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Are teams addressing needs? We can’t say if they’ve picked the right guys until we see how they all play. But we can assess how our four franchises have done in terms of filling holes or attempting to upgrade to this point.

Houston Texans

Old needs: The Texans were in desperate need of defensive backs and landed the second-best available cornerback in Johnathan Joseph and a safety better than any they have in Danieal Manning. They re-signed receiver Jacoby Jones, third tackle Rashad Butler and backup quarterback Matt Leinart. Matt Turk was a free agent who departed, so a punter is a need.

New needs: Fullback Vonta Leach was a huge part of Arian Foster’s rushing title but went to Baltimore. It seems likely the Texans will turn to versatile tight end James Casey as a lead blocker, but there are some quality free-agent options out there.

Don’t think they need: They’ve said from the time Wade Phillips evaluated personnel that Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell will be a capable combo at nose tackle. It’s a spot they may well be overestimating.

Indianapolis Colts

Old needs: A contract for quarterback Peyton Manning was No. 1, even though he was not technically a free agent, and they’ve gotten that done. They prevented safety and kicker from becoming issues with quick moves to retain Melvin Bullitt and Adam Vinatieri.

New needs: Kavell Conner is likely the third linebacker with Clint Session now a member of the Jaguars. But the linebacking depth is hardly great, and even a late veteran addition at the position might be significant.

Don’t think they need: I’m sure they’d love to find the next Reggie Wayne or a run-stuffing defensive tackle, but they either don’t see those guys out there or, more likely, aren’t changing their philosophy about chasing significant outsiders.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Old needs: Very aggressively address linebacker (with Paul Posluszny and Session), safety (with Dawan Landry) and nickelback (with Drew Coleman). That’s four quality players added to their top 12 on defense

New needs: Punter Adam Podlesh bolted for a big contract in Chicago. But the Jaguars quickly adjusted, signing Turk to replace him.

Don’t think they need: They’ve tried and failed with veteran wideouts to varying degrees -- from the bust of Jerry Porter, to the more affordable non-contributions of Troy Williamson, to the stopgap year from Torry Holt. They appear comfortable with a top three of Mike Thomas, Jason Hill and Jarett Dillard or Cecil Shorts. They won’t likely be shopping.

Tennessee Titans

Old needs: They’ve addressed quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck), middle linebacker (Barrett Ruud), defensive tackle (Shaun Smith), and guard (re-signing Leroy Harris). Safety has gone unaddressed, so it appears Chris Hope remains in place. With Ahmard Hall a free agent, they could use a fullback, but may just go with tight ends or an undrafted if he departs.

New needs: Stephen Tulloch didn’t officially leave until after the Titans signed Ruud. They lost Jason Babin to Philadelphia, but never really planned to pursue him hard, and the move of Jason Jones to end helps offset it.

Don’t think they need: Wide receiver is always an issue for the Titans, but they don’t feel the desperation outsiders do. They’re content with their group, though an experienced, low-cost free agent could eventually arrive.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Does Jacksonville have enough firepower to find big plays for David Garrard?

Maurice Jones-Drew was the team’s second-leading pass-catcher with 53 receptions in 2009. He’ll still get a lot of touches through the air, but the Jaguars need players to emerge in the passing game who balance him out with bigger averages than 7.1 yards a catch.

The Jaguars could look for another pass-catcher in the draft, but they invested three picks last year in receivers and recently added Kassim Osgood as a free agent in the hopes that he would blossom as an offensive player in a new system.

Gone is Torry Holt, the veteran who added nice leadership but middling production.

Mike Sims-Walker is a solid primary guy and tight end Marcedes Lewis got better and could be featured more now that offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will have less interference with other strong-willed assistants gone.

Can Osgood or Troy Williamson be the speed guy opposite Sims-Walker? And out of last year’s three draft picks -- Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, or Tiquan Underwood -- who will seize a role and show themselves to be a consistent option for Garrard?

This big question is filled with question marks.

But if two players out of the five unknowns for the Jaguars can produce with some consistency, I expect we see a boost in the Jaguars’ passing game.

Two young tackles and a likely upgraded interior line should give Garrard more time more often. That too should help produce more of the explosive plays that will mean less stress on, and an easier time for, Garrard and the offense as a whole.

Here's a take from Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson:

I like, but don't love, Sims-Walker. I do worry if he can stay healthy, as that has been a massive problem for him. And while he is physically impressive, he isn't the total package. As No. 1 wide receivers go, he is a low-end guy to me. I could easily come up with a dozen to 15 wide receivers that I prefer. I am quite high on the two smaller rookies from a year ago though, and expect Dillard and Thomas to make great strides. Ideally, they need one more solid wide receiver, but with all their other needs, I am not sure how they get that done. Like I said before, not a lot of room for error-which will probably often be the case in Garrard's career.

On a sort of slow afternoon, I sought inspiration and as the NFL Blog Network prepares to do something revisiting team draft needs, here is what I found:

Who is neediest?

Without getting into depth, looking at the depth charts of all four AFC South team and factoring in departures and starting spots that need upgrades, who needs the most. We assume restricted free agents stay put and regard unrestricted as holes.

Again, starters only.

Here’s my rundown, which I hope might set off some debate:

Neediest to least needy: Jaguars, Titans, Texans/Colts. What a shock, huh, that it’s reverse of the 2009 order of finish?

A closer look:

Jacksonville

The Jaguars have made it clear they aren’t going to address it, but I’m not convinced David Garrard solves quarterback and call it a need. Center Brad Meester is a wily veteran, but he’s started to fade and the Jaguars need to upgrade at center. They could also look for a change from Uche Nwaneri at right guard. Torry Holt is gone. While Kassim Osgood, Troy Williamson and Mike Thomas will all have a chance to fill the second starting receiver spot, a playmaking wideout would help, as usual.

Offense: Three

While Daryl Smith shined, a playmaking linebacker could displace restricted free agent Clint Ingram or his injury replacement, Russell Allen. Free safety, where Anthony Smith was starting ahead of Reggie Nelson at the end of 2009, is a major concern.

Defense: Two

Josh Scobee hit on 64 percent of his field goals, and the Jaguars just can’t live with a batting average like that.

Special teams: One

Total: Six

Tennessee

I don’t know that they will address it, but I think they need a starting-caliber, affordable quarterback in case Vince Young falls back to the things that got him demoted the first time.

Offense: One

While Jacob Ford and William Hayes are in line to start as the ends with Kyle Vanden Bosch gone, it would probably be better if Ford didn’t have to start. So end is a need. Jovan Haye was underwhelming as an interior starter beside Tony Brown, and while last year’s second-rounder, Sen'Derrick Marks, should be ready for that role, we’re calling defensive tackle a need. Who’s starting at corner opposite Cortland Finnegan? The Titans need better.

Defense: Three

Return games were a disaster in 209 and it’s a gigantic need.

Special teams: One

Total: Five

Houston

I expect newcomer Wade Smith and a healthy Mike Brisiel to be two of the three offensive linemen, and finding a third out of Antoine Caldwell, Kasey Studdard, Chris Myers and Chris White should be possible.

Offense: None

The Texans need to find more interior push than they got from defensive tackle Shaun Cody and Amobi Okoye, and I don’t see them giving up on Okoye yet. Ideally Cody would have a reduced role. Right cornerback Dunta Robinson left for Atlanta as a free agent, and while Jacques Reeves and Fred Bennett have starting experience, the Texans need better. Free safety has been a revolving door position for the better part of two years.

Defense: Three

Kicker Kris Brown killed the Texans in the clutch.

Special teams: One

Total: Four

Indianapolis

Ryan Lilja was let go and the Colts are looking to upgrade and get bigger. Two additions so far, Adam Terry and Andy Alleman, are hardly guarantees. I see a need for one guard and one tackle to allow them flexibility with Lilja’s spot and perhaps left tackle.

Offense: Two

Provided tenders are signed, everyone from the starting lineup who finished the season will be back. They can still use a bigger defensive tackle, but I don’t think it's a necessity with 2009 second-round defensive tackle Fili Moala expected to be much better. Strongside linebacker can probably stand an upgrade from Philip Wheeler.

Defense: One

The return game remains an issue and the Colts need at least one viable guy for the punt and/or kick return jobs.

Special teams: One

Total: Four

The Jaguars release of Torry Holt and Tra Thomas Thursday came as no surprise. It had been reported the players were told it was coming. Rob Meier, who was on injured-reserve last season, was also let go.

“After completing our postseason roster evaluation, we’ve made the decision in the best interest of the organization to release three veteran players with tremendous playing history in the league,” GM Gene Smith said in the team’s news release. “All three players have played ten or more years in the NFL and have made a positive impact on the Jaguars organization. These decisions certainly weren’t easy ones, as Torry, Tra and Rob have over 350 starts between them and they still have the ability to contribute for other teams in the league.”

The fact is, they all amounted to insurance and the Jaguars letting them go says they have confidence in the youngsters in the receiving corps and at offensive and defensive tackle.

The Jaguars are going to continue to get younger, and have graduated past the point where Smith and the Jags felt these veterans who’d have minor roles were needed for leadership or tone setting.

Houston Texans

Bud Adams was inducted into the Texas sports hall of fame, says John McClain.

The Texans hired Cedric Smith as their new strength coach, says Mark Berman. Smith is Gary Kubiak’s third coach in the post in three years.

Top draft prospects by position from Lance Zierlein.

The Redskins hired another former Texans assistant, says Alan Burge.

Indianapolis Colts

Their winning culture will help the Colts rebound, says Mike Chappell.

Bob Kravitz’s Super Bowl report card.

Only 11 people were at the airport to greet the Colts, but the setup was hardly fan friendly.

An Indianapolis plant makes New Orleans championship T-shirts, says Dana Hunsinger.

Disappointment now becomes fuel, says John Oehser.

Missed opportunities will haunt the Colts for a long time, says Tom James.

What the Colts need to do to get better, from Deshawn Zombie.

Matt Snyder looks at how the officials did in Super Bowl XLIV.

Peyton Manning won’t live it down, says Terence Moore.

Joseph Addai’s solid game didn’t get him a second ring, says Nancy Gay.

Manning took a serious hit, says Mike Freeman.

Three cures for the Colts from Clifton Brown.

What’s next for the Saints and Colts? Don Banks looks at the questions.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags have told Tra Thomas and Torry Holt they will be released and Tim Mingey won the scout of the year award, says Michael C. Wright.

Dropping Thomas and Holt is a good sign for the Jaguars, says Gene Frenette.

Vic Ketchman addresses the possibility of eliminating the three-point stance.

Tennessee Titans

Ten years later, Gregg Williams got his ring, says Jim Wyatt.

The Saints showed the Titans how to beat the Colts, says Joe Biddle.

Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson and Brian Cushing get year-end award votes from Clark Judge.

Houston Texans

Bob McNair should know Gary Kubiak’s fate already, says Jerome Solomon.

The Texans can make history and erase a lot of bad moments with a win over New England, says Dale Robertson.

Bernard Pollard and Tom Brady revisit the battle of the wounded knee, says John McClain.

Mario Williams’ potential has been unmet, says Richard Justice.

Matt Schaub has some history against the Patriots, says McClain.

Where the Texans would land if they did make the playoffs, from Alan Burge.

Indianapolis Colts

Jeff Chadiha sees a silver lining in the Colts’ storm clouds.

Curtis Painter is in line to get a lot of work, says Mike Chappell.

Snow is expected in Buffalo, says Chappell.

Adam Vinatieri won’t play, says Chappell.

Justin Snow has added tackling to his repertoire, says Phillip B. Wilson.

The NFL will look into teams pulling starters, says Chappell. But what can it do?

John Oehser’s preview includes consideration of the vibe around the team and town.

The 2009 draft class has been hit and miss, says Tom James.

Pat McAfee has worked to be ready as an emergency quarterback, says James.

Seven things to look for in Colts-Bills, from Deshawn Zombie.

Who to root for from the Colts’ perspective, from 18to88.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars will be without Rashean Mathis, Marcedes Lewis, Torry Holt and Attiyah Ellison (who’s on IR) says Michael C. Wright.

A look at Jags who could be involved in their final game Sunday, from Wright.

GM Gene Smith returns to his home state for the season finale, says Ryan Robinson of Jaguars.com.

The playoff scenario may not be as crazy as you think, says Big Cat Country.

Tennessee Titans

The Seahawks stand between Johnson and several records. Jim Wyatt’s matchups.

Johnson’s pursuit is a rare individual record that matters, says Mike Tanier.

His players want to pay Chuck Cecil’s $20,000 fine, says Jim Wyatt.

His knee injury won’t affect Keith Bulluck’s asking price, according to his agent, says Wyatt.

Sacks have been scarce, says Gary Estwick.

Matt Hasselbeck is looking for a big finish.

JACKSONVILLE -- No one in the NFL level ever embraces a moral victory.

But as good as the Jaguars’ season has been, their talent simply doesn’t yet match up against the Colts'.

A win Thursday night would have qualified as quite an upset. An exciting, narrow, 35-31 loss is one they shouldn’t kick themselves about for very long.

I asked Torry Holt if the Jags could view it as a building block.

“It’s good for this football team as young as we are to come out and compete with those guys,” he said.” They’ve been dominating all year and we’ve kind of been up and down. To come out on national TV and play the way we played on national TV I think should be exciting for this team as we move forward.

“These guys played their tails off. Again, just like we did in Week 1 against these guys, we had an opportunity on the last drive to drive, to win the ball game, and didn’t execute. But it’s good to see this football team battle with the Indianapolis Colts the way we did.”

The team announced 63,753 tickets were distributed for the game, 14,739 more than for any of the previous seven Jaguars' home games.

Asked about the potential for any consolation in front of the big crowd, David Garrard found some.

“I think it’s something for the fans to say, ‘We need to come out and support this team more because these guys are playing their butts off,’” he said. “It may not have worked out for us tonight, but you can see we can give you a great show.

“We don’t like to have moral victories. We definitely want our fans to be able to smile when they come out to see us play.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For three games, he’d dissolved into the background, an unnatural place for a playmaker of his ability.

Reggie Wayne knew his presence still dictated coverages, that a slice of what Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon and even Dallas Clark were doing was on his account. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning repeatedly said so as Wayne didn’t catch more than four balls, didn’t break a play longer than 23 yards and didn't have more than 48 yards receiving in a game.

On Thursday night against the Jaguars, he knew something else too -- he could find room down the sideline.

“Throughout the game they were kind of playing off and looking inside, looking at the quarterback,” Wayne said. “I just felt like there was a play somewhere in the game where I could just run by them if we could just control the safety with a route.”

When it arrived, Wayne ran past Derek Cox, saw Reggie Nelson occupied for a second by Collie and ran under a perfectly placed Manning pass for a 65-yard touchdown that provided the winning points with 5 minutes and 23 seconds left in a 35-31 win. In the unbeaten Colts’ 14th win of the season and 23rd in a row in the regular season, Wayne finished with five catches on seven balls aimed his direction for 132 yards and the score.

In front of their lone sellout of the season and in their first nationally televised game, the Jaguars (7-7) bucked an offensive trend with excellent red-zone production on offense. But the Jaguars needed to make sure they didn’t get burned with big plays, and they’d used up their allotment of one when Chad Simpson returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Cox, the rookie who’s a definite building block, and Nelson, the 2007 first-rounder who’s become largely unreliable, combined to allow for Wayne’s game-breaker. Cox didn’t try to knock Wayne off his route or his rhythm and couldn’t catch up to him as he ran by; Nelson’s angle was too sharp and his pursuit was fruitless.

“Manning just went to his playmaker, and he was in position to make a play,” Cox said. “We just didn’t execute properly... We wanted to eliminate the big play, any explosives. If you make them drive the length of the field, maybe the defense will hold up, maybe we’ll get an interception, cause a fumble.”

Long appreciated as a No. 1-caliber receiver, Wayne was on the same team as an all-time great until Marvin Harrison and the Colts divorced during the offseason.

At Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, his yards put him past legendary Baltimore Colts receiver Raymond Berry into second place on the franchise’s all-time receiving list with 9,339 yards.

It wins him the respect of his coach, his competition and his colleagues.

Jim Caldwell saluted him for passing Berry while Torry Holt, Manning and Collie also lavished praise.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Reggie Wayne and the way that he operates,” said Holt, the veteran the Jaguars brought in to help lead a young group. “I like the way he remains patient. Tonight he remained patient, he stayed in his routes, and Peyton was able to hit him with that long one. It’s just a tremendous amount of maturity on Reggie’s part, understanding how the game develops. He and Peyton there, it was something they saw that enabled him to get open.”

“His presence just dictates so much of what a defense is going to do, the way they defend us," said Manning, who passed for 308 yards and four TDs. "He wants to win. Like all great receivers, he wants the ball because he feels like that’s going to help our chances of winning, and he’s exactly right.”

Said Collie: “You look at tape and you can tell they know who the guy is, who the playmaker is. He’s done a great job of helping us out. …You’ve got to put your attention on that person, and between him and Dallas Clark, I think it does open up some stuff for me.”

Take away the biggie and Wayne would have had four catches for 67 yards, numbers I am sure the Jaguars would have been thrilled with.

Instead, Cox and Nelson will be answering in a film session for how it unfolded. And the Jaguars will wonder how a team that had a grip on the AFC’s final playoff berth goes about attempting to regain that hold.

The Colts are facing another, stronger round of questions about whether they will rest or play starters in their final two games against the Jets and Bills. If they pull key people early in those two, Wayne could be among the first to get the rest, again creating opportunity for Collie and Garcon. If that’s the case, it’ll hardly be like Week 14 in a home win over Denver, when he was barely a statistical factor in a game in which Brandon Marshall caught an NFL-record 21 passes.

Wayne joked after that he would have enjoyed just a couple of those receptions. Although there hadn't been huge production from Wayne recently, don't be fooled. He was being unselfish but still getting important results.

“It would be easy for him to be upset or pout, but he doesn’t,”’ Collie said. “And when a play is needed in crunch time, he’s the one who makes it. He’s done a wonderful job setting an example for us young guys as far as what a receiver should be.”

JACKSONVILLE -- Some thoughts at the half of a highly entertaining, back-and-forth Colts-Jaguars game that stands Indy 21, Jacksonville 17:

• Not Gary Brackett’s best half. He missed what should have been a fumble recovery that the Jaguars got back. Maurice Jones-Drew also ran him over on a touchdown.
• Chad Simpson got the Colts’ first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2004 against a team whose special teams coach, Russ Purnell, was a longtime Tony Dungy assistant and who Jim Caldwell let go.
• David Garrard made several good plays but he’s overthrown three open receivers -- Torry Holt, Marcedes Lewis and Holt again -- on potential big plays. The Lewis play was at the goal line and should have been picked by Kelvin Hayden.
• Dallas Clark’s great one-handed touchdown catch in Baltimore came with the assist of his helmet. His TD catch tonight, where he bobbled the ball on his back in the end zone, also got a helmet assist. This one may have been facemask.
• Jaguars rookie corner William Middleton tasted both sides of life -- he nailed Austin Collie for a loss, then got beat for a touchdown on consecutive plays.
• Matt Stover is at 2,001 career points after three PATs. He’s the fifth player in NFL history to get 2,000.
• Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have played very sparingly, only in major pass rush situations.

The Jaguars are scoring touchdowns just over half the time they cross into the red zone and it’s an issue that they’ve been harping on.

If the offense could do better there, it would help offset the defense’s struggles. Opponents are getting six points just under 60 percent of the time.

“We’ve got to do better in the red zone; you’ve got to score more touchdowns,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said in a recent chat with Jacksonville reporters. “Our goal is to always score touchdowns in the red zone. Even though we have an excellent kicker in Josh Scobee, in a perfect world you’d never see him out there except extra points and kickoffs. There have been games, especially earlier in the year, where we didn’t take advantage [of opportunities]. Last week we had a time when we got down in the red zone and we had a penalty and a sack that knocked us (back) and we made that long field goal into the wind. We’ve got to score every time we get down there or it’s going to be tough.”

Defenses feel like they’ve won when they can hold a team to a field goal when it’s earned quality field position. The Jets are coming off a bye Sunday at Giants Stadium, and to beat them odds are the Jaguars will need to find touchdowns and limit Scobee’s close range work.

Perhaps Torry Holt can help. He doesn't have a touchdown yet in his first season with the Jags.

“Yeah I am, I’m thirsty for one," he said. "It’s been awhile. I’m just trying to stay within the scheme of the offense and when my number’s called in the red zone, hopefully I have an opportunity to stick it in. But in the meantime, I’ll keep practicing hard and just keep trying to chip away at it. And again, when my number’s called in the red zone, hopefully it’ll be this week, I’ll get an opportunity to get in.”

	AP/Wade Payne
	Vince Young did not post big numbers, but he did enough to get the Titans a victory.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- How can a 125-yard passing day transform a team?

Well, it took a lot more than Vince Young for the Tennessee Titans to break into the win column and pull to 1-6 with a 30-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field.

But certainly the new starting quarterback helped changed the vibe Sunday for a team desperate for an injection of something different and fresh.

Team owner Bud Adams, who famously proclaimed “VY is my guy” when the team drafted Young in 2006, beamed in the locker room after the game while dodging a question about whether he was responsible for the swap of Young for former starter Kerry Collins. (He was.)

“He kind of proved today he can do it,” Adams said.

Teammates pointed to the boost Young provided against the Jaguars (3-4).

“He managed the game well,” guard Jake Scott said. “He did a great job, he was poised and collected and he made the plays when he had to and when the plays weren’t there to make he just got rid of the ball or scrambled and got down.”

Week 8 Coverage • Walker: Ravens D is angry • Mosley: Eagles win in laugher • Williamson: Merriman finds groove • Graham: Ginn provides happy returns • Seifert: Favre sweeps Packers away • Kuharsky: Young key in Titans' win • Sando: Cards missing Fitz • Pasquarelli: Surprise TD lifts Colts • Clayton: Denver goes down • Greenberg: Cutler tough in win • Watkins: Cowboys youth shows off • MacMahon: Austin, Crayton shine • Zoom Gallery: Images from Lambeau • NFL Nation: Reactions | Wrap-ups | Live Monday Night Football HQ • Yaskinskas: Atlanta CBs facing test

Said nickelback Vincent Fuller: “He brought a new energy back there in the backfield. He played fast, he played to his strengths. He’s a mobile quarterback who can get to different places in the pocket and he always adds that extra threat.”

Players and a scout I prodded said things were not simplified or stripped down, but they seemed that way. I felt like Young’s insertion into the lineup necessitated a simplicity that was good for a team that needed to get back to basics.

It also seemed like on some key throws, Young’s targets found more space than they had in previous weeks for Collins.

But when I threw that idea at Jaguars linebacker Justin Durant after the game, wondering if linebackers were possibly accounting for Young’s mobility, he looked at me quizzically and asked: “Did they throw the ball?”

It was a fair question. Playing from behind, Collins threw for 284 yards in the 20-point Jaguars’ victory on Oct. 4. Though Young threw only 18 times, he hit on 15. Though none of those connections were longer than 18 yards, there were no turnovers. There was a nice touchdown connection with Nate Washington on a well-thrown 6-yard fade.

Young felt good about what he did. He got a hug and a pat on the head from offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger in the game’s final minutes and another chat as they walked off the field.

“He pretty much saw me grow up a little bit tonight,” Young said. “He sees me making the right throws and the right reads, calling the plays in the huddle and getting the guys out of the huddle on time for the play clock and things like that. He basically has seen me grow up a little bit and he wanted to show his love to me."

Other keys to the result for Tennessee:

Offensive line play: Young wasn’t sacked and was able to turn 12 rushes into 30 yards. The run blocking matched the protection, and we’ll get to Chris Johnson’s record day in a minute.

New blood: Young was in the lineup, cornerback Cortland Finnegan was back from a hamstring injury and Fuller was back from a broken arm. But three relative newcomers -- defensive back/ punt returner Kevin Kaesviharn, cornerback Rod Hood and punter Brett Kern all made nice contributions.

Kaesvihard fielded one punt horribly, backtracking after a bounce, but handled four others reliably, no small feat for this team this year. Hood had an interception as the new fill in for the injured Nick Harper. Kern drew praise from Fuller, who sheepishly admitted he didn’t remember the new guy's name.

A return to formula: This year’s Titans expected to be like last year’s -- a run-driven offense spurred by a big-play defense. The defense got shredded on touchdown runs of 80- and 79-yards by Maurice Jones-Drew on two clinics of how not to tackle. But otherwise it found plays and prevented points. The Titans sacked David Garrard four times and recorded interceptions by Hood and Finnegan. The special teams contributed a blocked extra point from Michael Griffin. The Titans had at least two turnovers in each loss and none in their first victory.

CJ: When the defense is giving up huge touchdowns runs, it’s rare a team simply can cancel them out. That’s what Johnson did with 52- and 89-yard touchdown runs and a franchise record 228 rushing yards.

“I just know they were running it, whatever they wanted to, however they wanted to,” Durant said. “We just didn’t have an answer for them. …Those are plays that we’ve got to make.”

Put together the four long touchdowns and you have the first game in NFL history with four rushing touchdowns of more than 50 yards.

A little luck: The Jags' Derek Cox floated under a bad Young pass in the game early in the first quarter on the left side of the end zone. It was practically a fair-catch situation. But he booted it. “Who knows what kind of momentum that would have gave the team,” Cox said. “I had to speed up a little bit to get to it, I didn’t look the ball in, I was kind of worried about my feet being in because I felt myself drifting to the sideline.”

On Hood’s interception, Garrard’s intended target, Torry Holt, bumped into umpire Rich Hall and fell down.

The Titans surely felt due for something like that to go their way.

“This is the team I’d hoped for all year,” Jeff Fisher said. “We’re going to going to maintain this. I think we have a chance to maintain this.”

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

ESPN Stats & Information spends hours and hours reviewing NFL games, in part so I can pass on their stuff and look smart.

Here are some updated receiver numbers that touch on the division.

• Andre Johnson is tied with Randy Moss as the most targeted receiver in the NFL. They’ve each been thrown to 67 times in seven games. Reggie Wayne is seventh at 57, and the Colts have played only six games.
• Rookie Mike Thomas is third in overall catch percentage, with 14 catches in 17 chances (82 percent). He trails only Greg Camarillo of Miami (90) and Danny Amendola of St. Louis (88). Houston’s Kevin Walter is tied for fifth at 78 percent.
• In the red zone, Larry Fitzgerald (11), Chad Ochocinco (nine) and Moss (nine) are the most targeted receivers in the league. Nate Washington and Austin Collie have been thrown to eight times each. Washington has the best catch percentage of the eight top guys, at 88.
• Washington’s 80 percent catch rate on third down is third best in the league.
• Torry Holt's 60 percent catch rate for passes over 20 yards (minimum five targets) is tied for second best in the league.
• Six receivers in the NFL have been targeted five times or more with passes of 20 yards or more and failed to catch any of them. Two of them are Titans -- Justin Gage (0-for-6) and Washington (0-for-6).

Posted by ESPN.com staff

Houston Texans

Matt Schaub and his receivers found their rhythm in a 28-17 win over the Bengals.

The Texans' no-name defense is emerging into stars, writes Jerome Solomon in the Houston Chronicle.

They're a defense that was able to slow down the NFL's leading rusher, Cedric Benson.

The Chronicle's Richard Justice thinks the win was Texans coach Gary Kubiak's "finest hour."

Indianapolis Colts

Coming off a bye week, the Colts have several of their injured stars closer to getting back on the field.

At 5-0, the Colts' new regime looks like it's off to a pretty good start.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It wasn't pretty, but the Jags found a way to win against the Rams, writes Jacksonville.com's Michael C. Wright.

Gene Frenette thinks the Jags showed resolve on Sunday.

Receiver Torry Holt came through in this bout against his former team, catching five passes for 101 yards.

The Rams made it easier on Jacksonville by playing conservatively, says Frenette.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans suffered a complete meltdown against New England, writes the Tennessean's Jim Wyatt.

No one in the locker room was pointing fingers at the Patriots running up the score in the 59-0 win.

For the second straight week, Titans quarterback Kerry Collins watched the offense work from the sideline.

Titans owner Bud Adam has no idea why his team is playing so poorly, but has no plans to fire coach Jeff Fisher.

The Tennessean's David Climer has a thought: Maybe this is just the worst Titans team ever.

Posted by Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson

What to expect from AFC South QBs this weekend:

Garrard

Jacksonville’s David Garrard: Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is known for bringing pressure and frankly, St. Louis has nothing to lose. Garrard should expect a steady diet of blitzes. In turn, Mike Sims-Walker could draw single coverage, usually from Ron Bartell, who is one of the most underrated corners in the league. Chris Long is one player to watch. He has been far from spectacular since being selected No. 2 in the 2008 draft, but has a similar skill set to the Giants' Justin Tuck, Spagnuolo's wild-card player with his former team. Long could line up in a variety of spots on the defensive front.

Garrard was pummeled in Week 5 in Seattle. This isn't as tough of a matchup, but Jacksonville's rookie tackles could use some help. Draws and screen passes to Maurice Jones-Drew could be a good remedy. Garrard does certainly tend to play better at home and veteran wide receiver Torry Holt might have a little something extra for his former team, but Garrard's season has been a roller coaster thus far.

Collins

Tennessee’s Kerry Collins: Collins was taken out of Week 5's blowout loss to the Colts for Vince Young and that certainly could occur once again this week, although Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee decision-makers probably already know deep down that Young is not the long-term answer at quarterback. While Collins is in the game, the Patriots will probably stack the box on early downs in order to best defend the run. However, by doing so, the Patriots are vulnerable to the pass and this is a defense that has struggled against the pass over the last two weeks.

Thought of mostly as a 3-4 scheme, New England is also incorporating quite a bit of 4-3 this season. By doing so, they put two massive bodies in the middle of the field, allowing star-in-the-making middle linebacker Jarod Mayo a lot of room to run and hit. Collins' wide receivers should see plenty of one-on-one coverage on the perimeter, an area he could potentially exploit with his big arm. Also, New England is not an elite pass-rushing defense and the Titans' excellent pair of offensive tackles has a distinct advantage over the Patriots edge pass rushers. Collins might also find matchups to his liking against New England's heavier 3-4 linebackers against the dynamic Chris Johnson.

Johnson only touched the ball 11 times last week, which is criminal. But, most importantly, this all sounds favorable on paper, but this offense and this Titans' team as a whole simply are not executing to their capabilities. If Tom Brady and the Patriots passing game exploits Tennessee's awful pass defense and injury riddled secondary, Bill Belichick will have Collins right where he wants him.

Schaub

Houston’s Matt Schaub: The Bengals have two former first-round selections in up-and-coming Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. Hall has been exceptional against No. 1 wideouts this year. Both are very capable making big plays, but they also tend to play a lot of off coverage. When Schaub sees off coverage against Andre Johnson on early downs, he would be smart to audible into a one-step drop and get the ball out very quickly to his stud receiver. From there, Johnson should consistently put this offense in favorable down-and-distance situations and of course, there is also a chance of Johnson breaking a big play with his after-the-catch skills.

The Bengals have also allowed a plethora of long completions. But, Schaub should not expect a lot of help from his running game this week. Steve Slaton is struggling and the Bengals are more physical at the line of scrimmage. They boast a very good run defense. That should also eliminate the play-action game.

Also working against Schaub is Cincinnati's power run game led by Cedric Benson. Houston's defense also is at a physical disadvantage this week and I fully expect the Bengals to control the time-of-possession battle, which of course, keeps Schaub and Johnson on the sidelines.

Lastly, Antwan Odom could present problems as an edge pass rusher as well. He is playing at a high level this year and Schaub has questionable pocket presence and his ability to elude the rush is very average. Only three defenses have more sacks than the Bengals this year.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Brian Burke’s win probabilities for Week 6.

Houston Texans

• This is no time for Gary Kubiak to lose, says Jerome Solomon.
• Texans-Bengals will be a USC linebacker reunion, says John McClain.
• The consistency theme strikes Alan Burge as hollow.

Indianapolis Colts

• “Wednesday wasn't smooth around the Colts' Westside Indianapolis complex. Far from it. It was difficult. It was shocking. It was confusing.” John Oehser on the wake of the Ed Johnson release.
• Stover is happy to be a Colt, writes Oehser.
• Peyton Manning says his knee is fine, according to Oehser.
• Injured Colts defenders are nearing their return, says Tom James.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Maurice Jones-Drew vented about the inconsistent run game, says Vito Stellino.
• The remaining schedule is accommodating, says Gene Frenette.
• “Teams that have gutted their roster, turned it upside down and inside out for the purpose or ridding itself of last year’s identity, usually haven’t acquired a new identity just five weeks into the season,” says Vic Ketchman.
• Ketchman’s not a fan of players peeking at video boards for hints during plays.
• Comments from Jones-Drew and Torry Holt sounded like emerging leadership to Cole Pepper.

Tennessee Titans

• Bill Belichick credits Floyd Reese with getting him on track as an NFL coach, say Jim Wyatt and Gary Estwick. Reese, the former Titans GM, is now in the Patriots’ front office.
• Jevon Kearse can’t recapture his past glory, writes Jim Wyatt.
• Kearse offers no apologies for leaving Sunday after he was deactivated, says Terry McCormick.
• Wyatt ponders how Kearse handled himself.
• William Hayes was surprised to start over Kearse, writes McCormick.
• Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan didn’t practice, says Estwick.