Ed Barkowitz: Eagles face major test against Titans' Chris Johnson

THE EAGLES have done a pretty good job against the run the last couple of weeks, but that is sure to be tested Sunday.

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and his players get their first look at Tennessee's Chris Johnson, the most dangerous running back in the NFL and a friend to fantasy owners worldwide.

"He's unlike any back I've seen," McDermott said. "He's explosive. He's quick . . . If he's not the best, he's close to the top in the league."

Johnson is coming off a monster 2009, when he became the sixth player to rush for 2,000 yards and set the NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage. After a choppy start to this season, when his rushing total in the Titans' first four games ranged from 34 to 142 yards, Johnson has run for 131 and 111 yards, respectively, in his previous two games. He trails Houston's Arian Foster by only 39, but says the rushing title is not his focus.

"That's a goal of mine, but it's not like I go into games thinking about winning the [rushing] title," he said. "It's all about [the team] winning. If I'm running for a lot of yards, then I'm doing my job and helping my team win."

Johnson, from East Carolina, was the fifth running back taken - and third in a row - when the Titans nabbed him with the 24th pick in 2008. Those taken ahead of him were Darren McFadden (fourth overall, ugh), Jonathan Stewart (13th), Felix Jones (22nd) and Rashard Mendenhall (23rd).

Johnson already has 11 plays of 50-plus yards in his career, including two 60-plus pass receptions. This season, he has touchdown runs of 76 and 35 yards and a pair of runs that went 42.

"This running back is special," McDermott continued, "and as soon as you think you have him stopped, he cuts it back and he hits a seam, and he's off to the races."

POSITION WATCH

Quarterbacks: Brett Favre makes his second start as an opponent at Lambeau Field when the Vikings visit the Packers Sunday night. Last year, he threw for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no picks at Green Bay. His elbow tendinitis does not seem to be as problematic as it was earlier in the week. But given his age (41), please be sure to have a reliable backup . . . . After watching the Jaguars fold like a lawn chair against the Titans on Sunday, Matt Cassel deserves consideration for a spot start when Kansas City hosts Jacksonville.

Running backs: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wants to cut down on Rashard Mendenhall's workload. The third-year back is averaging 23.5 carries, but now that Ben Roethlisberger is back at quarterback, Pittsburgh could be less predictable . . . Joseph Addai could miss a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury, which would put Donald Brown and Mike Hart in line to get most of the carries when the Colts come off their bye.

Wide receivers: Rams rookie Danario Alexander, who debuted Sunday with four catches, including a diving play for a 38-yard touchdown, is a popular waiver-wire pickup this week. Alexander, who once started ahead of Jeremy Maclin at Missouri, mangled his knee at the Senior Bowl and went undrafted . . . Robert Meachem had four catches and a touchdown for the Saints in each of the last 2 weeks and warrants consideration as a third wide receiver Sunday against the visiting Browns . . . San Diego has an otherwise tasty matchup Sunday against the Patriots defense (29th in passing), but it could be tough for Philip Rivers and the boys. The Chargers are expected to be without No. 1 receiver Malcom Floyd and possibly No. 2 Legedu Naanee. Both have hamstring problems and tight end Antonio Gates is fighting a toe injury. Buster Davis, a 2007 first-round pick, has shown a pulse the last two games and even scored his second career touchdown last week. Just can't get away from all these guys named "Buster" . . . Carolina's Steve Smith practiced yesterday and should play Sunday against the 49ers.FANTASY ISLAND

Contest of the week: How many rushing yards will Chris Johnson rack up against the Eagles? One reader who comes closest to his total will win a Daily News fantasy football T-shirt. In the event of a tie, one winner will be chosen at random. Send guesses to fantasyfootball@phillynews.com or fax to 215-854-5524 by noon Sunday. One entry per customer, and please include your hometown.

Stat Watch

* Cincinnati's Terrell Owens is one away from becoming the fifth player with 150 career touchdowns. Jerry Rice (208), Emmitt Smith (175), LaDainian Tomlinson (158) and Randy Moss (152) are the others. He has 11 touchdowns against the Falcons, Sunday's opponent. The only team he scorched more is the Saints (12).

* Chad Henne has a better completion percentage, more yards per attempt and a better passer rating in the Dolphins' two losses combined than he does in their three wins combined. Strange.

* New Orleans hosts Cleveland, which is good news for Drew Brees. The Saints quarterback has won eight in a row against AFC teams, with 15 TDs, four picks and an average of 280.5 yards per.

* Steven Jackson needs 32 rushing yards to break the Rams franchise record held by Eric Dickerson, who needed 65 games to run for 7,245 yards (111.5 average) and score 58 total touchdowns. Jackson has 7,214 yards in 90 games (80.2 average) and 50 touchdowns. Advantage, Dickerson.

* Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald is averaging 8.8 catches and 113.5 yards in his last four games against Seattle. He hasn't cracked 100 yards yet this season, but Fitzgerald had seven catches in three of his previous four. The Seahawks are 30th against the pass.

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Ed Barkowitz, who knew the Raiders were nuts the moment they took Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in 2008, has been writing about fantasy football for the Daily News since 2001. Send e-mail to fantasyfootball@phillynews.com.