Titans to open, close 2006 season at home
The NFL gave Tennessee the chance to open a season at home for the first time since 2003. Then the Titans must become road warriors under the schedule released Thursday.
The Titans open at home on Sept. 10 against the New York Jets, who will be making their first trip to The Coliseum. Then they hit the road for four of the next six games with back-to-back trips to San Diego, then Miami for a third straight year.
After a home game against Dallas on Oct. 1, the Titans visit Indianapolis on Oct. 8. The Titans travel to Washington on Oct. 15 before they finally get a break with their bye on Oct. 22 followed by a home game against Houston on Oct. 29.
?Obviously we will be challenged in the first six weeks with four of the six on the road,? coach Jeff Fisher said.
Fisher noted seven games are against playoff teams from last season with three opponents featuring brand-new staffs in the Jets, Houston and Buffalo. He also likes how the AFC South games are split up with three in each half of the season, including three straight in the final five games.
The schedule includes no prime-time games for a team that went 4-12 last season, a combined 9-23 over the past two seasons. But the NFL has instituted flex scheduling for Weeks 10-15 and Week 17 where games can be moved into NBC?s Sunday night slot with 12 days? notice.
That allows the Titans at least the hope of playing their way into a prime-time kickoff.
?Lastly, the holiday season is a season for family, so I guess it makes sense that we will kickoff the holidays with the Manning family visiting Nashville in consecutive weeks,? Fisher said.
The schedule also allows the Titans to play at home in four of their final six games starting with visits from the Manning brothers. Eli Manning and the New York Giants play at The Coliseum on Nov. 26 with Peyton Manning and the Colts coming in Dec. 3.
A home game against Jacksonville on Dec. 17 is sandwiched between trips to Houston on Dec. 10 and Buffalo on Dec. 24. The Titans will conclude the regular season on New Year?s Eve against the New England Patriots.
The Titans also play at AFC South rival Jacksonville on Nov. 5 and make their first trip to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Nov. 19. At least a pair of ex-Titans will visit with the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 12 with cornerback Samari Rolle and receiver Derrick Mason.
Dates for three of the Titans? four exhibitions also were set with New Orleans visiting on Aug. 12 to open the preseason. Tennessee will play at Denver on Aug. 19 and host Atlanta and Michael Vick on Aug. 26. The date and time for their final exhibition at Green Bay remains undetermined.
2006 Titans Schedule
The Tennessee Titans’ 2006 schedule as released Thursday by the NFL. All times Central:
Preseason
Aug. 12. ? New Orleans, 7 p.m.
Aug. 19 ? at Denver, 8 p.m.
Aug. 26 ? Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Date TBA ? at Green Bay
‘
Regular season
Sept. 10 ? N.Y. Jets, noon
Sept. 17 ? at San Diego, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 ? at Miami, noon
Oct. 1 ? Dallas, noon
Oct. 8 ? at Indianapolis, noon
Oct. 15 ? at Washington, noon
Oct. 22 ? bye
Oct. 29 ? Houston, noon
Nov. 5 ? at Jacksonville, noon
Nov. 12 ? Baltimore, noon
Nov. 19 ? at Philadelphia, noon
Nov. 26 ? N.Y. Giants, noon
Dec. 3 ? Indianapolis, noon
Dec. 10 ? at Houston, noon
Dec. 17 ? Jacksonville, noon
Dec. 24 ? at Buffalo, noon
Dec. 31 ? New England, noon