They are by far the best-kept secret in the NFL.

The Tennessee Titans are off to a flying start at 9-0 — just the 14th team since 1970 to do so — yet they seem to be an afterthought.

In most seasons, any team that gets to the 6-0 mark generates increased hype about going 16-0 during the regular season.

The media begin to dial up those 1972 Miami Dolphins about what it's like to have someone closing in on their undefeated season.

You could include last year's New England Patriots, who became the second team to go undefeated during the regular season, although they didn't win a championship like the Dolphins did.

At 9-0, you'd be hard pressed to discover the Titans are undefeated. Instead, they're simply being described as the last unbeaten team. Some consolation.

But maybe that's how it should be. The Titans are flying below the radar and that could be a good thing.

In the past, teams that opened the season with a big winning streak have had a great quarterback: Denver's John Elway twice, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning at least twice and New England's Tom Brady.

A great defense also is a big advantage as well.

This year's Titans, well, they're 10th in the league in points scored (24.4 per game), 21st in total offensive yardage (313.2), 27th in passing yards (178.4) and sixth in rushing (134.8).

Not horrible, but not overwhelming, which is why the experts have them losing against any good team and wait for them to fall.

It appeared to most that Sunday's game in Chicago would trip them up. Final: 21-14 Tennessee.

Kerry Collins, a former first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, had his best game of the season, as he completed 30 of 41 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

That gives the former Penn State quarterback five TDs on the season, but he has been picked off only three times since he took over for Vince Young.

The Titans average 4.0 yards per carry, thanks to rookie Chris Johnson, (160 carries, 723 yards, five TD) and LenDale White (108-418-11) Collins is next on the list with 34 yards and no other rusher has scored a touchdown.

The team's leading receiver is a tight end, Bo Scaife, with 42 catches for 422 yards and two scores. Brandon Jones has 27 catches and Johnson 26.

Ball control? Not really. Tennessee's time of possession is just 55 seconds more per game than their opponents (30:45-29:50). But they've been doing enough to get by.

Tennessee still has some tough matchups: AFC South games at Jacksonville Sunday and at the Colts Dec. 28, plus hosting Pittsburgh Dec. 21. Still, they have to play Detroit (0-9), Houston, Cleveland and the New York Jets.

The Titans' strength lies in their defense. They have allowed the fewest points per game (13.0), are fifth in total yards allowed (284.6), 12th in passing yards (194.4) and eighth in rushing yards (90.1).

As the Patriots showed, going undefeated is possible. But it's not likely the Titans will do so. Still, it is refreshing to see a total team effort has made a good one even better.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.