Miami ? The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins took vastly different approaches to replacing departed running backs.

Of course, their situations were vastly different, too.

Both teams will test the changes in the season opener today — a day earlier than expected because of approaching Hurricane Ivan.

Early predictions said Ivan could reach southern Florida as soon as Sunday, so the NFL decided to reschedule the game to avoid a postponement.

“We’re bulletproof at this point,” said Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, whose team had its most turbulent offseason. “There’s nothing that anyone can do or say that will hurt us. Everyone knows what we’ve been through.”

Nothing was bigger than Ricky Williams’ stunning retirement a week before the start of training camp.

Williams ran for 3,225 yards in two years in Miami but quit football at age 27, leaving the Dolphins with a huge hole to fill.

Travis Minor was named the starter, but Wannstedt also planned to use Sammy Morris and Leonard Henry as part of a running back-by-committee approach. The trio combined for 59 carries and 152 yards during the preseason.

The Dolphins spent the last few days searching for help, and may have found some Wednesday when they acquired Lamar Gordon from the St. Louis Rams for a third-round draft pick in 2005.

Tennessee didn’t have to rush things with second-year running back Chris Brown. A third-round pick from Colorado, Brown spent last season playing behind the team’s all-time leading rusher Eddie George.

And when the Titans released George in July after eight seasons and more than 10,000 yards rushing, Brown stepped right into the starting role.

Miami running back Travis Minor, left, tries to elude Morlon Greenwood during Dolphins training camp. Minor and newly acquired running back Lamar Gordon lead the Dolphins' backfield into their season opener today against Tennessee.

The Titans are favored by 3, and Wannstedt didn’t make his beleaguered team’s work any easier by making Jay Fielder a “one week-at-a-time” starter at quarterback.

TITANS, 17-11

Kansas City (plus 3) at Denver

An early showdown between the teams that figure to battle for the AFC West title.

The Chiefs’ defense (or lack thereof) is the reason they went out in their first playoff game last season. The only real change they made was bringing back Gunther Cunningham to coach it.

BRONCOS, 31-23

Dallas (plus 41/2) at Minnesota

Vinny Testaverde won’t get rattled by the noise at the Metrodome. But his young teammates will, and the Vikings normally start well.

VIKINGS, 24-16

Green Bay (plus 3)

at Carolina (Monday night)

The Panthers have been taken pretty lightly for a team that almost won a Super Bowl last season, primarily because they lost most of their offensive line.

But the Carolina crowd will be fired up, the Packers’ defense has some problems, and Carolina’s front seven is one of the best in the NFL.

PANTHERS, 20-10

Tampa Bay (plus 2) at Washington

If the Redskins lose Joe Gibbs’ first home game, the D.C. area is likely to sink into the Potomac.

REDSKINS, 27-24

Arizona (plus 11) at St. Louis

Dennis Green should have known what he was getting into.

RAMS, 39-10

Oakland (plus 4) at Pittsburgh

A lot of the Raiders’ problems remain unsolved.

STEELERS, 28-13

New York Giants (plus 9) at Philadelphia

The Eagles are banged up. The Giants still are getting introduced to one another.

EAGLES, 27-10

Atlanta (minus 31/2) at San Francisco

The Falcons have defensive problems. The 49ers just have problems.

FALCONS, 34-25

Baltimore (minus 3) at Cleveland

The Ravens don’t need Deion against these guys.

RAVENS, 31-7

Cincinnati (plus 4) at New York Jets

Carson Palmer may be fine in his first start, but Chad Pennington is home and more experienced.

JETS, 24-19

Seattle (minus 2) at New Orleans

A lot is expected from the Seahawks. But the Superdome is a tough place for a team that was 2-6 on the road last season.

SAINTS, 31-29

Detroit (plus 3) at Chicago

The Bears still are adjusting to Lovie Smith, and Brian Urlacher didn’t play a down in the preseason. Detroit’s 24-game road losing streak could end.

LIONS 17-16

San Diego (plus 41/2) at Houston

The Texans are the only NFL team that NEVER has lost its opening game.

TEXANS 27-6

Jacksonville (plus 3) at Buffalo

The Jags are better. So are the Bills.

BILLS, 19-13

LAST SEASON: 143-108-5 (spread); 162-94 (straight up)