its last five against this AFC South Rival, including two victories in 2008. It's hard to see that streak continuing on the road. Jacksonville wins this one in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Jaguars 17, Titans 14

Sunday, October 11:

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

This is the middle game in what is easily the toughest three-game stretch of the season for Tennessee. With the Patriots looming next week, this one becomes even more important. The Titans play like it in front of a national-television audience and continue their recent success against Indy at home. Tennessee controls the game on the ground to make it 3 of 4 against the Colts at L.P. Field.
Prediction: Titans 24, Colts, 20

Sunday, October 18:

Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots

New England will have a healthy Tom Brady to team with Randy Moss. That equals trouble for most teams, and the Titans are no exception. In a rare contest that Tennessee can't keep close, the Patriots roll.

Prediction: Patriots 28, Titans 17

Sunday, November 1:

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

The Titans' bye week comes at a good time and Jacksonville pays the price of what will be the start of a second-half surge toward the playoffs for Tennessee. L.P. Field should be rocking, too, considering the importance of this one.

Prediction: Titans 28, Jaguars 17

Sunday, November 8:

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco doesn't have a signal caller and has just an average defense. Tennessee usually feasts on teams with that combination (look at Kansas City last year), and this west-coast game is no exception.
Prediction: Titans 31, 49ers 10

Sunday, November 15:

Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans

Buffalo started off strong last year but faded down the stretch. With Terrell Owens in the mix, the Bills will be better but not good enough to beat the Titans on the road.
Prediction: Titans 21, Bills 14

Monday, November 23:

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

The Texans will have the extra energy of a Monday Night Football crowd. But after the Titans laid a 13-12 dud at Houston last year, they exact a little measure of revenge and take another step toward the playoffs.
Prediction: Titans 27-Texans 21

Sunday, November 29:

Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans

Arizona caught fire at the end of last year and made the Super Bowl. Here's to guessing the run was closer to the fluke side than being the real thing. In a high-scoring affair, Tennessee stays perfect at home.
Prediction: Titans 34, Cardinals 28

Sunday, December 6:

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Tennessee simply doesn't win at Indianapolis. The Titans are just 1-5 in their last six trips to Peyton Manning and Co. Moreover, the lone win was only by six points in 2007 when most of Indy's starters didn't play in order to rest for the playoffs. The trend continues.
Prediction: Colts 21, Titans 17

Sunday, December 13:

St. Louis Rams @ Tennessee Titans

The Rams run defense is one of the worst in the NFL. The Titans run offense is one of the best in the NFL. This equals a blowout win for Tennessee to get back on track.
Prediction: Titans 38, Rams 14

Sunday, December 20:

Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans

Miami took the AFC East a year ago and should be strong yet again. This one could go either way, considering both teams like to run the football. In the end, the Titans are just too strong at home.
Prediction: Titans 17, Dolphins 14

Friday, December 25:

San Diego Chargers @ Tennessee Titans

Both teams will have all of five days to prepare for this Christmas contest, which talent-wise should be evenly matched. The difference will be the Chargers have to travel across the county while dealing with short rest. Tennessee gives its fans the ultimate Christmas present, an undefeated season at home.
Prediction: Titans 24, Chargers 14

Sunday, January 3:

Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks

Seattle only won four games a year ago. This year it should be a little better with a high draft pick. But in the last regular-season game of the year, there's just too many question marks regarding Matt Hasselbeck's health. With him, the Seahawks keep it close. Without him, Tennessee wins relatively easy. Bad weather could also play a role.
Prediction: Titans 21 , Seahawks 10

So based on these predictions, the Titans will be 12-4, including a perfect 8-0 at home. If that were to happen, the playoffs would be a definite and back-to-back AFC crowns wouldn't be out of the question either.
Let me know what you think!