Tennessee must throttle Detroit's sixth-rated passing offense

The Tennessee Titans likely know how the Detroit Lions feel about now.

But don't expect any sympathy. Winless teams are dangerous teams.

The Titans travel to Detroit Sunday to battle the Lions on the Astro Turf of the Silverdome. Winless at 0-4, for the first time since 1989, Detroit is in last place in the NFC Central.

Tennessee has looked in the same mirror.

Just a week ago, prior to taking on the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Titans were 0-3 and riding the bottom rung in the AFC Central. Tennessee bested the Bucs, 31-28, in overtime.

Detroit, meanwhile, lost 31-26 to the Minnesota Vikings, but may have gained some momentum by outscoring the Vikings 13-0 in the final stanza and nearly pulling out a win after trailing 31-6. Plus, quarterback Charlie Batch returned from a first-game injury and had a big day.

Steve McNair, who sat out a game with a bum shoulder, enjoyed his best effort of the season so far in guiding the Titans. He was steady and in control throughout in compiling 230 yards in the air on 15-of-23 passing, with one interception. He ran for a touchdown, passed for another, flung a two-point conversion, while gaining 54 yards on nine carries.

Titans running back Eddie George arose from three sub-standard performances to show signs of his old self, especially in the second half when he stormed for 60 yards on 10 carries.

The Lions appear settled in the backfield with James Stewart. He carried 16 times for a season-high 108 yards against the Vikes. While he's not likely to cause anyone to forget Barry Sanders, he has rushed for 306 yards on the year and has a beefy 5.2 yards per carry average. Stewart is also a valuable receiver.

In running the Lions' new version of the West Coast offense, Batch was 31-of-41 for a career-best 345 yards, with three touchdown throws and no interceptions. Detroit's heavy emphasis toward the passing game is no secret. The stats bear it out. Led by top receivers Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell, they rank sixth among all NFL teams in average passing yards per game (245), and ninth in total offense (337.5 ypg.).

Anything close to those offensive numbers could give the Titans problems. Tennessee ranks 30th in passing defense (242.4 ypg.). No pass-catcher has emerged as the go-to man for the Titans. Derrick Mason has been slowed with an injury. Mason was still suffering from a high ankle sprain last Sunday and did not play. He is expected to be ready this go-round. Rookies Justin McCareins and Drew Bennett played big roles against Tampa Bay, and Kevin Dyson showed improvement. Unfortunately for McCareins, a fractured ankle has placed him on the injured list with yet another rookie, wide receiver Eddie Berlin (separated shoulder).

Similarities end when it comes to statistics relating to the football equivalent of the basketball slam-dunk -- the sack department. Detroit blitzers bagged Vikings quarterback Duante Culpepper six times last week. They have 16 throwdowns for the season, led by left defensive end Robert Porcher's five. The Titans have five in all, topped by Jevon Kearse's two. Tampa Bay seemed especially determined in slowing Kearse in all ways imaginable. In 26 rushes, Kearse faced man-on-man just four times.

Injuries at depth and in playmaker roles could tilt the balance for either team.

A big loss for the Lions is Pro Bowl middle linebacker Stephen Boyd, out with a back injury. Veteran pass-grabber Herman Moore is out for the season after sustaining a hip injury against Minnesota.

Tennessee's secondary is battered.

Pro-Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle is idle for the Titans. He sustained a neck injury in a game-three loss to the Ravens. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher moved strong safety Blaine Bishop, another Pro-Bowler, to free safety against Tampa Bay, allowing Aric Morris to take Bishop's spot, unseating rookie Joe Walker. Fisher said it had nothing to do with Walker's play. Instead, he said, it allowed for better communication and guaranteed having the best players on the field. Fisher said the move is permanent. Bishop, though, sprained a foot and did not play much in the second half, creating even more shuffling. He is expected to see duty Sunday, though he is listed as questionable. Rookie Andre Dyson, fully recovered from a broken toe, played well. The Titans at times had four people in the secondary during crucial situations who were either not on the team or were not starters last year. Safety Bobby Myers and cornerback Dainon Sidney are previous casualties, both lost for the season with knee injuries

While Tennessee had to scramble with a makeshift group of defenders last week, Detroit's secondary is just as depleted. In the first half against the Vikings, they lost two defensive backs to injuries -- Ron Rice (ankle) and Terry Fair (strained foot) -- after previously losing two safeties and a cornerback.

A loss just might bury Coach Marty Mornhinweg's Lions.

A defeat would certainly cripple the Titans who, even with last week's win, have not fixed all their problems. Penalties are still a big bugaboo, along with an ever-mounting injury list, and the question of whether McNair and George are ready to up their status as visible team leaders to a consistent level expected of a unit with playoff ambitions.

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