The Jets' quarterback yesterday said he will embrace the atmosphere surrounding Sunday's game at Tennessee maybe a bit more than some of his teammates.

"I appreciate every game," Favre said. "I think you realize - I know you realize - that you're playing game to game. Your focus is so much different than it was as a younger player."

Favre's perspective couldn't be more different than when he entered the league in 1991.

"You just appreciate the moment a lot more because you realize it won't be there forever," Favre said. "This game could be my last. When you're 22 years old, you're looking for that new contract, you're looking for commercials, you're looking for whatever. As you get older, all you want to do is win."

The Jets (7-3) have won four straight since an overtime loss at Oakland on Oct. 19. They lead the AFC East by a game and are tied with the Steelers for the second-best record in the conference.

Favre then sounded a bit like Robin Williams' John Keating character from the 1989 movie "Dead Poets Society."

"I just think you have to seize the moment, whatever that may be," he said. "Whether it's taking in the crowd, whether you take in a rivalry ... whatever it may be, really appreciate it. For me, I've seen it all."

Favre paused, then verbally retraced his steps.

"I'd like to say I've seen it all and done it all, but that's not true," he said. "A big win like we had Thursday night , I think 'Man, it just doesn't get any better than this.' Then you play next week against a team that's undefeated. You never know. Enjoy it while you can and obviously be productive at the same time."

The Jets' offense has done that in this four-game streak, with Favre finding his groove in the last three games. He threw seven interceptions in a three-game stretch against the Bengals, Raiders and Chiefs, but against the Bills, Rams and Patriots he had only one pick and three TDs. He had his best overall game of the season against the Patriots, going 26-for-33 (a season-best 78.8 completion percentage) for 258 yards and two TDs.

"I played last week like I expect to play," Favre said. "I thought I played at a high level, but that's what they brought me in here to do. I expect to play like that every week, and hope to."

Favre was asked about next year, surprisingly for only the second time this season. There was no news flash because his answer was about the same as it was a month ago.

"I have people - friends, family - who ask me all the time about next year," he said. "The answer I give them, which is the honest answer, is I really don't know. To be totally honest with you, I really don't care. What I care about is trying to beat Tennessee."

When general manager Mike Tannenbaum made the deal with the Packers on Aug. 6, he asked for a two-year commitment from Favre. He got one year.

"[I said] you brought me in here to win now and help this team, however that may be," Favre said yesterday. "Let me do that to the best of my ability and then focus on next year when the season's over."

Considering the significance of Sunday's game, Favre seemed amused about being asked about 2009.

"I don't see how anyone, aside from you guys, can focus on next year when what we're trying to do right now is win and do something this year," he said. "I'm 39 years old. I know the better days are behind me, for the most part. There won't be 16 more years or 17 more years. I'm trying to enjoy and help this team win now."

WEEEK 12 MATCHUP

Jets OFFENSE

AVG. YARDS 336.5 (12)

AVG. RUSHING 121.1 (9)

AVG. PASSING 211.4 (14)

3RD DOWNS 44.1% (T10)

SACKS ALLOWED 19 (16)

AVG. POINTS 28.9 (T2)

TITANS DEFENSE

AVG. YARDS 281.8 (6)

AVG. RUSHING 95.1 (10)

AVG. PASSING 186.7 (6)

THIRD DOWNS 33.1% (3)

SACKS 28 (6)

AVG. POINTS 13.1 (1)

(NFL RANKINGS)

Piling it on

Leon Washington leads the NFL in combined yardage (rushing, receiving, kickoff and punt returns):

1,475 Leon Washington, Jets

1,359 Darren Sproles S.D.

1,352 Johnnie Lee Higgins Oak.

1,227 Eddie Royal Den.

Sunday

Jets at

Tennessee

1 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WEPN (1050), WABC (770), WRCN (103.9)