Colts say McNair has their attention

The undefeated Colts might be tempted to look past Sunday’s game against a 3-8 team that just snapped a five-game skid. But then they think of McNair, who is just a season removed from sharing the MVP award with the Colts’ Peyton Manning.

McNair has had plenty of success as a quarterback against the Colts, leading the Titans past Indianapolis in the 1999 playoffs on the way to their only Super Bowl appearance. Tennessee later beat Indianapolis twice in 2002 on its way to the AFC South title and tied the Colts for the division title in 2003.

“Steve McNair is still Steve McNair,” Colts safety Mike Doss said. “He’s a great athlete. He makes plays.”

In six regular season starts against the Colts, McNair has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,185 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Manning said McNair has made the matchup special.

“When you think about the Tennessee Titans, you certainly think about Steve McNair,” Manning said. “Our defense knows every time we play the Titans what kind of challenge they’re in for.”

The Titans have struggled for much of the season, but McNair lately has shown the form that made him co-MVP in 2003. In a loss to Jacksonville two weeks ago, he completed 67 percent of his passes for 210 yards and two TDs. Last Sunday, he completed 23-of-41 passes for 343 yards and three TDs in a 33-22 win over San Francisco.

“Lately, they’ve been putting up a lot of points,” Doss said. “They’ve been in some close ballgames, and they got a big win against San Francisco last week. Steve McNair’s going to do what he’s been doing for 11 years, and that’s making plays.”

The Colts (11-0) are tied for second in the league in sacks, but they know that getting their hands on McNair won’t be easy.

“He’s a quarterback who can move around and certainly get his team going and make a lot of things happen,” linebacker Cato June said. “We have to be honed in and making sure we’re getting a lot of pressure on him.”

Wide receiver Drew Bennett’s return from a surgically repaired left thumb has sparked McNair’s re-emergence. In the two games Bennett has played in since the injury, he has 11 catches for 107 yards and the Titans have scored 61 points.

“Without Drew, we didn’t have any experience because we were without Tyrone Calico as well,” Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said. “So we were left with the three rookie receivers. It’s tough to go into games with three receivers, let alone three rookie receivers.”

Another reason McNair has regained his form is relatively good health. He’s only missed one game this season because of injury. Last season, he missed eight games with an injured sternum.

“He’s had a good year, compared to last year in terms of staying on the practice fields and playing the games,” Fisher said.

It might be the last chance Colts fans have to cheer against one of their toughest opponents. The 32-year-old McNair has made daring efforts to run the ball throughout his career and the punishment has taken its toll.

“Steve, I think, is going to see how he finishes up and how he feels physically and make a decision,” Fisher said. “I expect him, like I did last year, to come back. I think he’s got a couple more good years left in him.”