"Once we got behind, they went to that quite a lot," Martz said. "It's tough to throw into because a lot of the creases [in the passing lanes] are gone."
It also meant that the Titans could cover Faulk with a defensive back, not a linebacker. Faulk still rushed for 90 yards and caught six passes for 94 more.
"We have to do better," said Titans safety Blaine Bishop, who was moved closer to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker against the Rams.
"At times, linebackers will be on him. We tried to avoid it that game, and it happened. We'll try to avoid it this game. He's the trigger-man. If we can control him, we have a shot."
The Titans are prepared to go man-to-man on the Rams' receivers, if they must.
"I don't think you can be scared in this game," Tennessee cornerback Denard Walker said. "We faced [Buffalo's] Eric Moulds in the first week of the playoffs. We faced [Indianapolis'] Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, who just tortured defenses this year. Last week was no different with Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell and Mark Brunell of the [Jacksonville] Jaguars."
Vermeil thinks Faulk can be the ultimate trump card in this high-stakes poker game of X's and O's.
"I think Marshall Faulk is a real challenge for anybody who sets up a defensive scheme," Vermeil said. "He takes plays beyond our design and he beats defenses beyond their design. You can do everything you want to try to stop him, but if we utilize him properly, he is going to make a play."
The NFL's most prolific offense will count on it Sunday.
Super Bowl XXXIV
St. Louis Rams (15-3) vs. Tennessee Titans (16-3)
When: Sunday, 6: 25 p.m.
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV: Chs. 2, 7
Line: Rams by 7
