2016 NFL Schedule: Marcus Mariota and Tennessee Titans Face Tall Order

The 2016 NFL Schedule was released earlier this week and Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans could take advantage of scheduling and make a move in the AFC.

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There was hope that former Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota would improve on his Rookie Year last season with the Tennessee Titans. The schedule may not be much in his favor this season. The Titans have one of the toughest schedules in the AFC this season and will face several teams that made the Playoffs last season including New England on the road. Mariota and his team mates will have an opportunity to make a statement with Denver and Green Bay both visiting Nissan Stadium.

October will be a big month and will be telling for Tennessee with three straight home games hosting the Cleveland Browns, inter-conference foe Indianapolis and the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars to close out the month. The end of the season could be a long one. Following a bye in Week 14, Mariota and the Titans will welcome Denver to Tennessee before traveling to Kansas City and Jacksonville before hosting the Houston Texans to close out the year on New Year’s Day. ESPN sees the gauntlet ending with a 6-10 record and they may not be far off.

For the Tennessee Titans to start the season on a good note, a win against Minnesota is crucial. It will also help build early confidence. Mariota should not have a problem with the ‘one game at a time’ attitude that will be needed. He did pretty well with it a Oregon. After the Vikings, a trip to Detroit could see 2-0 with the Lions who will still be looking for consistency after losing Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh in the offseason. The Titans could start 3-0 and have a leg up on the Division after an early season matchup with Houston in Week 3.

Will Marcus Mariota and the Titans Have A Winning Season In 2016?

Of course, having the additional Draft picks this season could help, but likely not right off the bat. In the NFL Draft the team will have to go after quality in the quantity of picks they have available.

Next: Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks Offer First Of 2018

The 2016 NFL Draft is set for April 28th-30th and Tennessee will have 7 of the first 76 picks after trading the number one pick to Los Angeles earlier this week in a move that will be sure to help Quarterback Marcus Mariota in the long run.