The Tennessee Titans are the only unbeaten team, so it's obligatory that they act like underdogs.

Even though they are favored by four points in Monday's meeting with Indianapolis, they don't view the game that way.

"A lot of people still don't respect us and feel like we haven't played top-notch talent in the league yet," safety Chris Hope says. "They're still not sure about how good we are, and what better way to show them than on Monday night football against Peyton Manning and the Colts, one of the premier teams in the league."

Actually, the Colts aren't so premier, a pedestrian 3-3, with their chances for a sixth straight AFC South title frittering away. Even if they beat the Titans, they will remain two games behind, with a wild-card berth their best shot at the postseason.

Winning will be hard for Indy.

The Titans ran for 332 yards in last week's 34-10 win over Kansas City and the Colts have historically had problems stopping the run, especially when safety Bob Sanders is injured, as he is right now. This week, they rank 28th of 32 teams in yards rushing allowed.

But the Colts' problems go beyond stopping the run.

Manning missed almost all of the preseason recovering from two surgical procedures on his left knee. He had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in a 34-14 loss to Green Bay and currently ranks 21st in the NFL in passer rating behind the likes of Kyle Orton, Matt Cassel and rookie Matt Ryan.

One of the passers below Peyton is Tennessee's Kerry Collins.

But the Titans don't ask him to win the game, only manage it by handing off to LenDale White and Chris Johnson.

So if Tennessee doesn't have respect now, it should have it after this game.

TITANS 24-17

TAMPA BAY (+2 1/2) AT DALLAS

Tony Romo will sit for another week and Brad Johnson will be the quarterback again.

BUCS 23-17

NEW YORK GIANTS (+3) AT PITTSBURGH

The first time all season that the Super Bowl champs have been underdogs. Justifiably, given their cupcake early-season schedule.

STEELERS 19-17

SAN DIEGO (-3) VS. NEW ORLEANS

Drew Brees against his former mates in a game between two struggling sides.

CHARGERS 45-44

ARIZONA (+4 1/2) AT CAROLINA

The Panthers are 4-0 at home. The Cardinals are 1-2 on the road although they remain in good shape to win a division title for the first time since 1975.

PANTHERS 27-18

ATLANTA (+9) AT PHILADELPHIA

Matt Ryan has had more problems on the road than at home, but he comes from the Philadelphia area.

EAGLES 22-17

BUFFALO (-1 1/2) AT MIAMI

The Wildcat offensive scheme's shelf life is expiring.

BILLS 17-13

ST. LOUIS (+7) AT NEW ENGLAND

Jim Haslett can't work magic every week.

PATRIOTS 23-13

WASHINGTON (-7) AT DETROIT

The Lions have been outscored 54-0 in first quarters.

REDSKINS 54-0

CLEVELAND (+6 1/2) AT JACKSONVILLE

The Jaguars can run, the Browns can't stop it.

JAGUARS 27-10

SEATTLE (+4 1/2) AT SAN FRANCISCO

The 49ers hope they can play for their new coach. The Seattle injuries are more likely to decide this one.

49ERS 24-11

OAKLAND (+6 1/2) AT BALTIMORE

Head coach Tom Cable got lucky last week.

RAVENS 19-9

KANSAS CITY (+13) AT NEW YORK JETS

Head coach Herm Edwards returns with Tyler Thigpen at quarterback.

JETS 34-0

CINCINNATI (+9 1/2) AT HOUSTON

The Texans, favored by nine, couldn't cover last week against Detroit.

TEXANS 32-23

Last week: 6-7-1 (line); 10-4 (straight)

Season: 53-47-2 (line); 60-42 (straight)




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