NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Steve McNair doesn’t like making the same mistake twice.

When Baltimore intercepted McNair three times last weekend, it marked only the sixth time in the Tennessee quarterback’s nine-year career he has been intercepted three or more times. He responded the previous times by reeling off five straight victories, then a six-game winning streak.

In those 11 victories, he was intercepted only five times.

So if his history is any indication, McNair should be near perfect Saturday night when the Titans (13-4) visit the New England Patriots in an AFC divisional playoff game.

“I learn from it,” McNair said Tuesday. “And when you learn from your mistakes and you see things happen, when you’ve done bad on it, you don’t let it happen again.”

McNair usually dissects his mistakes on video to avoid repeating himself. Not this time, he said, because he turned his attention to New England instead of watching the Titans’ 20-17 victory over Baltimore.

No wonder.

McNair easily had his worst game this season against the Ravens. But McNair managed to ignore the mistakes and was a perfect 4-of-4 on the final drive to set up Gary Anderson’s winning field goal.

Tight end Frank Wycheck has been around McNair throughout his career, and he said the quarterback always plays great the week after having a game below his personal standards.

“My money’s on Steve this week in having a great game and bouncing back,” Wycheck said.

McNair is confronted by one of his recent mistakes when he watches the Titans’ Oct. 5 loss to New England. Ty Law stepped in front of a pass to rookie Tyrone Calico, and the cornerback returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

The quarterback came back the next week with the best game of his career: a career-high 421 yards, three touchdowns – and a perfect passer rating in the first half of a victory over Houston.

It hasn’t helped that he has been hobbled by a strained right calf muscle and a sprained left ankle with a cracked bone spur for the past few weeks. He limped around for most of the second half against Baltimore and did not take part in a two-hour walkthrough Tuesday. Nor did running back Eddie George, who sat out with a sore ankle.

McNair said he will practice Wednesday.

“I felt a lot better than I did last week this time. But I tweaked (the ankle) a little bit. It got a little sore. I’ll be ready,” he said.

Patriots safety Rodney Harrison expects McNair to be at his best despite the interceptions and the sore legs.

“I don’t care if he threw six interceptions, because if he throws two interceptions, you know what – he’ll beat you for a game-winner. That’s why he’s the MVP. We don’t look at that. We expect him to be at his best,” Harrison said.

“We understand he’s going to be fully healthy. Even though everyone says he’s hurt … yeah, right. He’s hurt, but he’s still doing quarterback keepers and quarterback sneaks, so we’re not falling for that.”

McNair didn’t measure up very well against co-MVP Peyton Manning in their first games following the announcement last week. McNair threw for 159 yards and one touchdown compared to Manning’s five TDs.

The Tennessee quarterback said he knows people are watching him closer now that he is co-MVP. He said the key for him is how he responds to his three-interception game.

“I’m not thinking about MVP. That’ll soak in later,” McNair said. “I’m just concentrating on what I have to do for this team to win on Saturday.”

AP-ES-01-06-04 1931EST