There’s no question that the Tennessee Titans have some games that will be more difficult than others in 2021, but as we’ve stated time and time again, the entirety of Tennessee’s schedule will be extremely difficult.

There aren’t many easy outs for head coach Mike Vrabel and Co., as the Titans will meet eight teams who made the playoffs in 2020, along with another five squads who figure to at least be somewhat improved.

The Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers all played into January last season and are all among Tennessee’s 2021 opponents.

As far as squads on the Titans’ schedule who stand to at least improve somewhat in 2021, the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers all check that box.

After recently pointing out which games on the Titans’ schedule are the most winnable, we’re now going to take a look at the most difficult games on Tennessee’s 2021 slate.

Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals

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There’s no question this is a winnable game for Tennessee, but this matchup will be a bit more difficult to navigate than it would have been later in the season.

Not only does Arizona figure to be improved or at least as competitive as it was last season, but the Titans will be looking to start the season with a win while having to integrate several new pieces together, especially on defense.

There’s simply no telling how that will go in Week 1.

Week 2 at Seattle Seahawks

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One of the two games the Titans will have to travel to the west coast for, Tennessee will hit the road to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.

As if the travel doesn’t make things difficult enough, CenturyLink Field is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. The Titans won’t just be battling a good team in the Seahawks, they’ll also have to fight crowd noise.

There are some who are down on the Seahawks for 2021, but any team with Russell Wilson under center, and with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at receiver will be a tough out, no matter the venue.

Week 3 and 8 vs. Indianapolis Colts

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No divisional game is ever easy it seems, but these two contests will be particularly difficult, as the Colts figure to have a good team that gives Tennessee a run for its money and AFC South crown.

A lot of the Colts’ success will depend upon Carson Wentz righting the ship, but after his past success under current Indy head coach, Frank Reich, Wentz has a real opportunity to get his career back on track and be the MVP-caliber quarterback we saw only a few seasons ago.

That would be bad news for the Titans, as the Colts are their biggest competition by a mile in the AFC South. However, there is absolutely no guarantee Wentz will be able to do that.

Week 6 vs. Buffalo Bills

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The Bills are listed as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2021, which is understandable given they are returning much of the same team that made it to the AFC Championship Game last season.

Not only are the Bills one of the best teams in the league, they will also have extra motivation after the Titans handed them a beatdown last season in a game that was re-scheduled due to Tennessee’s COVID-19 outbreak.

Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs should give Tennessee’s new-look defense fits, but the Titans should at least have the offense to match whatever Buffalo’s stars produce.

Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and the reigning conference champions (and their fans) will invade Nissan Stadium in Week 7 in what we consider to be Tennessee’s toughest game of the entire slate.

The reasons are obvious: the Chiefs have the best quarterback in the NFL, several impressive weapons for him to throw to, and a good enough defense to complement them. As a result, Kansas City should be considered the favorites to come out of the conference once again.

Adding to all that, the Titans will be on a bit of a short week, as the contest before this one comes on a Monday night against the Bills.

The Titans had success against KC during the 2019 regular season, but were unable to keep up with the Chiefs in the playoffs later that season. Don’t think the Titans have forgotten about that.

Week 9 at Los Angeles Rams

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The Titans’ second and final west coast trip comes in Week 9 against the Rams, who will be sporting an upgrade at quarterback in Matthew Stafford.

Head coach Sean McVay is an offensive wizard, and Stafford will only make him better. The Rams also have plenty of weapons for Stafford, and their defense figures to be among the best in the NFL this coming season.

The Rams will challenge the Titans on both sides of the ball in this one. Keeping Ryan Tannehill upright with superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald rushing him will be among Tennessee’s top priorities.

Week 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers

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There are some who believe the Steelers will take a step back in 2021, and while that might be true, this team simply has too much talent on both sides of the ball to fall that far.

Not only will Pittsburgh sport a dangerous offense that has added a stud rookie running back in Najee Harris, but its defense should be elite once again even after the departure of Bud Dupree to Nashville..

To make matters worse for Tennessee, this game will be on the road and in front of a Steelers fan base that wasn’t too thrilled about the Titans’ COVID-19 outbreak pushing their team’s bye week up in 2020. The players weren’t too thrilled about that fact, either.