Titans should extend win streak this week, but why am I so nervous?

The Tennessee Titans travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs in a game that appears to be a mismatch. The Titans are rolling at 5-0 while the Chiefs have been one of the worst teams in the NFL while struggling to a 1-4 record.

The Titans main strength is their running game while the Chiefs rank near the bottom of the league in defending the run. Advantage: Titans. Additionally, Chiefs' running back Larry Johnson has been suspended for the game. This would seem to favor the Titans as well, but Johnson rushed for only two yards in the Chiefs last game.

Both teams are coming off a bye week which is a little unusual. The bye came at a bad time for the Titans because they had been rolling. The bye probably came at a good time for the Chiefs because the weary often need rest.

Everything points to a Titans' win, but I've felt uneasy about this game all week. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it is because the Chiefs have one of the best home field advantages in the league.

Nevertheless, I'm going with the Titans.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Kansas City 13

Other picks: Chicago over Minnesota, New York Giants over San Francisco, Dallas over St. Louis, Tampa Bay over Seattle, San Diego over Buffalo

Last week: 2-3 (.400), Overall 20-14 (.588)

Can the Tennessee Titans stand prosperity?

The Tennessee Titans have a bye week this week, and so far, the season couldn't have gone any better. They've posted a 5-0 record while the rest of the teams in the AFC South have struggled. The Indianapolis Colts are in second place, but they have two losses.

Next week, the Titans return to action with a game at Kansas City, which is only 1-4 and has a terrible offense. However, the following week, the Colts come to Nashville for the biggest game of the season so far.

The big question to be answered is: How will the quarterback situation unfold? Vince Young is getting healthier and will likely be ready for the Chiefs game. Coach Jeff Fisher has indicated that he will stick with Kerry Collins as long as he is winning. How will this go over with Young? Will it cause dissension on the team? Will the players take sides?

There are lots of questions to be answered, but I believe I will pause this week and enjoy the fact that the Titans are unbeaten. All those other questions will be answered soon enough.

This week's picks: New Orleans over Oakland, Philadelphia over San Francisco, Dallas over Arizona, New England over San Diego, Washington over St. Louis

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 18-11 (.621)

Titans' playoff hopes on life support this week against Chiefs

Last week's collapse against the Chargers was one for the books. Blowing a 14-point lead at home in the fourth quarter is simply inexcusable. It would be easy to give up regarding a playoff berth at this point, but I'm going to cling to the hope that they still have a chance.

Right now, the Browns hold the last playoff spot in the AFC, and the Titans trail them by one game. Only three games remain, so the Titans will likely have to win out and get some help from other teams to steal the final playoff spot.

This week, the Titans travel to Kansas City to play a Chiefs' team that is in disarray. They are 4-9 and have lost six in a row. Stud running back Larry Johnson has missed several games with an injury while their quarterback play, whether it be Brodie Croyle or Damon Huard, scares nobody.

Kansas City has hard core football fans, and they make it one of the toughest places to play in the league. Plus, it is supposed to be really cold Sunday, and the Titans haven't had any experience playing in low temperatures this year.

At this point, fans can't expect much production from the Titans' offense. The defense will have to carry the team so expect a low scoring, defensive slugfest.

I'm betting that the Chiefs have given up and are playing out the string. I'm also betting that the Titans won't have too much of a letdown after last week's emotional loss.

The pick: Tennessee 14 Kansas City 13

Other NFL picks: Indianapolis over Oakland, Pittsburgh over Jacksonville, Cleveland over Buffalo, New England over New York Jets, New York Giants over Washington, Dallas over Philadelphia

Last week: 4-1 (.800), Overall: 118-40 (.746)