Rams at Titans
Adelphia Coliseum, Nashville, Tenn.,
Sunday, Oct. 31

AT A GLANCE: Both teams enter the game riding high atop their divisions but are still looking for national respect because of their relatively weak schedules. QB Steve McNair could make his return for Tennessee.

The Titans have played well and are exceeding expectations with a 5-1 record. However, they haven’t exactly beaten the best of what pro football has to offer either. Tennessee’s opponents are just 12-27 thus far, with the Jaguars providing five of those victories.

If all goes well in practice this week, the Titans should get QB Steve McNair back in the starting lineup after he spent the previous five weeks recovering from back surgery. His return would change the plan of attack for both teams. While Neil O’Donnell has done a nice job filling in, McNair is more athletic and mobile, and the Titans’ offense will tend to take more chances with him directing the show.

WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL:

The Rams have shown very few weaknesses this year but have made a habit of exploiting plenty of their opposition's weaknesses. A lot of different players can score from a lot of different areas of the field.

Media members would be hard-pressed not to vote for QB Kurt Warner as league MVP if the season were to end today. His patience, poise and deft touch have been remarkable, not to mention his 18 TD passes and astronomical passer rating.

Warner’s favorite target is WR Isaac Bruce, who is healthy again and is as dangerous as any pass catcher in the NFL. But perhaps what makes the Rams so difficult to stop is the way Warner spreads the ball around to so many different receivers who can turn a small gain into something big.

The Titans will need to continue their strong pass rush if they want to slow down St. Louis. Tennessee frequently operates a basic "46" defense, and the Titans’ blitzing will often leave young CBs Samari Rolle and Denard Walker on an island in man coverage.