Johnson - Titans phenomenon.
PATS LOOK BEST IN BIG SHOWDOWN
By David John
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Channel 5 have a storming live match this Sunday as New England travels to Indianapolis in what should be another classic to add to the history books.
Both are already looking like Super Bowl contenders once again with the Colts unbeaten this season and the Pats finding their stride and well in command of the AFC East on 6-2.
Both have fantastic records behind their respective quarterbacks of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
They are the only two franchises to have won more than 70 percent of their games since 2001 and have between them landed four of the last eight Super Bowls.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been fulsome in his praise of the Colts franchise and their consistency over the seasons in the build-up but I fully expect him to have the upper hand and end their current unbeaten record.
New England are still looking for a first 'genuine' road win of the campaign (they beat Tampa Bay at Wembley) but getting three points at the Lucas Oil Stadium makes them a tasty prospect.
The Colts may be 8-0 but they have shown signs of vulnerability in narrow wins over San Francisco and Houston.
The latter came within a missed field goal of taking them to overtime and although Manning has seven 300-yard games out of eight and new receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie seem to have fitted in nicely alongside Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, any weaknesses will be exposed by a team of the calibre of New England.
They themselves have overcome the loss of some defensive stalwarts but anchored by LB Jerod Mayo and DT Vince Wilfork have one again managed to slot in veterans to do a successful job - they are second in points allowed per game (14.4) - just behind Sunday's rivals (13.5).
The latter's secondary is an issue with safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Marlin Jackson both out for the season although Jacob Lacey and Melvyn Bullitt have not been disgraced with increased playing time.
But facing Randy Moss and Wes Welker is going to test their abilities to the full.
The money has come already in the handicap markets for the visitors and that looks well placed - I fancy them strongly with that field goal start.
Tennessee was one of the teams swept aside so far by New England in that infamous 59-0 rout in week six at Foxboro but the Titans have since shaken themselves and are looking for a third consecutive win.
Vince Young has come in ahead of Kerry Collins at quarterback and has been steady rather than prolific - just what they needed while letting the phenomenal Chris Johnson quite literally run wild on the ground.
He has 363 yards rushing and four touchdowns in his last two games to lead the NFL at the moment with 959 yards.
Throw into the mix a secondary that is getting healthy and has welcomed back Vincent Fuller and Cortleland Finnegan and you can see why Jeff Fisher's side are on the way back from a horror 0-6 start.
They host Buffalo, who had high expectations at the start of the season with the arrival of Terrell Owens as a marquee performer and the further development of quarterback Trent Edwards.
Neither have had the impact expected with Owens admitting the bar may have been set too high.
Edwards returns after missing a month with a concussion while three defensive starters - who have been forcing turnovers - will be missing from the line-up.
They don't look to have the ability currently to harness Johnson or the rejuvenated Titans and a start of 6.5 points does not look enough.
Final wager this week is a bit more speculative and is on the New York Jets as they try and get things back on track at home to Jacksonville.
Having looked a threat in the AFC East with a 3-0 start, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled with his new career in the NFL and they have lost four of their last five games.
Perhaps the bye week will have freshened them up and hosting a Jacksonville side that has lost three of their last four on the road should give the Jets a realistic chance to get things turned in the right direction once again.
Rookie head coach Rex Ryan, who was behind Baltimore's fearsome defence before taking a top job of his own, has thrown down the gauntlet to his defence by asking them to come up with some scoring plays of their own.
They certainly have the playmakers available - Kerry Rhodes, Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard and Lito Sheppard are all well capable of providing a touchdown threat if getting their hands on the ball.
A small stake on one or perhaps two defensive touchdowns from the Jets at 9/2 and 25/1 respectively could pay off.
Preview posted at 1710GMT on 13/11/2009
