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The Texans and Titans face similar circumstances for the first month of the season, as they both will be missing a strong presence at outside linebacker.

Both Houston’s Brian Cushing, the reigning defensive rookie of the year, and Tennessee’s Gerald McRath, a second-year player expected to be a big factor for the defense, are suspended for the first four games for violations of the league’s policy against performance enhancers.

Their first-choice replacements both have durability issues.

The Texans' Xavier Adibi and the Titans' Colin Allred are constantly nicked up. Adibi’s healthy at the right time and will start Sunday against Indianapolis. Allred’s been limited this week with an ankle injury but practiced Friday. The Titans could go with Jamie Winborn instead, but linebackers coach Dave McGinnis said Allred is ahead because he's been around longer and knows the defense better.

The drop-off at both spots is significant -- certainly more so in Houston than in Tennessee as McRath hasn’t proven much yet.

But both defenses might be quicker to go to nickel packages and take that extra backer off the field. Houston would be kicking Glover Quin inside with Brice McCain taking his spot. Tennessee would be pulling Allred or Winborn in favor of Vincent Fuller, a safety who covers slot receivers.

Against the Colts, the Texans are going to play plenty of five-defensive back sets. How much the Raiders will go three-wide with new quarterback Jason Campbell under center remains to be seen.

But for both teams, it’s something we’ll be monitoring.

Maybe after the weekend, the Titans will talk against with Oakland about trading for Thomas Howard.

Check here for a full list of Tennessee's roster moves.

Biggest surprises: Running back Samkon Gado ran ahead of LeGarrette Blount since he was added, but Gado lost out to the unproven rookie. Tight end Sean Ryan seemed like he’d stick as insurance for Craig Stevens, whose role is now quite important and who’s had concussion issues in the past. But the Titans parted ways with Ryan. Veteran cornerback Tye Hill was surprised he was let go, according to The Tennessean. Jeff Fisher says teams need at least four corners. If you count nickelback Vincent Fuller, a safety, in the equation the numbers are OK. But otherwise unproven Ryan Mouton is fourth.

No-brainers: Chris Simms often looked confused and flustered in preseason action, and it became clear that the Titans would stick with Kerry Collins as the veteran backup to Vince Young while looking to develop rookie Rusty Smith for down the road. Collins can run the scout team at practice and step in with no practice work if and when he’s needed, and Smith’s got a lot of good qualities, including a nice arm and swagger.

What’s next: The Titans will probably look for help at linebacker, where Gerald McRath’s four-game suspension is underway, and the primary alternative, Collin Allred, has not been durable lately. Could they pursue Oakland’s Thomas Howard in a trade? The depth right now beyond Stephen Tulloch, Will Witherspoon and Allred is Jamie Winborn, Stanford Keglar and long snapper Ken Amato. With receiver Paul Williams finally gone, Keglar can be the guy fans wonder about still being around.

Three things I’ll be looking for in Saints at Titans:

Control: The defending Super Bowl champion Saints are just seven days from their season opener while the Titans have 10 days before their opener against Oakland. New Orleans will play the starters who play very little, while Jeff Fisher uses this as the primary warm-up game with front-liners into the third quarter. Given that, if Tennessee’s starters don’t look a good deal better than the Saints’ backup crew, it won’t signal great things.

Revelations at corner and linebacker: As this game is considered the dress rehearsal, it’ll be a big development if we see rookie Alterraun Verner starting opposite the now-healthy Cortland Finnegan as opposed to Jason McCourty. And the outside linebacker who starts opposite Will Witherspoon -- probably Colin Allred -- is very likely the guy who will fill in during Gerald McRath’s four-game, season-opening suspension.

Return men: Fisher won’t hesitate to use Marc Mariani as his primary return man come the start of the regular season, and he will get the chance in the first half of this game. But Damian Williams still rates as the favorite. He’ll get his work in the second half and needs to be mistake free. A big play would really help him.

A check in on unresolved starting position battles in the division as teams prepare for preseason finales on Thursday and the cut down to 53 on Saturday.

Houston Texans

Right guard: It’s third-year man Mike Brisiel, who missed all but the opener last season with an injury, trying to hold off second-year man Antoine Caldwell. I’d think they view Caldwell as having more upside and being more suited to the system, but it seems too close to call still.

Kicker: Kris Brown could be limited with a bit of a foot injury, but it doesn’t sound like it will factor into the decision. He and Neil Rackers have been quite even, so the question becomes does Gary Kubiak stay loyal to Brown or decide a change of scenery will be healthier and go with Rackers?

Outside linebacker: While Brian Cushing sits the first four games to serve his suspension, it's still unclear what the Texans will do. There was a lot of talk about Zac Diles playing strongside while rookie Daryl Sharpton took Diles' spot. Now the local media is talking as if Kevin Bentley is the front-runner.

Indianapolis Colts

Left guard: The offensive line’s been a complete scramble in the preseason because of injuries. Presuming Charlie Johnson is set to return as left tackle for opening day in Houston, this spot looks like the one most up in the air. Tony Ugoh was plugged in at the start of camp, but then wound up at tackle when Johnson was hurt. Jamey Richard could also win it, and if the Colts are being secretive, rookie Jacques McClendon could factor in.

Return man: Three newcomers -- Brandon James, Devin Moore and Ray Fisher -- have all gotten looks in games. Moore had the best results with the ball in his hands. But he's been dinged and the other two have made fielding errors with Fisher booting one against Buffalo and James doing the same at Green Bay. How they stack up in-house right now is unknown, and Thursday could certainly still factor into things.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Right guard: Has Vince Manuwai, an incumbent starter, held on to the one open spot on the line? If so he should play on the right. If not, Uche Nwaneri will probably play on the right with Kynan Forney on the left. It seems Jack Del Rio’s decided, but just isn’t sharing yet.

Safety: Both spots are hardly cemented, and it will be a bigger surprise if the team doesn’t add a safety from waivers than if it does. Anthony Smith looks to lead at strong with Gerald Alexander at free, but they have Sean Considine and Reggie Nelson and even Courtney Greene and Tyron Brackenridge in the mix too. None of them has stepped forward and made a huge push so far.

Tennessee Titans

Right cornerback: Jason McCourty is steadier and faster, rookie Alterraun Verner is a bigger playmaker. Jeff Fisher’s left open the possibility of playing them both, but that’s a difficult juggling act that could slow the progress of both. It’s also a good way for the coach to keep quiet on the starter in the opener until just before kickoff.

Returner: Damian Williams is the guy they’d like to win it, but he’s been a little timid and lost a fumble during a return in Carolina. Another rookie, Marc Mariani, is the primary alternative.

Outside linebacker: While Gerald McRath serves his four-game suspension, who lines up with Stephen Tulloch and Will Witherspoon? Colin Allred would appear the leader, with Jamie Winborn the other possibility. Activating David Thornton off PUP and using him is an outside option. I don’t see it considering his scheduled salary of around $5 million, his propensity for getting hurt and his current physical status.

Three things I’ll be watching for in Titans at Carolina:

The second corner: Alterraun Verner challenging Jason McCourty for the second cornerback spot. They should both get extensive action since Cortland Finnegan won’t play. Carolina quarterbacks have been miserable so far, though. The Titans would probably like to see Matt Moore and the backups do more to test the secondary so they have something to judge.

Flashes from Damian Williams: He was reliable but hardly spectacular in his first preseason game Monday night. The Titans need the rookie returner to be more decisive and break off a chunk or two. If he can do it against the Panthers’ front-line coverage teams, it would boost the team's confidence that it has a return man, and he could separate him from Marc Mariani.

Plays from linebackers: It would be good to see a solid effort from a linebacker not named Gerald McRath, Stephen Tulloch or Will Witherspoon. McRath is going to be out the first four games. Now would be a great time for Colin Allred, Jamie Winborn or even Rennie Curran or Mike Rivera to have a big game that shouts “I’m your man” to Tennessee’s coaches.

A pre-camp depth chart can tell us more about PR, seniority and staff loyalties than about who will be in up-in-the air spots come opening day.

That said, having one is better than not having one. And among our four franchises, only the Titans have one out so far.

I just got around to scanning the depth chart the Titans included as part of their training camp release and thought a few bullet points were worth mention and discussion.

• Though middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch was not with the team through the entire offseason as he tried to leverage a long-term deal, he is listed as the starting middle linebacker. Odds are he’s in camp in time -- his one-year restricted free-agent tender was signed in June. Colin Allred’s worked in his place, and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if coach Jeff Fisher put Allred with the first team to start to make a statement of his own.
• At outside linebacker, Gerald McRath and David Thornton are listed as the starters. But Fisher said during OTAs, while Thornton healed multiple injuries, that the veteran didn’t qualify as a starter then. McRath is suspended for the first four games. Will Witherspoon, listed behind McRath, was the team’s biggest free-agent addition and is unquestionably going to be one of the starters outside.
• Rookie third-rounder Damian Williams is listed as the front-liner at both punt returner and kick returner, with another rookie receiver, Marc Mariani, second at punt returner and Kenny Britt second at kick returner. Alvin Pearman is third at both and clearly only veteran insurance. But Pearman ranks third at running back, ahead of rookies LeGarrette Blount and Stafon Johnson.
• Elsewhere, rookies rate lowly, as you’d expect. First-round defensive end Derrick Morgan is third on one side behind Jacob Ford and Jason Babin.
• Defensive tackle Jovan Haye, the player I rate as most likely to be demoted out of the starting lineup, remains a starter ahead of Jason Jones and Sen’Derrick Marks.
• Cornerback Jason McCourty is the second starter, with Ryan Mouton and rookie Alterraun Verner behind him while Tye Hill is backing up Cortland Finnegan on the other side.

Again, it’s an unofficial depth chart they are nice enough to provide this early for us to pick apart. We’ll take similar looks at the others when we first see them.

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

Forbes magazine's annual list of the 50 most valuable sports franchises has the Texans listed at number 10. The Houston Chronicle reports: "The Texans' exalted financial status -- the franchise is valued at $1.15 billion, according to Forbes -- reflects the almighty power of the NFL, football's cherished place in Texas' culture, the largesse of Harris County taxpayers and the kismet of showing up at the right place at the right time."

HoustonTexans.com has a position preview of the team's safeties.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts signed another pick from the 2010 draft class after inking a four-year deal with seventh-round pick linebacker Kavell Conner.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville is focused on signing defensive tackle Tyson Alualu after inking a deal with sixth-round draft pick running back and punt returner Deji Karim.

Tennessee Titans

Running back coach Kennedy Pola is leaving Tennessee and will be the new offensive coordinator at USC. Coach Jeff Fisher was particularly upset that USC coach Lane Kiffin failed to contact him before the hire. Fisher told The Tennessean: “So I am very disappointed in the lack of professionalism on behalf of Lane, to call me and leave me a voice mail after Kennedy had informed me he had taken the job. It is just a lack of professionalism."

The Titans will start the season with a new group of linebackers. "I think everyone tries to prepare themselves for whatever might happen because we have no idea what the final look is going to be," linebacker Colin Allred told the The Tennessean.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A couple thoughts out of the Tennessee Titans' organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday:

• I think Will Witherspoon is going to be a good player and a settling force for this team. So I was surprised to see that he’s not currently on the field as part of the nickel package, yielding to Gerald McRath and Colin Allred, who’s filling in for Stephen Tulloch. Tulloch is not with the team as a protest over his contract. Both Jeff Fisher and Witherspoon said they expect he will ultimately be part of the nickel package, and that his absence from it now is merely about him getting to know the base component of the system first.
• Fisher has talked about rotating candidates through the starting cornerback spot opposite Cortland Finnegan. But until Tuesday it’s been all Jason McCourty. Now it’s Ryan Mouton. “Mouton just needs to go out there with the ones and continue to make the plays,” Fisher said. “He’s got a real good feel for what we’re doing, the one-on-one stuff has really improved, his understanding of the concepts is improving. He just needs to go out and make plays. McCourty did a nice job. He was very quiet, very competitive and much better playing the ball this spring, getting his hands on the ball, reacting to things.” Tye Hill, who suffered a hamstring injury Monday, and rookie Alterraun Verner will also get chances at the spot, Fisher said.
• Kenny Britt is out of the doghouse where he landed for coming to initial OTAs out of shape. Mostly. He’s still not running with the first unit -- lining up only after the likes of Lavelle Hawkins -- and didn’t have a great day. Fisher said Britt’s climb back up the depth chart is about consistency and time. If Britt doesn’t qualify as this team’s top receiver by opening day, it’ll be a huge disappointment.
• Everyone had a good laugh when Chris Simms scored in a goal line period on a bootleg. Not really his forte.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans officially need to see signs of life from David Thornton.

The veteran outside linebacker has not participated in any offseason practices as he recovers from shoulder and hip surgeries. Some insiders believe while Thornton’s spirit is willing, his body simply is no longer able.

Earlier this offseason Jeff Fisher said Thornton didn’t qualify as a starter because he was unable to practice.

Gerald McRath's four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s policy against performance enhancers may just play perfectly into Thornton getting a final season with the Titans. He is due roughly $4.3 million in the final year of his contract and, if he’s healthy, he should be a better option than Stanford Keglar, rookie Rennie Curran or Jamie Winborn.

If depth is still such a question after camp, I think they will pay Thornton and play him.

Then, if he’s going well through the first month, the Titans can wait to see if, and when, he breaks down before installing McRath. If he’s not performing well or has gotten hurt, the Titans know they’ve got a healthy upgrade arriving for their fifth game.

If Thornton can’t get healthy, and the Titans had to look to another alternative, they could play Colin Allred in the middle and Stephen Tulloch outside. Will Witherspoon is in line as the other starter on the outside.

I know McRath’s suspension will spark another round of talk about the possibility of bringing back Keith Bulluck, and the politically correct Jeff Fisher tossed Bulluck’s name out again Monday.

Considering Bulluck probably won’t be back to full strength at the start of the season after an ACL tear in late Decemeber, I don’t see how his chance to return -- slim to none in my eyes -- is enhanced by McRath’s development.

Tulloch has signed his $2.521 million restricted free agent tender offer, according to Fisher.

The middle linebacker had no choice. Starting Tuesday teams can substitute tenders of 110 percent of last year’s salary for the restricted free agent offers made back in March.

I expect Tulloch will continue to stay away from the team during voluntary workouts and organized team activities to protest the lack of a long-term deal. But I don’t think he’s getting one this year, and it’ll be costly for him to stay away once training camp starts.

Patrick5005 in Nashville writes: Dear Paul, I want to say that I enjoy reading your blogs everyday and I just had two questions. Now the last two games after the Titans lost Keith Bulluck the defense was not the same. Should the Titans make every effort to re-sign him and if they don't is there another free agent linebacker who would fit in their system and possibly flourish with the Titans?

Paul Kuharsky: All indications are that they aren't planning on trying to bring him back and he's not expecting them to.

There were more factors contributing to bad defense in the end than Bulluck’s absence. And there is a hole in looking at it as you are -- when he was out they didn’t have the replacement on the roster they will have next year. They were playing Gerald McRath and Colin Allred as their outside linebackers. Next year McRath may be a starter. I expect he will be. But the other outside guy will be a newcomer (or David Thornton, but I think he’s gone too.)

So you can’t say next year’s team without Bulluck is the same as the one that ended the season without him, because they’ll be an upgrade on Allred.

For me, it would make sense for them to get a veteran linebacker and then address corner and defensive end in the draft.

I can’t pretend to know who they like in free agency. But I wouldn’t expect a big name. Whoever they bring in at whatever position, I’d expect someone like Thornton was when he came in, a guy who’s ready to play his best ball, not one who’s probably already played it.

With a smaller pool because of the restrictions on free agency, he won’t be easy to find or sign.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 16:

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws deep well, but shorter stuff might be more effective Friday night at Tennessee. The Titans and the Lions allow the highest completion percentage on balls thrown 10 yards or less -- 74.5. Much of that is by design. Jeff Fisher and his team are willing to give up small gains. But break a tackle against a defense with two young linebackers (Gerald McRath and Colin Allred) subbing for Keith Bulluck and David Thornton, and a short gain could be a long one. One aside: The Titans lost their first two home games this season by a cumulative score of 65-40. They’ve won their past five at LP Field by a combined score of 165-78.

Dallas Clark's next 100-yard receiving game will be the eighth of his career, which will match Hall of Fame Colt John Mackey's total. Clark’s got the most tight end TDs in the NFL since 2007 with 27, leading Antonio Gates by four. Peyton Manning and Clark have connected on 41 touchdowns. They trail only two duos in history: Sonny Jurgensen and Jerry Smith of the Redskins (43) and Drew Bledsoe and Ben Coates of the Patriots (45).

Matt Schaub can thank his sure-handed wide receivers for the career year he's having. Among wide receivers who have been targeted on at least 45 passes this season, nobody has caught a higher percentage than David Anderson (80.4), while teammate Kevin Walter is third on the list at 77.4. The Texans are third in the league with an on-target/drop percentage of 5.3, according to ESPN Stats & Information. It’s also a testament to Schaub’s accuracy.

The Jaguars' interior line play hasn’t been great this season in protecting David Garrard from the rush, but it must be doing something right when Maurice Jones-Drew gets the ball. He should get a good deal of carries up the middle at Gillette Stadium Sunday. Stats & Info says Jones leads the NFL in rushes and yards up the middle this season. New England's interior run defense has been suspect this season. MJD has 202 of his 278 carries up the middle this season for 834 yards and seven touchdowns. The Patriots allow 4.3 yards per carry up the middle, and that number’s been 5.9 in their past two games.

The Jets blitz a bunch. Manning doesn’t flinch when teams send extra rushers. According to Stats & Info, the Jets send at least five players after the quarterback on 55.7 pct of passing plays, by far the highest percentage of any team in the league. But Manning is completing 70 percent of his passes against the blitz this season and has a passer rating of 106.8 against five or more rushers. Jets’ opponents have completed 49.6 percent of their passes against blitzes, while Manning’s hit on 69.9.

Projecting the playoff field with Dom Bonvissuto. He has Jags losing two, Titans winning two but not getting in and Texans losing two.

Brian Cushing and Jacob Lacey make Mike Tanier’s All-Rookie Team.

Jim Caldwell’s on Dave Goldberg’s list of the best coaches; Gary Kubiak’s among the worst.

Houston Texans

Arian Foster needs to take advantage, says Jerome Solomon.

Duane Brown (knee) may not be able to play, says John McClain.

The case for Matt Schaub as a Pro Bowler, from Mike Kerns.

Possible courses of action regarding Steve Slaton, from Battle Red Blog.

Rookie ratings from Lance Zierlein put Cushing first, Percy Harvin second and Clay Matthews third.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is looking good in a poll of MVP voters, says Mike Chappell.

Over the past eight seasons, no team has turned the ball over less than Indianapolis, says Phil Richards.

After practicing Monday, Anthony Gonzalez was out Wednesday, says Chappell.

Ryan Diem isn’t slipping, Chappell says.

Adam Vinatieri says it’s a now or never type of thing, says John Oehser.

Seven surprising gifts the Colts got this year, including the development of Pat McAfee and Lacey, from Oehser.

Breaking down the strength of the Colts’ schedule compared to San Diego's, with Deshawn Zombie.

The Colts are the team to beat in the AFC, says Clifton Brown. (Vinnie Iyer says it’s the Chargers.)

Jacksonville Jaguars

History isn’t kind to the Jags against the Patriots or Tom Brady, says Vito Stellino.

Fred Taylor expanded on his remarks about the Jaguars, and said LA may be a better alternative, says Michael C. Wright.

Fearing “the banana cream pie effect” with Vic Ketchman.

Can the Jags finally get by the Patriots, asks Jonathan Loesche.

Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson still thinks he has a shot at Eric Dickerson’s rushing record, says Jim Wyatt.

Rod Hood’s working in the place of the injured Nick Harper, says Wyatt.

Wyatt’s game breakdown.

Gerald McRath and Colin Allred feel ready to step in as the outside linebackers, says Terry McCormick.

McRath’s got the spotlight now, says Estwick.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling

1. Reggie Nelson, Jaguars FS: Featured here before, he hurt the Jaguars’ chances at being the team to beat Indianapolis on Thursday with his misplay on Reggie Wayne’s 65-yard touchdown catch that put Indy ahead. Nelson was pretty good as a rookie after he was the 21st pick in 2007. But his second and third years have been a disappointment. Perhaps addressing his spot in the offseason will wind up ranking on the priority list.

2. Texans run game: It’s the blocking, it’s the backs, it’s the play calling, it’s everything. Arian Foster, the newest guy to get a chance, fumbled an early catch and saw minimal time. In the second consecutive game against a bad NFC West team, the Texans could not seize control by running with any consistency. A week after AFC South rival Tennessee averaged 5.3 yards a carry in a thrashing of the Rams, Houston managed a 2.2 average.

3. Titans veteran linebackers: The Titans lost both of their outside linebackers for the season. The durable Keith Bulluck tore the ACL in his left knee and will see a starting streak of 127 games end. David Thornton, who’s been dealing with a shoulder injury, was also shelved and will have surgery.

Rookie Gerald McRath can play. But the other spot and a pairing of inexperienced outside backers McRath and Colin Allred or Stanford Keglar or newly signed veteran Jamie Winborn could be a big issue.

Rising

1. Daniel Muir, Colts DT: The position was considered a big weakness in 2008, but the top three interior defensive linemen right now were on the team last year. Second-round draft pick Fili Moala was supposed to add size and impact, but Muir has filled that role.
The 312-pounder is averaging over seven tackles a game in his last six, including 10 at Jacksonville. Offenses are averaging 3.9 yards a carry in that span, an improved number for Indy.

2. Justin Gage, Titans WR: Gage’s big leaping catch in San Francisco in Week 9 ended with a crash that broke bones in his lower back. He missed four games and is now playing as the third receiver. He hardly got wide open for his two touchdown catches against the Dolphins, but when Vince Young put up perfect passes for him, he pulled them both in. If Gage plays like that, and Nate Washington holds on to the ball, those two and impressive rookie Kenny Britt could be the team’s best receiving trio in some time.

3. Gerald Alexander, Jaguars SS: Helping offset Nelson’s poor play is a summer trade acquisition. The Jaguars got Alexander from Detroit in exchange for receiver Dennis Northcutt on June 30. In his past three games, he has an interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He’s looking like a guy who could be part of a long-term answer.

If the Titans are going to make it to an improbable 9-7 finish, they must do it with two inexperienced linebackers in their base defense.

Keith Bulluck, who’s started 127 consecutive games, is out for the year with a torn ACL in his left knee. David Thornton, who has battled a shoulder injury in recent weeks, is also finished, Jeff Fisher said Monday at his news conference. Thornton will have shoulder and pectoral surgery in the next few days.

Bulluck’s been a defensive stalwart for the team and is heading for unrestricted free agency. If the injury suffered Sunday against the Dolphins was his final moment with the Titans, it’s a sad ending.

A speedy linebacker who has been especially good in coverage, he has also served as a no-nonsense team spokesman since early in his tenure as a starter.

Without him or Thornton, the team is OK with rookie Gerald McRath. But now Colin Allred’s in line to start in a trio led by middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who will stay on the field in nickel situations. Second-year man Stanford Keglar is the primary backup.

That’s a significant downgrade to the Tennessee defense.

The Titans face San Diego at LP Field Christmas night before finishing at Seattle. Two wins could get them to 9-7 after an 0-6 start, but they’d also need a bunch of help because their poor conference record won’t help them in playoff tiebreakers.

Bulluck was the team’s leading tackler with 113 with three tackles for a loss, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

He posted these three messages on his Twitter account (@kbull53) this afternoon:

"Yo so y'all heard the news torn ACL...after 127 str8 games u already kno I ain't go'n out like this. My spirits r gr8 thanx 4 the love cont."

"and support all this year."

"I think my rehab hobby is gonna be to finally learn to play my guitar..."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A high throw by Chad Henne that floated over his intended receiver and into the arms of Michael Griffin bailed the Titans out in a game they tried to hand away.

After a 27-24 overtime win over Miami, the Titans remarkably stand at 7-7 in a season that started 0-6. They are in range of an AFC pack of teams fighting for wild card spots, though Tennessee needs two more wins and a slew of favorable results to qualify.

The Titans’ AFC record would kill them in a lot of tiebreaking scenarios even if they get to 9-7.

They beat Miami with an efficient and balanced game over three quarters, but had to survive a late-game collapse where they allowed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives by the Dolphins and a two-point conversion on the second one.

Inexplicably, Jeff Fisher kept three timeouts in his pocket with the Dolphins pinned at their own 2-yard line and 56 seconds remaining at the conclusion of regulation. The Titans then lost the coin toss, but were saved by Griffin’s pick and Rob Bironas' 46-yard field goal.

Vince Young threw for three touchdowns for the first time in his career, two to Justin Gage, while Chris Johnson topped 100 rushing yards for the ninth consecutive game.

The defense took the ball away from the Dolphins three times near scoring territory.

But the Titans could have severe linebacking issues Christmas night against San Diego. Keith Bulluck left the game in the second half with a knee injury, which meant Gerald McRath, who started for the injured David Thornton, was working opposite Colin Allred, another young linebacker.

The training room may be full after a physical game, but the hopes remain high.

The Titans will head home as fans of the Bears against the Ravens, the Packers against the Steelers and the Raiders against the Broncos.