By Barry Wilner
The Associated Press

The New England Patriots' reward for having the NFL's best record might not be much of a prize.

The Patriots, 14-2 this season with a 12-game winning streak, face Tennessee on Saturday night in Foxboro, Mass. While New England will be rested after its bye this weekend, it also will oppose a wild-card team that went 12-4, then beat Baltimore 20-17 on the road Saturday.

Tennessee lost a 38-30 shootout at Gillette Stadium in October, and the Patriots have allowed one meaningless touchdown at home since. The Titans are a bit banged up from their last-minute win, including NFL co-MVP Steve McNair and Eddie George.

But Tennessee's resolution and resilience was on display in that extremely physical game with the Ravens. And coach Jeff Fisher said both McNair and George will practice this week, then play in Foxboro.

"Players are really looking forward to going on," Fisher said. "The NFL in five-six hours has gone from 12 teams to eight. There'll be four left in our conference next week, and it's an exciting time."

The entire season has been exciting for New England, which is riding the hottest streak of its existence. No team is better at forcing errors, especially when opponents are deep in their own territory.

Tennessee had a plus-13 turnover differential during the season, but McNair threw three interceptions against Baltimore.

New England has not run the ball well, and the Titans excel at defending on the ground. They held NFL rushing leader Jamal Lewis to 35 yards on 14 carries Saturday.

That could force the Patriots to the air, where they have been outstanding, while the Titans ranks 30th in pass defense. Of course, if the elements come into play - anyone remember the last prime-time playoff game in New England? - the Patriots are comfortable in the snow.

The other matchups next weekend are Indianapolis at Kansas City in the AFC on Sunday, followed by Green Bay at Philadelphia in the NFC, and Saturday's NFC game featuring Carolina at St. Louis.

Colts (13-4) at Chiefs (13-3)

The way Indianapolis manhandled Denver on Sunday bodes well for the supremely confident Colts. Kansas City's defense has struggled in the second half of the season, and matching up with co-MVP Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James and the rest of Indy's prolific offense is a hefty chore for the Chiefs.

But it works the other way, too. Kansas City has just as many weapons - Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, Trent Green, a superb line - and will be fresher and at home, where it was 8-0 in 2003.

This game could come down to which defense can assert itself at least part of the time. The last six weeks would indicate the Colts have a better chance of doing so.

The last time Colts coach Tony Dungy and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil met in the playoffs was the 1999 NFC championship game, when Vermeil's Rams edged Dungy's Buccaneers 11-6.

Panthers (12-5) at Rams (12-4)

Carolina's impressive dismantling of Dallas has the Panthers thinking big thoughts. Now comes a much bigger challenge, though, in the mighty (at home) Rams.

St. Louis was 8-0 in its cacophonous dome, and the Rams are itching to get back on the field after their season-ending flop in Detroit cost them the overall NFC home-field advantage. The Rams believe they can move the ball on any visitor, including Carolina's stingy defense sparked by a strong pass rush.

The Panthers must rattle quarterback Marc Bulger, making his first postseason start, and force mistakes. Then they must not turn over the ball.

And they can't get overconfident.

"You just forget about it and go back to business, just like we've preached all season," coach John Fox said. "We've already moved on."

Packers (11-6) at Eagles (12-4)

Green Bay's dramatic home win carried it to Philadelphia, where the Eagles are trying to get healthy. If versatile running back Brian Westbrook (torn left triceps) can't play, that will damage the Eagles' ground and passing games.

The Eagles beat the Packers 17-14 two months ago, the fourth victory of a nine-game winning streak. The Packers believe they should have won that matchup.

This one could turn on Green Bay's ability to run the ball against a defense that regularly allowed 100-yard rushers. Ahman Green didn't have much success in the overtime victory against Seattle, and he'll be a key next Sunday.

Playoff schedule

Saturday's results

• Tennessee 20, Baltimore 17

• Carolina 29, Dallas 10

Sunday's results

• Green Bay 33, Seattle 27, OT

• Indianapolis 41, Denver 10

Saturday, Jan. 10

• Carolina at St. Louis, 4:30 p.m. (FOX)

• Tennessee at New England, 8:15 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Jan. 11

• Indianapolis at Kansas City, 1 p.m. (CBS)

• Green Bay at Philadelphia, 4:45 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, Jan. 18

• AFC Championship Game, 3 p.m. (CBS)

• NFC Championship Game, 6:45 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, Feb. 1

• Super Bowl at Houston, 6:25 p.m. (CBS)

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