1. Vince Young under center » When the owner wants you to do something, it doesn’t matter if you’re the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL. After closing practice to the public during their bye week, the Tennessee Titans (0-6) and head coach Jeff Fisher are coming out with a new look. Titans owner Bud Adams has favored Vince Young to start and he’ll get his wish this week against the Jaguars (3-3). For a guy who has had his mentality questioned in the past, the Jags are an interesting choice. Young faced Jacksonville in the last game he started (the 2008 opener) and he was picked off twice and limped off the field. He also has a TD-to-INT ratio of 3:8 vs. the Jags — so this will be an interesting experiment for the Titans. — Leon Saffelle

2. Favre’s Lambeau leap » OK, OK. We know you’ve overdosed on Brett Favre. But there’s no way his return to Lambeau Field doesn’t make this list. To mark the occasion, FOX will run a Favre Cam (no joke) — showing every move The Shameless One makes, even on the sidelines. No truth to the rumor that John Madden will jump out of a cake. So how will Favre be received? Considering it’s Wisconsin (and not Philadelphia, Boston or New York), expect Favre’s Frozen Tundra homecoming to be warm and fuzzy. After all, both parties are better off for the separation. In Minnesota, Favre is rejuvenated and thinking Super Bowl. In Green Bay, fans are satisfied that Aaron Rodgers is a worthy successor. And he’ll show it if someone from his inept offensive line finally throws a block. — Kevin Dunleavy

3. Is the Ravens’ season on the line? » A 3-0 start and the rediscovery of how to play offense had Charm City rolling and gushing over second-year quarterback Joe Flacco early in the year. But Baltimore has lost three straight since and finds itself not only behind Pittsburgh (5-2) but also upstart Cincinnati (5-1) in the AFC North. With an extremely tight battle for AFC Wild Card berths brewing, the Ravens had a bye week to look at the standings and realized they can ill afford to fall further back when they face also-rested and undefeated Denver at home this weekend. Baltimore still has Indianapolis, Green Bay, Cincy and two games against Pittsburgh remaining on its schedule. — Craig Stouffer

Upset special

49ers over Colts

San Francisco may not look like a playoff team after consecutive losses to Atlanta and Houston — especially after making a quarterback change last week. But the 49ers will hang with Indianapolis. Running back Frank Gore should be better in his second game back from an ankle injury and can attack the Colts’ smaller defensive line. Tight end Vernon Davis was a beast last week in a failed comeback attempt. This also is Alex Smith’s last shot to prove he is a capable NFL quarterback as he takes over for Shaun Hill. Smith has another weapon at his disposal. Top draft pick Michael Crabtree had five receptions for 56 yards in his first NFL game after a long contract dispute. — Brian McNally

Fantasy watch


Five to start

1. QB Matt Schaub » The Texans play caller is the top fantasy quarterback and has become a must start every week in all fantasy leagues.

2. RB Kevin Smith » In what promises to be an ugly game between the Lions and Rams, someone has to score. Why not Smith?

3. RB Ricky Williams » The Dolphins’ wildcat offense has flourished and Williams is a big reason why — averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season.

4. WR Donnie Avery » The Lions have allowed 17 passing touchdowns this season and Avery has scored two touchdowns in his last three games.

5. WR Lance Moore » Saints quarterback Drew Brees likes to spread the ball around and New Orleans is playing a Falcons’ defense that is in the bottom 10 in pass defense.

Five to sit

1. QB Brett Favre » Have you heard Brett’s heading back to Green Bay? It’s not the crowd that will bother Favre, it’s the Packers’ pass defense.

2. RB Willis McGahee » After scoring 7 TDs in four weeks, McGahee rushed for one yard on eight carries with one catch and no touchdowns the last two weeks.

3. RB Jonathan Stewart » The Panthers back averages under 10 carries a game and is facing the NFL’s top rush defense in Arizona.

4. WR Michael Crabtree » The rookie had a nice debut with 56 yards receiving, but he’s facing a good Colts’ passing defense this week.

5. WR Anquan Boldin » He has only one touchdown this season and might be limited with a right ankle injury on Sunday against the Panthers.

— Jeffrey Tomik

Game to watch

Giants at Eagles, 1 p.m., FOX

The NFC East was supposed to be the NFL’s best, but it’s taken some hits the past few weeks, in part because of New York’s two-game losing streak. That’s left the Giants just a half-game ahead of Philadelphia and Dallas. The Giants are banged up in the secondary, a troubling sign considering the Eagles’ big-play capabilities, particularly receiver DeSean Jackson. New York’s defense remains first in yards allowed, but 16th in points allowed. Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) might not play. A key matchup will be New York’s pass rush vs. the Eagles’ underperforming offensive line. Did we mention these two cities are going at it in the World Series as well? — John Keim

Examiner Power Rankings

— James Irwin