Breakdown: Remember a year ago, when the consensus was the Tennessee Titans had a brutal start and would probably do well to go 1-3? Well, they went 3-1. That should console Tennessee fans as they look at this first month -- at Kansas City, Dallas, at Cincinnati and at Indianapolis. Tennessee will have some element of surprise early as not much will be known about how Ken Whisenhunt and his staff will deploy their people. But that's three 2013 playoff teams on the road right at the start. We'll quickly get a measure of how the Titans stand against teams that were good. Three out of four in the stretch after that could offer some relief, as they feature opponents with major quarterback questions.

Complaint department: That start is the biggest story -- and the biggest thing to complain about -- on initial observation. Whisenhunt immediately looked for a silver lining. "The good thing is maybe it will create a sense of urgency with our team in the offseason workouts and training camp," he said in the team's schedule release. "We know what faces us and we must come together and create those bonds." Having two stretches with three of four on the road seems difficult. The second trips feature Baltimore, Philadelphia (on a short week) and Houston. But the road trips also mean there will be stretches of three out of four games at home.

Big finish: The Titans hosted the defending AFC champion Texans at home in the final week last year and they host the defending AFC champion Colts at home in the final week this year. I like it. I don't expect the Colts to tumble the way the Texans did and if the Titans are any sort of challenger for the division, they'll finish with an important game. If the Colts run away with it and the Titans are contending for a Wild Card berth, they could get a team more concerned with resting than with winning. The Titans should be rested for that finale, as they play Thursday in Jacksonville in Week 16.

Strength of schedule: 31st, .438 | Vegas over/under: 6.5

Titans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, Dallas, 1 p.m.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, at Washington, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, Houston, 1 p.m.

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Week 11: Monday, Nov. 17, Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, at Houston, 1 p.m.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, NY Jets, 4:05 p.m.

Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 18, at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.