Titans (6-1) at Dolphins (6-1)
8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Dolphins by 3
Preview | War Room preview | Baxter's bits
Joe Theismann's Sunday night spotlight
Focal Point: Jevon Kearse vs. Cecil Collins

Why to watch:
These two are involved in a four-way tie for the NFL's best record, joining the Rams and Jaguars as the league's only 6-1 clubs. After handing St. Louis its first loss last week, Tennessee faces another titanic clash against a Dolphins team that has been dominating with its defense. The Titans rarely play on national television, so Jeff Fisher's club will definitely relish this opportunity.

The Dolphins have won four in a row, including three games in which the inexperienced Damon Huard has filled in for Dan Marino at quarterback. In the 11 quarters while Marino has been sidelined, Miami's defense has given up just one touchdown. Huard will make his third career start, while Marino rests a pinched nerve in his neck for at least another week.

The Titans are riding a three-game winning streak, and they also know a thing or two about winning with a backup quarterback. Tennessee went 4-1 while starter Steve McNair missed five weeks with a back injury. McNair returned last week and looked sharp in Tennessee's 24-21 victory over St. Louis. His mobility will be a key factor against a Dolphins defense that is excellent in pursuit.

Who to watch:
McNair threw for two TDs and ran for another in the first quarter last week, but the offense struggled a bit after that. He will need to do a better job of getting the ball downfield to WRs Yancey Thigpen and Kevin Dyson, who face tough matchups with Dolphins CBs Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley.

INJURY REPORT

Titans: QUESTIONABLE: DE Kenny Holmes (ankle); CB Steve Jackson (hamstring); TE Mike Roan (neck); CB Denard Walker (hamstring); TE Frank Wycheck (knee). Dolphins: OUT: C John Bock (knee-injured reserve); QB Dan Marino (cervical nerve root). QUESTIONABLE: LB Anthony Harris (groin); DE Kenny Mixon (multiple abrasions-contusions). PROBABLE: G Mark Dixon (groin); TE Troy Drayton (toe); CB Jerry Wilson (leg).

When the deep routes are taken away, McNair will resort to dumping the ball to TE Frank Wycheck and RB Eddie George, who has caught 23 passes in seven games and is on pace to break his career-high of 37 catches, set last season. George has had just one 100-yard rushing game this year, however. Titans LT Brad Hopkins and LG Bruce Matthews are the strength of the offensive line, and they must control Dolphins DT Daryl Gardener and DE Jason Taylor. Titans DE Jevon Kearse is an emerging force and a leading contender for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Although Miami is leaning more heavily on its ground game, Huard is putting the ball up. The third-year pro threw 32 passes last week at Oakland and is averaging 31.7 passes per contest in his last three games. Fisher's "46" defense is sure to throw a variety of looks at Huard, who has proven to be quite mobile. Dolphins rookie RB J.J. Johnson got more carries last week than Cecil Collins, who was in Jimmy Johnson's doghouse after fumbling the previous week against Philadelphia.

Dolphins WR Tony Martin has caught just six passes for 60 yards in his last two games. Dolphins RT James Brown will try to silence the disruptive Kearse. Dolphins LB Zach Thomas has been a terror all over the field this season, and his performance will be key against a Titans club that likes to throw the screen pass to George. Dolphins K Olindo Mare has converted a league-high 25 field goals and only missed twice. The Titans, who used eight defensive backs at times against St. Louis, are known for trying some unconventional defensive looks. Don't be surprised if Tennessee uses a five-man defensive line at times against Miami's ground game.

Titans' numbers to know:
Although, Miami's defense will get most of the pub, the Titans have actually allowed fewer points (140) than the Dolphins (143) this season. However, there is a big difference when it comes to yards allowed. Tennessee ranks 24th in the NFL in total defense, giving up an average of 334.1 yards per game, including 225.9 in the air. Miami ranks No. 3 in total defense, surrendering a mere 249.6 yards per game.

Dolphins' numbers to know:
Miami knows how to win the close ones, winning its last five games by a combined 17 points. The Dolphins have won three straight meetings in this series, with all three victories coming by three points.

What it means:
The winner will emerge at least tied for the best record in the AFC and the entire NFL. Despite their hot starts, both teams are involved in tight divisional races. Tennessee is tied with Jacksonville for the AFC Central lead, and both have soft remaining schedules. If the Titans can pass this test in Miami, they should be favored in all their games leading up to a Dec. 26 showdown with the Jaguars.

The Dolphins are a half-game ahead of the Patriots in the AFC East. Miami is entering a tough stretch of its schedule, with upcoming games against the Bills, Patriots, Cowboys and Colts. Another victory against a top opponent (and without Marino) would help the Fish build some momentum.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Titans' game plan:
Fisher had the guts to start McNair last week, even though the Titans had played so well with Neil O'Donnell at quarterback. McNair was able to kill the Rams with his feet, on quarterback draws and scrambles. The Dolphins, however, like playing someone like McNair because their defense is laterally quick. Miami would probably rather play O'Donnell because he doesn't move around at all, but they don't mind playing McNair because they are a great pursuing team.

Wycheck needs to have a big game. The last few years, he has been Tennessee's most consistent receiver. For him to play well, it will take some strong running from George and Lorenzo Neal. The Titans are using George more on passing downs than ever before. They used to be dogged for their lack of innovation. But now the Titans like to push the ball down the field, run McNair on draws and throw to George out of the backfield. They will try to do all three against the Dolphins.

The Titans play a defensive style similar to the Dolphins, nearly a mirror image. Kearse, Blaine Bishop and Marcus Robertson can all run, and Jason Fisk is physical up front. Miami might have a faster defense, and Tennessee is a little more stout, but the Titans also have an aggressive, chance-taking secondary. The Titans will challenge the Dolphins receivers with single coverage, to concentrate on the Dolphins running game and to force Huard to make the decisive plays through the air. Everything on the Dolphins offense is predicated on the running game. If the Titans win on first down and keep the Dolphins in long-yardage situations, they can run every blitz package in their playbook to both confuse and bother Huard, who is still a young, inexperienced quarterback.

Dolphins' game plan:
With Marino still out of the lineup, the onus is on the Miami offense to establish a running game. One thing that Huard can do that Marino can't is run. He has decent mobility, although he is not as mobile as McNair.

Collins and Johnson need to be effective running the ball. I believe the Dolphins' plan should be to run at Kearse. I know what he can do rushing the passer, but he needs to prove as a rookie that he can defend the run as well. At this time last year, all the rookie players would nearly be done with their regular college football seasons. So they need to test Kearse to see how fresh his legs really are. If they can establish the run, Huard will be in a much better position to make plays to his receivers downfield.

The Dolphins defense will work everything on the perimeter, getting a strong outside rush to make McNair step up in the pocket. Don't be surprised if they keep someone around the line of scrimmage, like a spy, to make sure McNair can't hurt them with his mobility. The Dolphins play a lot of man-to-man coverage and believe cornerbacks Madison and Buckley can beat any receiver. Expect Miami's corners to play in the face of Dyson and Thigpen.

In order to stall Tennessee, though, the Dolphins must stop George. Even though George has been inconsistent and the Titans have killed teams with the pass, the Dolphins still need to make George their focal point and force McNair to beat them with his arm and decision-making.

The Titans will blitz Huard to death and force him to make bad decisions. You can't let any young quarterback sit back comfortably in the pocket and play catch with his receivers. The Titans need to force him to make decisions quicker than he wants to. Also, Tennessee must make sure Collins doesn't cut loose. Tennessee needs to focus on the run and make Huard beat them through the air.

Pivotal Player:
Huard. He might have pretty good feet, but he needs to show the Titans that he can beat them with his arm. Every team knows Marino can beat them through the air, but Huard's ability is still unproven.