Game Prediction: TEN 24, NE 13

Update: Kevin Faulk is still questionable to play with a left leg injury and did not practice earlier this week so I am expecting that he can play but will be limited. I am also removing David Patten from the projections since he is questionable still with his knee sprain and have lowered the passing numbers for NE since that leaves the best receiver - Troy Brown - pitted against CB Andre Dyson. In light of the defensive injuries to the Patriots - LB Ted Johnson, NT Ted Washington, LB Mike Vrabel, LB Willie McGinnest, et al; I am adjusting the score higher for Tennessee.

Unlike last season, the Titans stumbled in week two and took no time to return to prominence. Since they fell to the division leading Colts, the quick recovery has allowed them to remain very much in the running for the title.

Steve McNair was, as usual, banged up last week which only meant that he went to Pittsburgh and calmly completed 15 of 16 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. The amazing fact, or depressing for some, was that he did that without using Derrick Mason (1-4). Meanwhile, Justin McCareins (5-81), Erron Kinney (4-19) and Drew Bennett (2-52) all caught touchdowns.

Eddie George only rushed for 21 yards on 11 carries and though Chris Brown made a showing, his six carries for three yards was hardly enough to make anyone race to the fantasy waiver wire.

The Titan defense turned in a big game as the visitor, intercepting Tommy Maddox twice including a backbreaking 60 yard return for a fourth quarter score. Maddox was sacked three times and battered about by the same team that knocked him out for three games last season.

The Titans lost LB Peter Sirmon for a few weeks after he fractured his transverse process bones in his lower back last Sunday. Steve McNair will likely be listed as critically ill and yet still play well.

The Titans continue to be the most successful team that defenses cannot really prepare to meet. It could be McNair, any one of several receivers or even George that hurts them. It could be special teams or the defense that Tennessee uses to win the game. But in the end, more often than not, they do win the game.

The Patriots return home after falling to the Redskins last week in a game that to a man they feel let slip away from them. Tom Brady threw for 289 yards and two late game touchdowns in their rally but also had three interceptions. The Redskins had no turnovers. There is your difference maker.

Antowain Smith rushed 14 times for 56 yards and Kevin Faulk only managed 12 yards on ten carries before leaving the game with a leg injury after fumbling the ball away in the third quarter. Mike Cloud has been cleared to practice with the Patriots after serving out his four game suspension and with an entirely lackluster rushing game, he may well be added to the roster at the end of the week instead of cut.

In the never ending attempt by New England to make their receivers impossible to forecast, the stars last week were David Givens (4-57, 1 TD) and even TE Daniel Graham is showing up more in the box scores, catching three balls for 54 yards last week after having two receptions the previous week.

The only reason that the Titans would have for losing this game against the injury-plagued Patriots is the fact that they have lost their last three games following a Steeler win. The Patriot defense has done a great job filling in for missing players and held off the vaunted Redskin passing attack last week. The Titans have no impressive rushing game to use outside of just giving the ball continually to Eddie George and hoping that his three yard average spikes up a yard or two per series for a first down.

Look for the difference in the game to be the inability of New England to generate a running game which will force them to rely on passing where the Titans can force more errors. This should be a lower scoring game but could contain a defensive score.