The Titans have played with fire all season. Funny thing is, they've won. At 10-0, the Titans have walked through a minefield. With narrow wins over Green Bay (19-16) and Chicago (21-14) in recent weeks, the Titans have avoided blowing up.

Maybe today's the day. Leave it to Brett Favre, the New York Jets quarterback who is proving he still belongs in the big time at age 39. Due to injuries, Tennessee will be without three cornerbacks, including a pair of starters. A loss wouldn't affect Tennessee's playoff hopes. The Titans have all but sewn up the AFC South, with a four-game lead over Indianapolis. What teams' playoff hopes are less than clear? The Tribune presents a look at the NFL's stretch run. For more on the run, see S3.

No, they won't catch the Titans in the AFC South (they're four games back headed into today). But the Colts' schedule is almost four straight bye weeks. They get the lackluster Chargers today, then face punching bags Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit and Jacksonville, in succession. By the time the Colts get to a late-season game with Tennessee, Indianapolis could have its wild-card spot sewn up and be able to rest the starters. You have been warned.

Brett Favre and the Jets will try to spoil the Titans' perfect record today.

I'm sorry. Really, I am. I've avoided writing about Brett Favre as much as possible this year, but Favre could be the key to who comes out of the AFC to play for the Super Bowl. That's because Favre can be a great complement or detriment. The Packers know. While he is beloved for leading the Packers to a pair of Super Bowls (and one title), Favre also helped cost his team a spot in the finale last year. Favre had a pair of interceptions against the Giants, including one late in the game during a 23-20 loss in the NFC title game.

OLD MAN MVP

Kurt Warner, Arizona

At age 37, Warner is showing that maybe the last six seasons really were aberrations. With a little bit of talent around him, Warner is once again picking apart defenses. Warner is completing 70.9 percent of his passes. He has 20 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. And the Cardinals are running away with the NFC West.

Tennessee players like kicker Rob Bironas, left, and Craig Hentrich have helped the Titans all but clinch the AFC South. Will they make it to the Super Bowl? It seems likely.

THANK YOU, SCHEDULE-MAKER

TIE: Jets/Dolphins

These above-.500 AFC East teams should have an inside track to the playoffs. They can thank relatively weak schedules for that. The Jets have a date with the Titans this week, but then they get to beat up on Denver, San Francisco, Buffalo and Seattle before facing Miami in the last game of the season. The Dolphins' trek is similarly easy, with games against the Chiefs, 49ers and Rams still on the schedule.

SINKING SCHEDULE

Carolina; Remaining opponents: Atlanta, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Denver, New York Giants, New Orleans

The Panthers, at 8-2, aren't intimidated by anyone. But every opponent remaing on their schedule is over .500. With the Buccaneers a game behind in the South, it figures to be a fun run to the finish for Carolina.

If, and this is a big if, Pittsburgh catches fire, wins a few playoff games and finds itself in the Super Bowl, the Steelers can thank the defense. And, in particular, Troy Polamalu. He's already had five interceptions, which ties a career best. He has 37 solo tackles. He is used to blitz the quarterback and stop the run. As a result, the Steelers have allowed just 15 touchdowns this year. If you want to see a defender at the peak of his game, this is the year to watch Polamalu.

AFC WILD-CARD WATCH

Winners: Indianapolis, Miami

Picking the Colts is easy. Taking the Dolphins is another matter. Let's explain: The AFC has four teams seeking a wild-card berth at 6-4: Indianapolis, Miami, Baltimore and New England. The Colts are hot and Peyton Manning is healthy, so give one spot to Indianapolis. Throw Baltimore out because of a tough schedule and you're left with hot Miami and faltering New England. Miami plays the Chiefs, 49ers and Rams. If you're torn between the Dolphins and Patriots for the last spot, the schedule tips the decision to Miami.

NFC WILD-CARD WATCH

Winners: Dallas, Tampa Bay

The Bucs have the advantage of not playing in the NFC East, which should parlay nicely into a playoff berth (if they don't catch Carolina, which leads the South by a game). Dallas has the misfortune of being in the East, but the Cowboys have Tony Romo back and healthy. The 'Boys have beaten the Redskins and Bucs in two of their last three games, so they're on the comeback trail.

SUPER BOWL PICKS

Giants vs. Titans Winner: Giants

Sorry for the trendy picks, but really, try justifying the selection of anybody else here. There was a thought of picking the Colts as the up-and-comer, but the Titans' defense is simply too impressive. If somebody can bog down Tennessee's offense, it'll struggle. That's exactly what will happen if/when the Titans meet the Giants in the Super Bowl. They've been on the big stage before and New York will grind out a few scores while the defense keeps the Titans off the board.