NFL Playoff Picture: 20 Key Questions For the Playoff Push

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesThe NFL playoff picture is blurry, but it's becoming more clear as each Sunday passes.Still, we've got a long way before the postseason is set with numerous teams fighting for their playoff lives.With thisunpredictability comes an abundance of questions—ones that ultimately will decide which teams make the playoffs, and when answered, will tell us how deep certain squads will travel in the 2010 NFL postseason.Let's get started...1. Can Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers catch the Kansas 6 Sanchez Green Jersey
City Chiefs?After falling at home to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Chargers are now two games back of Kansas City. But they get the Chiefs at home this upcoming week, and have easy road tests against the Bengals and the Broncos to finish off the season. It could happen, but it won't be effortless.2. When Giants WR's Hakeem Nix and Steve Smith return, will they pick up where they left off?No receiving contingent has been hurt more by injuries this year than the New York Giants' group. Nix and Smith could return as early as this weekend's matchup against the Vikings in Minnesota. Before they were sidelined, these two led one of the most dynamic receiving units in the NFL. How they return will be crucial in the Giants' playoff push.Andy Lyons/Getty Images3. Will Peyton Manning rebound from his stretch of terrible play?I still can't believe Manning has thrown 11 interceptions in his last three games. Just seems like a misprint. His Colts aren't very balanced, have a ton of injuries, and aren't exactly playing stout defense. I still think Manning has the ability to win games on his own, but he'll need to get on the same page as wide receivers not named Reggie Wayne.4. How will the Buccaneers replace C Jeff Faine and CB Aqib Talib?Faine has been very consistent for the Bucs during their return to respectability and Talib leads the team with six interceptions. Tampa's secondary is one of its strengths, but they could be exposed with Talib out.5. Can the Saints catch the Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC South?They haven't been nearly as dominant as they were last year, but the Saints are on a five game winning streak and are just a game behind the Falcons. They go to Baltimore in two weeks and play the Falcons in the Georgia Dome in Week 16 on Monday Night Football. They'll at least have a good shot.Christian Petersen/Getty Images6. Will the Rams' rather unknown defense play well enough to lead the team to an NFC West crown?By now we know that Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson will make plays for the Rams offensively. What we don't know is how the defense will play. Chris Long and James Hall are dangerous ends who can get to the quarterback, but the rest of the defensive unit must make plays against the Saints and Chiefs if the Rams make a run at the division crown. It'll be tough.7. Will the Dallas Cowboys spoil the Philadelphia Eagles playoff push?The Cowboys look completely different under Jason Garrett than they did with Wade 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
Phillips at the helm. Jon Kitna is playing out of his mind, and the defense is creating turnovers and getting off the field in crunch time. Dez Bryant is out, but with two games left with Mike Vick, they'll have a chance to shake things up in the NFC East.8. Will the Oakland Raiders catch the Kansas City Chiefs and run their way into the playoffs?Oakland is two games back with four to go, but they've taken a page out of the Chiefs' book and become dedicated to the running game—a gameplan that works wonders in December. They play in Arrowhead Stadium to end the year, and I don't want to make any bold predictions, but there's a good chance that game decides the division.Larry French/Getty Images9. How much will Heath Miller's concussion hinder the Steelers offense?Big Ben is always looking Hines Ward's way, but his next favorite target is probably Heath Miller. We aren't sure how long Miller is out, but without another big and reliable possession target, the Steelers instantly become easier to defend.10. Can the Jaguars hold on and win the AFC South?God answered their prayers with a game-winning Hail Mary two weeks ago and quietly the Jags have won four of their last five. They're second in the NFL in rushing yards, and already own the tiebreaker over the Colts. They play Indianapolis in Week 15, and Jones-Drew could have a huge day against abeleagueredColts defense. Jacksonville Jaguars: AFC South Champs? It's a possibility.11. Can Mark Sanchez repeat his play from last December and January?I'm sold on Sanchez being a quality starter in the NFL, but I need to see more from him in these cold, critical games. We'll get a good idea of where he's at after the New England game this evening, but if the Jets want to clinch home field, it will come down to the play of this second-year pro.Larry French/Getty Images12. Will the Patriots' inexperienced secondary lead to their demise down the stretch?The Patriots are going to make the postseason. The question is, will they enter as the AFC East champion or one of the Wild Cards? We know Tom Bradycan light up a scoreboard with any mixture of talent around him, but the Patriots secondary is still giving up the most yards in the NFL. I think it could hurt them in the worst way in these final weeks.13. Can the Steelers continue to win hard-nose, low-scoring games and take the AFC North?After escaping Buffalo with an unimaginable victory, the Steelers snuckout of Baltimore with a dramatic win. Big Ben wasn't bad, but was hardly impressive and Pittsburgh relied on their defense once again, specifically Troy Polamalu, to win the game. I need to see more out of the Steelers offense before I can give them the division crown.14. Are the Atlanta Falcons for real?They're the first team to 10 wins, and have won the close games against top teams. (Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans and Tampa Bay) Matt Ryan is poised in the pocket even when his team is down in the fourth quarter and the defense plays well as a cohesive unit. They host the Saints in the Georgia Dome in Week 16 in what could be a rowdy contest, but yes, the Atlanta Falcons are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images15. Are the Chicago Bears for real?I'll apologize in advance, Bears fans. Your team has nine wins, which is all that matters at this point, but their final four games are brutal (New England, @Minnesota, New York Jets, @Green Bay). I wouldn't be surprised if Jay Cutler returns to his turnover-happy ways in those contests. The defense is for real, but Cutler scares me.16. Will James Starks emerge as the go-to running back the Packers have been looking for?All year the Packers faithful has worried about its team's lack of a running game. They can throw it with anyone and play solid defense, but the Packers know that you can't do damage in December in Green Bay without tailback production. Starks had 73 yards on 18 carries this past week and if he's the guy for Mike McCarthy's bunch, they're offensive attack is as frighteningas they come.17. Can Seattle beat out the St. Louis Rams for the NFC South title and a berth in the playoffs?The Seahawks are tied with Rams at 6-6, but the Rams own the tiebreaker at this point. They've been far from consistent this year, but host two of their last three games, and we all know how they play at Qwest Field. I still like the Rams' chances.Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images18. Can Joe Flacco make the timely plays for the Ravens?In his rookie season, Joe Flacco made the AFC Championship game, only to look out of sorts against an ultra-aggressive Pittsburgh Steelers defense. On Sunday night, he had his moments, but couldn't deliver when it mattered most. The defense is there, but can Flacco make the big play when the Ravens need it most? I think he can, but I still need to see it.19. Are the Kansas City Chiefs more dangerous than we think because of their high-powered running game?We all know that an effective running game is vital in December and January football. There's not a team in the NFL that does it better than the Chiefs. Thomas Dallas Cowboys jersey
Jones is still a mean between-the-tackles guy and Jamal Charles has emerged as a dynamic outside-the-numbers runner who is equally as dangerous in the passing game. Don't get in Chiefs' way, they'll run you over.20. How important will home-field advantage be?Everyone wants home-field advantage in the playoffs, and teams obviously love getting that bye. But there's a ton of pressure placed on the home-team in that divisional round and we've seen what Wild Card teams have done in recent years. Watch out for teams like the Patriots, Giants, Packers, and the Ravens. They'll have a longer road to the Super Bowl but are teams that could win it all.