Titans schedule features tough September

• Three of the first four games are on the road.
• The Steelers visit LP Field on Nov. 17 for a Monday Night Football meeting.
• Chris Johnson returns to LP Field on Dec. 14 with the Jets.

Ken Whisenhunt faces a tough test in his first month as coach of the Titans, who play three of their first four games on the road against 2013 playoff teams.

The home opener is Week 2, Sept. 14 against Dallas.

But the first three road games are Sept. 7 at Kansas City, Sept. 21 at Cincinnati and Sept. 28 at Indianapolis – all AFC playoff participants last season.

It's a formidable challenge for a franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs since the 2008 season and hasn't won a playoff game since the 2003 season.

"It will give us a chance to find out a lot about our football team," Whisenhunt said. "The good thing is that maybe it will create a sense of urgency with our team in the offseason workouts and training camp. We know what faces us and we must come together as a team and create those bonds."

The Titans have two prime-time games – a Monday night at home against Pittsburgh, and a Thursday night at Jacksonville. The former will feature the return of former Titans coach Mike Munchak, who is now Steelers offensive line coach.

"I am excited for our fans to get a Monday Night game," said Whisenhunt, a former Steelers assistant. "Those games create a great deal of energy and excitement in a town and I am looking forward to seeing the atmosphere for that game."

Another noteworthy date: Dec. 14, when running back Chris Johnson returns to LP Field with the New York Jets. He rushed for almost 8,000 yards in six seasons with the Titans, who cut him on April 4.

Here's the full schedule (all times Central):

Sept. 7 at Kansas City, noon, CBS

Sept. 14 Dallas, noon, FOX

Sept. 21 at Cincinnati, noon, CBS

Sept. 28 at Indianapolis, noon, CBS

Oct. 5 Cleveland, noon*, CBS

Oct. 12 Jacksonville, noon*, CBS

Oct. 19 at Washington, noon*, CBS

Oct. 26 Houston, noon*, CBS

Nov. 2 Bye

Nov. 9 at Baltimore, noon*, CBS

Nov. 17 Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Nov. 23 at Philadelphia, noon*, CBS

Nov. 30 at Houston, noon*, CBS

Dec. 7 New York Giants, noon*, FOX

Dec. 14 New York Jets, 3:05 p.m.*, CBS

Dec. 18 at Jacksonville, 7:25 p.m., NFLN

Dec. 28 Indianapolis, noon*, CBS

*Kickoff time subject to change under NFL flex scheduling

The preseason schedule:

Aug. 9 Green Bay, 7 p.m., WKRN-2

Aug. 15 at New Orleans, 7 p.m., WKRN-2

Aug. 23 at Atlanta, 6 p.m., WKRN-2

Aug. 28 Minnesota, 7 p.m., WKRN-2