By Mark Curnutte
Cincinnati Enquirer

After starting 1-4, Tennessee has picked itself up to win four straight and move into a share of first place in the AFC South.

Since the start of the 1999 season, only the St. Louis Rams (41-16) have a better record than the Titans' 38-19.

Defense has keyed the turnaround, even though the Bengals scored 24 points against the Titans.

Tennessee is ranked 11th in the league against the run and has finished in the top 10 against the run in each of the past seven years.

Quarterback Steve McNair has played a major part in Tennessee's success, and his 53-35 record is the best of any AFC quarterback with a minimum of 45 games.

STEELERS (5-3-1) at TITANS (5-4): Pittsburgh has used 12 trick plays in its past two games and will use more today to slow an aggressive Titans pass rush. Tennessee's revitalized running game will face a stiff test in the Pittsburgh rush defense. STEELERS 20-17.

SAINTS (7-2) at FALCONS (5-3-1): Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick has taped a phone message asking Falcons season-ticket holders to come out and make noise for the game. Deuce McAllister, who had just 17 carries in the first game, an Atlanta victory, will get enough attempts to get the 93 yards he needs for 1,000. SAINTS 28-26.

JAGUARS (4-5) at TEXANS (2-7): Inconsistent Jacksonville won't lose twice in one season to expansion Houston, thanks in part to the Texans' poor rush defense. JAGUARS 24-13.

COWBOYS (3-5) at COLTS (5-4): Dallas will lean on running backs Emmitt Smith and Troy Hambrick against the 31st-rated defense, but Peyton Manning has thrown for 300 yards in three of the past four games. COLTS 24-17.

BILLS (5-4) at CHIEFS (4-5): Look for Kansas City to throw several screen passes to Priest Holmes. Buffalo had problems with screens last week against New England. This could end up being one of the season's highest-scoring games. CHIEF 42-38.

PACKERS (8-1) at VIKINGS (2-7): The turnover differential in this game is 31. Green Bay is plus-15, Minnesota minus-16. The Packers could become the earliest to clinch a division title since the 16-game schedule began in 1978. GB is NFC North champion if it wins and Detroit loses. The Packers would have their first eight-game win streak since 1963, but they are 2-8 in their last 10 at the Metrodome. PACKERS 27-18.

REDSKINS (4-5) at GIANTS (5-4): New York shouldn't have much trouble moving the ball through the air or on the ground. GIANTS 24-16.

CARDINALS (4-5) at EAGLES (6-3): After getting buried last week by the Colts, Philadelphia should come out smoking this week. Donovan McNabb and RB Duce Staley should have big games. EAGLES 28-15.

49ERS (7-2) at CHARGERS (6-3): LaDainian Tomlinson, the league's top rusher with 965 yards, should easily pass 1,000 against San Francisco's defense, but the 49ers' balanced attack should be able to keep the ball away from the Chargers much of the day. 49ERS 27-20.

PANTHERS (3-6) at BUCCANEERS (7-2): Carolina gave Tampa Bay all it could handle three weeks ago before falling by 3. This one looks to be a similar type of game, with Tampa Bay benefiting from home field. Tampa Bay has the top-rated defense, Panthers third. BUCCANEERS 15-9.

JETS (4-5) at LIONS (3-6): NY's much-improved defense will look to shut down Detroit's run game and pressure struggling rookie QB Joey Harrington, who hasn't completed 50 percent of his passes in the past three games. JETS 23-16.

RAVENS (4-5) at DOLPHINS (5-4): Miami's defense should be good enough to slow down Jamal Lewis and keep Jeff Blake in check. Miami quarterback Ray Lucas has to avoid interceptions against a Baltimore defense that has 16 in the past seven games. DOLPHINS 19-16.

BRONCOS (6-3) at SEAHAWKS (3-6): Denver running back Clinton Portis should be able to add to his rookie-leading 612 rushing yards against a bad Seattle run defense. BRONCOS 24-12.

PATRIOTS (5-4) at RAIDERS (5-4): Weather conditions will be different than the last time these teams met in snow in the "Tuck Rule" game. New England won the playoff game 16-13 and is coming off an improbable victory against the Bears. Oakland should be able to get its running game moving against the league's 27th-ranked rush defense. The home field is a big edge. RAIDERS 25-23.

BEARS (2-7) at RAMS (4-5): St.Louis shouldn't even need Marshall Faulk to move the ball against Chicago. Just ask New England's Tom Brady. RAMS 30-17.

LAST WEEK: 8-5-1. SEASON: 89-54-1.

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