Titans at Panthers
THE STORY: The Tennessee Titans aren't out of the AFC South race – they're 1 1/2 games behind Houston – but they don't have much margin for error, meaning they'll likely need a win Sunday at Carolina to stay in the title race. The Panthers are the only team with a losing record among Tennessee's next five opponents. The Panthers are coming off a bye week and have lost four of their last five games.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Panthers -3.5, O/U 46
ABOUT THE TITANS (4-4): The Titans' offense has been a disappointment, mostly because of RB Chris Johnson's precipitous drop-off. Johnson has only 366 rushing yards and one touchdown after rushing for an NFL-best 4,598 yards and 34 touchdowns in his first three seasons. QB Matt Hasselbeck is expected to play despite an injured right thumb, but he could be without his top target, as WR Nate Washington (hip) is questionable. Washington leads the Titans with 36 catches for 461 yards.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (2-6): Carolina has found itself in plenty of close games – six of its eight games have been decided by seven points or less – but hasn't been able to pull out many victories. Much of that can be attributed to rookie QB Cam Newton, who has put up big numbers but hasn't yet learned to close out games. Newton's seven rushing touchdowns are tied with Vince Young for the most by a rookie quarterback since 1970. Newton has made a quick connection with WR Steve Smith, who leads the NFC with 918 receiving yards on 46 catches and has five 100-yard games.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Tennessee has won 12 of its past 13 games against NFC opponents.
2. Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams needs 17 receiving yards to become the first player in franchise history with more than 4,000 rushing yards and more than 1,000 receiving yards.
3. Johnson needs 36 rushing yards to join Eddie George and Earl Campbell as the only players in franchise history with 5,000 career rushing yards.