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Eagles-Titans Preview

Oct 21, 2010 - 10:50 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

The Philadelphia Eagles' Kevin Kolb is doing his best to settle any looming quarterback controversy before Michael Vick returns from injury. The Tennessee Titans, meanwhile, are hoping to have at least one healthy passer for this week's game.

In a matchup of teams tied for first in their divisions, Kolb will try to lead the visiting Eagles to the third win in as many starts and keep the Titans from their third consecutive victory Sunday.

Kolb was named the starter coming out of training camp but was replaced by Vick after suffering a concussion in a season-opening loss to Green Bay.

Vick started the next three games but a rib injury forced him to leave after the first quarter of a 17-12 defeat to Washington on Oct. 3. In Vick's absence, Kolb has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 780 yards and five touchdowns.

Despite his recent success, Kolb is still taking things week by week as a starter.

"That's the mentality for both of us and for our team," Kolb said. "I think it helps you honestly. You just focus on your opponent for that week. When you do that, you don't miss very many details."

In last week's 31-17 victory over Atlanta, Kolb was 23 of 29 for a season-high 326 yards and three TDs, but the Eagles (4-2) lost wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a scary collision after he scored the game's first two touchdowns.

Jackson, who suffered a concussion on the hit from Dunta Robinson, is expected to sit out this week. Robinson drew a $50,000 fine from the NFL for the play.

With Jackson out, the Eagles could rely again on Jeremy Maclin, who had career highs of seven receptions for 159 yards and two TDs against the Falcons. Philadelphia could use another strong performance as it tries to break a tie with the New York Giants in the NFC East.

"That's the thing about us," Maclin said. "We're going to be us no matter what. We're going to be who we are. We're going to throw the football, run the football and continue to attack and continue to look for big plays no matter what personnel we have in there."

The Titans (4-2) are hoping to have either Vince Young or Kerry Collins available for Sunday's game.

Young left early in Monday night's 30-3 rout of Jacksonville, and tests showed a mild sprain in his left knee. He also has a sprained ankle.

"It's basically day to day still and making that decision on Sunday," Young said after not practicing Thursday. "So right now I mean just continue to keep treating it and pretty much do some things tomorrow to see how it feels."

Collins, who was 11 of 16 for 110 yards and a touchdown Monday, did practice Thursday despite an ailing middle finger on his throwing hand.

With its quarterbacks banged up, Tennessee could lean heavily on All-Pro running back Chris Johnson as it tries to break a three-way tie for the AFC South lead.

Johnson is well behind last season's 2,000-yard pace but remains second in the NFL with 596 rushing yards and has a league-best seven TDs on the ground.

The Titans will also try to benefit from the league's best pass rush. Tennessee has 24 sacks, while Philadelphia has given up the second-most in the NFL at 20.

"They have a good pass rush, and they're aggressive all over the field," Kolb said. "We'll have to match that."

Former Eagle Jason Babin leads the Titans with six sacks. Dave Ball has five, and another former Eagle, Will Witherspoon, has three.

"(I have) a lot of respect for both of those guys," coach Andy Reid said of his former players. "Babin is a high-motor, high-energy, loves to play the game (and) loved having him here last year. Really, I enjoyed him as a person and as a player. And the same way with (Witherspoon)."

Philadelphia won all six of its meetings with the Houston Oilers but has dropped its three games against the Titans, including its only trip to LP Field in 2002.