Titans receiver Yancey Thigpen faces a big challenge from the Dolphins secondary.

In other words, two teams that win games by one point, two points, three points or because someone else's kicker misses a makeable field goal in the final seconds.

This is a game the schedulemakers made an afterthought, putting it on Sunday night television instead of its national Monday night showcase.

Miami is favored by three, taking into account the game is in Miami. The Dolphins' quarterback remains Damon Huard instead of Dan Marino, and their two most potent weapons are defense and field goal kicker Olindo Mare.

Then there's Tennessee, which jumped all over previously unbeaten St. Louis last week, running up a quick 21-0 lead. The Titans gave almost all of it back, winning 24-21 only because Jeff Wilkins missed a 38-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.

But that's the norm for the Titans (and the NFL). All but one of their wins has been by three points or less, and their loss was by two points.

For the third week in a row ... Titans 24, Dolphins 21

Dallas (off) at Minnesota (Monday night): The "off" is for Troy Aikman's status. The "on" is the Vikings, whose two consecutive wins with Jeff George at quarterback has raised the confidence level. "We're very, very close to being a very, very good football team," Cris Carter says. Dallas isn't, even with Aikman. Vikings 27, Cowboys 11.

St. Louis (minus 3) at Detroit: Even in losing, the Rams got enough respect to be favored on the road against a winning team. Rams 30, Lions 21.

Baltimore (minus 3) at Cleveland: Art Modell's not going. Good thing. The Browns are on a roll. Browns 8, Ravens 7.

Buffalo (plus 4) at Washington: Dan Snyder note: If Doug Flutie pulls this one out for the Bills, you can't can Brad Johnson and sign Flutie. The NFL doesn't work that way. Redskins 27, Bills 20.

Kansas City (plus 3½) at Indianapolis: Another unanticipated good matchup. Kansas City D vs. Indy O. Colts 24, Chiefs 16.

Denver (plus 1) at San Diego: The way the Chargers have been turning over the ball, they might have needed the suspended Ryan Leaf against the banged-up Broncos. But leave it to the defense. Chargers 9, Broncos 5.

Pittsburgh (plus 3) at San Francisco: A marquee matchup that's not. Even Kordell Stewart can throw against the Niners. Steelers 20, 49ers 10.

Jacksonville (minus 6) at Atlanta: Is this like college football's Georgia-Florida rivalry? Jaguars 30, Falcons 14.

Chicago (off) at Green Bay: Brett Favre takes it out on the sinking Bears. Packers 28, Bears 6.

Arizona (plus 7) at New York Jets: Rick Mirer vs. Dave Brown in Brown's return to the scene of his early crimes. Jets 12, Cardinals 6.

Tampa Bay (minus 3½) at New Orleans: Eric Zeier's arm isn't strong enough for a third straight "Hail Mary" against the Saints. But the defense is strong enough to win. Bucs 10, Saints 9.

Cincinnati (plus 14) at Seattle: The Bengals are one of the truly predictable teams this season. Seahawks 37, Bengals 3.

Philadelphia (plus 4½) at Carolina: Call them the spunky little Eagles. Eagles 13, Panthers 10.

Last week: 9-4-1 (spread); 10-4 (straight up). Season: 53-56-5 (spread); 70-44 (straight up).