TONIGHT

Dallas (5-10) at Tennessee (12-3)

6, Channel 7

* The line: Off.

* Story line: The Titans need a victory to lock up the AFC Central as well as home-field advantage through the playoffs. The Cowboys have a 5-4 lead in what was once the “Battle of Texas”--when the Titans were the Houston Oilers.

* Keys to the game: The running game: Both teams feature outstanding backs and prefer to set up play action with the running game. Unfortunately for Dallas, the comparison ends there as the Titans’ Eddie George should shred the undermanned Cowboy defense. Emmitt Smith will probably have to wait until next season to gain the 124 yards he needs to overtake Barry Sanders (15,269 yards) for second all-time. Titan defense: It will go with eight men in the box against the Cowboys, challenging rookie QB Anthony Wright to beat them with his arm. This is a recipe for disaster as Dallas simply doesn’t have the horses to run anything other than a simple passing scheme against the best pass defense in the NFL. The Titans have surrendered only two touchdowns in the last 20 quarters.

* Injury report: DAL--QB Troy Aikman (concussion, out). TEN--None.

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COMPARISON DAL TEN Points scored 19.6 (20) 21.0 (13) Points allowed 22.0 (20) 12.7 (2) Passing Off. 174.5 (26) 203.3 (18) Rushing Off. 128.0 (11) 128.4 (11) Passing Def. 167.9 (T3) 160.9 (1) Rushing Def. 169.9 (31) 86.9 (4) Time of Poss. 29:24 (21) 33:51 (1) Turnover Ratio -13 (28) -1 (T17) Red Zone TD% 48.9 (15) 48.0 (17)

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* The pick: Tennessee. With an inferior opponent, a rabid Adelphia Stadium crowd, and home-field advantage on the line, this game has all the tell-tale signs of a blowout.