Titans: set for first loss?

Denver might still be in with a chance in that AFC East but boy do they have problems. Defensively they struggle against the rush and if you're asking me, their pass defense is the worst in the history of the NFL!

Kevin Cadle
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SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
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Chicago @ Green Bay
6.00pm, Sky Sports 2
San Diego @ Pittsburgh
9.00pm, Sky Sports 2
Dallas @ Washington
1.30am(Mon), Sky Sports 2
INTERACTIVE GAMES
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Denver @ Atlanta
6.00pm, Sky Sports 2
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
9.00pm, Sky Sports 2

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Every Sunday Sky Sports is showing no fewer than FIVE live NFL games. And every week here on skysports.com the one and only Kevin Cadle will preview the three main matches...

Denver @ Atlanta (interactive)

The Atlanta Falcons have to go down as one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Before the season started, I thought this would be all about building for them, although I did expect them to play some aggressive football.

They decided to go with a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan and so far it's working out. Michael Turner is also running the ball very well and Ronnie White is catching it well so when you look across the NFL and for the team who has raised the most eyebrows, look no further than the Falcons.

Even in defense, John Abraham has caught the eye at defensive end, and is really putting pressure on the ball and creating havoc. You gotta hand it to coach Mike Smith for what he's done with this football team.

Denver might still be in with a chance in that AFC East but boy do they have problems. Defensively they struggle against the rush and if you're asking me, their pass defense is the worst in the history of the NFL!

Offensively all they can do is pass the ball - and Atlanta just faced one of those teams in the New Orleans Saints and beat them 30-24.

Last week Drew Brees racked up 422 yards but still ended up on the losing side, so this Falcons defense can clearly allow the quarterback time and space and still come up with the plays.

Jay Cutler is getting better all the time for Denver, but he needs some help. He needs some sort of running game to work with as well, but they have got so many injuries, they've even brought Tatum Bell in off the street! I guess they tried and he still had the same mobile number!

They have got so many injuries that right now it is a question of surviving until they get some bodies back.

CADLE'S CALL: I gotta go with Atlanta. They can pass and run the football, whereas Denver can only pass.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville (interactive)

So who can stop the Tennessee Titans? It could well be Jacksonville Jaguars.

They are coming off a big win, and Maurice Jones-Drew (pictured) is coming off a big game himself with three touchdowns.

Yes, a match-up with the 0-9 Detroit Lions is a game they should win, but any time a win gives you a lift, you've got to pick it up and run with it.

I would expect them to be better for that and being at home, ask some serious questions of a team that is the complete opposite to Detroit of course.

If there is one way I would go about breaking this Titans run it is having a balanced attack.

That means both running the ball and going the aerial way and I would also tell Dave Garrard and Matt Jones to try and go long once in a while, mix it up.

You have to be committed to both running and passing because we have seen nine teams try and beat them with the pass or then try and run against them and so far, neither has worked.

You look at what the Titans did last week in a tough game with Chicago. For once LenDale White had a fairly subdued game, so Kerry Collins then took it into his hands and their passing offense got them through.

Maybe the Jags' best bet is to take them on at their own game.

CADLE'S CALL: Personally I have to give the advantage to Jacksonville, particularly because the way they - and Maurice Jones-Drew - are running the ball right now.

Dallas @ Washington

This game speaks for itself, but the possible return of Tony Romo (pictured) will be a major talking point.

He is supposed to be 50-50 for this and has practised this week, but 50 of what? I wouldn't like to say whether or not the Cowboys rush him straight back in because only the coaches have seen how he is.

And that's in practice. If they bring him into a big, big game like this, there is no real way of telling what sort of percentage he is going to be able to perform at.

But whether or not Romo makes it, this is a seminal game for Dallas. They are 5-4, one game behind Washington and if they lose too many more games, they're looking at trying to get into the play-offs with something like 10 wins to their name. Even Cleveland did that last year and didn't make it.

It's so important they win this game to get them off that thin ice they're skating on right now. There are three more NFC East games for them to play and if anyone is going to dislodge the Giants, they will have to win here.

And if Dallas is worried about Tony Romo, then Washington have got to be praying that Clinton Portis makes it.

He has been the mainstay of that offense this year and we all saw what happened when he got shut down by the Pittsburgh Steelers - Washington just aren't the same proposition.

He is supposed to be at 60 per cent, whatever that means, but as well as Jason Campbell has been playing and as well as he has been looking after the football, if there's no Clinton, there's no real offensive threat.

On defense, the Skins have never been one of those teams that get to the quarterback and put him flat on his back, so whether Romo returns or Brad Johnson or even Brooks Bollinger gets the call, I think they are going to get plenty of time to do their thing.

CADLE'S CALL: I know they are at home, but with the Portis problem, I can't see the Redskins winning here and whoever starts at quarterback, I like Dallas.