The Tennessee Titans are going to be better, but better than 2-14 isn’t particularly hard and still might not amount to a very impressive record. I’ve never prided myself on predictions covering a team in a league in which unpredictability is the No. 1 ingredient in its popularity.

But the request was for a new version of the game-by-game predictions first made in April (before the draft), so here is my best attempt at a fresh run-through.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Even if the Buccaneers play a great version of Cover 2, Cover 2 is a straightforward defense that doesn’t aim to surprise. That seems like an ideal start for Marcus Mariota. A revamped Titans defense with Dick LeBeau calling the shots gives Jameis Winston a more difficult time. Titans 20, Buccaneers 17. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

The Titans start with two winnable games, but as of now, I think they split the trips. Cleveland found a way to win this one last year and that was in Nashville. Mike Pettine and his defensive coordinator, Jim O’Neil, will make things far more complicated for Mariota. Browns 17, Titans 13. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

The gap between what was the best team in the division and what was the worst team in 2014 remains big. Andrew Luck finds things to exploit, and the Titans can’t run against the Colts the way teams that hang with them do. If cornerback Jason McCourty is still out from preseason groin surgery, T.Y. Hilton could go crazy. Colts 34, Titans 17. Record: 1-2.

Week 4: Bye.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, Buffalo, 1 p.m.

A battle of two questionable offenses tips in favor of the team with a marquee running back and more talent on defense. Rex Ryan has a home in the Nashville area and collects a win not far from it. Bills 16, Titans 9. Record: 1-3.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Miami, 1 p.m.

Tennessee will win at least one of these four during this big homestand. LeBeau and the defense highlight the team’s second win as they did the first, this time providing a rough day for Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins are getting better but they slip. Titans 23, Dolphins 21. Record: 2-3.

Week 7: Sunday Oct. 25, Atlanta, 1 p.m.

The Titans' defense doesn’t sustain the effort from the game before. That’s harder when Matt Ryan is the quarterback and Julio Jones is catching passes. The two shredded the Titans in the preseason opener, not that it meant much. Dan Quinn’s up-and-down first-year defense is the better one on this day. Falcons 27, Titans 19. Record: 2-4.

Week 8: Sunday Nov. 1, at Houston, 1 p.m.

J.J. Watt is going to influence things, of course, and he’s had a lot of big games against the Titans. If this came earlier in the season, with Arian Foster still out, I’d give the Titans this game because they are due and division surprises always pop up. But the running back has likely healed up and if he's running fresher, he could be a big problem. Texans 17, Titans 14. Record: 2-5.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

The Saints should have an offense that isn’t as good as we’re used to and a defense that isn’t as bad. But things balance out well enough that they find points at home even as they give some up. Drew Brees has seen whatever the Titans throw at him. Saints 34, Titans 24. Record: 2-6.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, Carolina, 1 p.m.

The Titans have their biggest pass rush game of the year, partially thanks to Michael Oher on the Panthers' offensive line, and it puts them in a good spot in this one. It's the week the Titans surpass their 2014 win total. Titans 16, Panthers 10. Record: 3-6.

Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 19, at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

In gut-wrenching fashion, the Titans watch Jason Myers hit a long field goal as time expires and the Jaguars maintain their status as the third-best team in the AFC South, at least for now. The Titans thought such things ended with the Josh Scobee trade to Pittsburgh, but his replacement mirrors his act. There will be no winning record for Tennessee. Silver lining: The rematch comes in a hurry. Jaguars 17, Titans 14. Record: 3-7.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Oakland, 1 p.m.

The struggling Raiders come to the Southeast and have a hard time. It’s one of those days when everything goes right for the home team and everything goes wrong for the visitors. Tennessee doubles its previous season’s win total. Titans 33, Raiders 10. Record: 4-7.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Payback in a less compelling game with a better result for the Titans, who split the season series. Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has had some good games. This isn’t one of them. Titans 27, Jaguars 17. Record: 5-7.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.

The Jets are a defensive football team. Have the Titans become one? They make few enough mistakes at MetLife Stadium to get a road win and it’s a high moment for a franchise looking to get on a better track, as it makes a third win in a row and puts .500 in sight. Titans 23, Jets 13. Record 6-7.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at New England, 1 p.m.

And back to earth they crash. December football is a big thing in New England, and this loss could be real ugly. Bill Belichick and his staff will find all the Titans' holes and exploit them, while Tennessee can’t find any ways to go at the defending Super Bowl champs. Patriots 38, Titans 13. Record: 6-8.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, Houston, 1 p.m.

Both teams have gotten better since their first meeting, which is good for the Titans but bad for their chance to pull off a split. Once again, we see star power make the difference, as Watt and a healthy Foster key this one for the Titans, who are left wondering where that good mojo went. Texans 26, Titans 20. Record: 6-9.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

While the Colts’ finale hasn’t always meant a great deal, I’ll deem it necessary here at least for playoff seeding. And while the Titans play well in an attempt to end on a good note, the Colts have more at stake and get what they need. Colts 30, Titans 24. Record: 6-10.