WHEN NEW ENGLAND HAS THE BALL

It'll be interesting to see how long quarterback Tom Brady remains in the game. He took a hard shot to the back last Sunday in Jacksonville and with the Patriots already clinching a playoff berth, it's likely backup QB Matt Cassel will be in the game at some point. Maybe veteran Vinny Testaverde will see some action, too. . . . The Patriots want to produce a solid offensive attack in preparation for the postseason, so the running game will probably be the main focus today. Tennessee enters the game with the worst-ranked defense in the league.

ADVANTAGE: New England

WHEN TENNESSEE HAS THE BALL

Vince Young is one of the more exciting quarterbacks in the league. The rookie out of Texas has the unique ability to throw and run effectively. He's been one of the main reasons the Titans have rebounded from a 0-5 start and have won six straight games. . . . The Titans boost the fifth-ranked rush offense in the league, but New England has the sixth-ranked defense, so it should be an interesting matchup. . . . Tennessee running back Travis Henry leads the team with 1,109 yards on 249 carries, including seven touchdowns.

ADVANTAGE: New England

SPECIAL TEAMS

The special-teams units are similar. In fact, this game could be decided by special teams. Patriots' rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski has emerged has a consistent threat. He's nailed 16 of his last 18 field-goal attempts, the longest being a 52-yarder against Chicago on Nov. 26. Today's game could come down to his ability to hit a late one. . . . Titans kicker Rob Bironas has had a solid second season in the NFL. He's 19-for-24 in field-goal attempts, including a 60-yarder and four game-winners. . . . Tennessee punter Craig Hentrich, a 13-year pro and two-time Pro-Bowl selection, is averaging 42.8 yards on 84 punts this season. The veteran has also dropped 31 punts within the opponent's 20-yard line. New England punter Todd Sauerbrun, a 12-year pro, will be working only his second game of the season today. He was marginal in his debut last weekend in Jacksonville. Because of a solid Tennessee running game, Sauerbrun will need to keep the Titans on a long field.

ADVANTAGE: Tennessee

COACHING

This is probably one of the more interesting coaching matchups this season -- the Titans' Jeff Fisher and the Patriots' Bill Belichick. The two have respect for each other, and today should be a classic chess match. Too bad it's the season finale. Fisher has been the sideline sergeant for 12 seasons and enters today's game with a 110-96 record. Belichick, in his 32nd year as a coach in the league, won his 100th game earlier this season. Fisher has done some impressive things with a young team this season, but it's December and this is when Belichick is at his best.

ADVANTAGE: New England

INTANGIBLES

Just because the Patriots have already clinched a division title, and a postseason berth, don't expect a lackluster performance. If New England wins, and Indianapolis loses to Miami, the Pats will earn the third seed and host the sixth seed in the first round. If not, New England keeps its fourth seed and will host the fifth seed. . . . In order to keep their postseason hopes alive, the Titans must win today. . . . Cassel may give New England an inside edge today since Titans offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, coached the Patriots' backup QB for three seasons at USC. . . . Titans wide receiver David Givens will not have a chance to play against his former team. He was placed on injured reserve last month due to a knee injury. He played four seasons for the Patriots. . . . The Titans can become the first team in NFL history to start the season 0-5 and finish with a 9-7 record.

ADVANTAGE: Tennessee