Burning Questions for Every NFL Playoff Team

As NFL fans turn their attention toward the dawn of the 2012 season, now's the perfect time to examine the 12 playoff teams from a year ago and uncover their most burning questions as training camps open. 

There's historically been a resounding turnover each postseason, with two or three surprise teams vaulting into the playoffs that watched from their big screens a year before. 

The 2011 playoff clubs need to answer these questions. They'll make or break their chances at a second straight trip to the postseason.

Cincinnati Bengals: Will Andy Dalton and A.J. Green Improve or Regress?

A.J. Green and especially Andy Dalton exceeded expectations in 2011. 

Though the former TCU quarterback didn't set the NFL on fire in his rookie campaign, he led his team to a 9-7 record and a berth in the postseason while throwing 20 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions—good for a respectable 80.4 QB rating. 

Green was a tremendous downfield option, catching 65 passes for 1,057 yards with seven touchdowns in 15 games. 

Moving into Year 2 with their dynamic 2011 rookies, should the Bengals expect improvement or regression from Dalton and Green? 

The organization did a marvelous job to add more weapons to the offense. Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones and Orson Charles should make Dalton's life easier, but as rookies in 2012, they may experience a steep learning curve. 

There's no reason to think Green will regress, mainly because teams won't be able to double-cover him on every play due to the aforementioned pass-catchers. 

His physical attributes are reminiscent of Randy Moss, and his ball skills are among the best in the league. 

Atlanta Falcons: Can They Finally Take the Next Step in the Playoffs?

Matt Ryan's been to the playoffs three times, and his team has fallen flat on its face in every postseason outing. 

The NFC South will be one of the most intriguing divisions to watch in the NFL: The Carolina Panthers are no longer a doormat and the young, hungry Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded with potential. 

However, the Atlanta Falcons are sound from top to bottom and are led by an established signal-caller. 

They should battle for an NFC playoff spot, but that's not the goal this team's trying to reach. 

They're looking to take the next step as a franchise. 

Ryan is entering his fifth season and coming off arguably the best campaign of his career in 2011. Julio Jones is oozing with upside, and Roddy White's one of the league's most steady receivers. Legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez even stayed around for another year. 

Do they have enough moxie to not only reach the playoffs but make some noise when they get there? Have they paid their dues? 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Can They Keep Ben Roethlisberger Upright?

As long as Dick LeBeau is the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator, they're going to have a top-notch defense. 

There's no doubting that. 

As long as Ben Roethlisberger stays on his feet and is given the opportunity to improvise, the Steelers will be a Super Bowl favorite. 

Unfortunately in 2011, Pittsburgh quarterbacks were sacked 42 times, which was ninth worst in football. 

Big Ben suffered a devastating ankle injury late in the season against the Cleveland Browns. It ultimately doomed the Steelers' road to another Vince Lombardi Trophy. 

While Mike Wallace's contract dispute is still unsettling, providing ample protection to Roethlisberger has to be of the utmost importance for Pittsburgh. When he's healthy, the Steel City is home to an underrated vertical passing offense capable of scoring with anyone. Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown and Wallace are speedsters who legitimately threaten opposing defenses with their acceleration, and with time, Big Ben can get them the football. 

Will 2012 draftees David DeCastro and Mike Adams make a major difference along the offensive line? 

Detroit Lions: How Much Will a Delinquent Offseason Affect Regular-Season Play?

By now, you're aware of the humiliating offseason the Detroit Lions have endured. 

The seven arrests are undoubtedly troubling and certainly do not set a good example for anyone. For as embarrassing as the last four months have been, will the multiple arrests of Nick Fairley, Mikel Leshoure and Aaron Berry have that much of an impact on the regular season? 

Sure, players could potentially be distracted by the cascade of negative news surrounding the organization, but is it smart to think it'll outweigh the magnificent offensive talent on this team?

Matt Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards last year, and Calvin Johnson was, undoubtedly, the best receiver in football. 

Houston Texans: If Matt Schaub Is Healthy, Are They Super Bowl Contenders?

Last year, the Houston Texans were one of the true up-and-coming teams in the NFL, filled with offensive and defensive talent. 

Before quarterback Matt Schaub went down with a freak foot injury while attempting a quarterback sneak, it's safe to say no one wanted to play them in the postseason. 

Schaub's had ample time to recover from the Lisfranc injury, and the team's roster will look slightly different in 2012 without right tackle Eric Winston and edge-rusher Mario Williams. 

However, Houston still boasts one of the best backfields in football with Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Andre Johnson hasn't gone anywhere. Neither has Wade Phillips, his esteemed 3-4 alignment and the handful of talented defenders he implemented beautifully in 2011. 

If Schaub's healthy, is this the year the Texans really break out?

New Orleans Saints: How Will Despicable Offseason Affect Regular-Season Play?

Forget the Lions. 

No team had a more nightmarish offseason than the New Orleans Saints. 

Despite the league's discovery of the bounty program that led to the year-long suspension of head coach Sean Payton and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, the team did end their offseason on high note when they locked up franchise face Drew Brees to a monster deal. 

The question remains: Will the Bountygate scandal and subsequent suspensions drastically affect the team's chances to again be one of the best teams in football? 

Brees and his offense will have something to say about that. 

Denver Broncons: Will Peyton Manning Be...Well, Peyton Manning?

Peyton Manning hasn't played an NFL down in more than a year. He's 36 years old and coming off multiple neck surgeries. 

Still, is it smart to bet against No. 18? 

Throughout his glorious career, Manning has made his offenses click like no other, regardless of the receivers split out wide or the running backs behind him. 

Though the players around Manning in Denver aren't necessarily stellar, maybe they just haven't been given the chance to excel in their young careers. 

Will Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas blossom into star receivers with Manning at the helm? Will No. 18 pick up where he left off in 2010, when he threw for 4,700 yards with 33 touchdowns?

Green Bay Packers: Can the Packers Pass Rush Improve, Help Overall Defense?

The Green Bay Packers went 15-1 last year after winning the Super Bowl in the winter of 2011. 

Aaron Rodgers won the MVP and had arguably the greatest season a quarterback's ever had. Yet they were stunned at home in the second round of the playoffs by the eventual champion New York Giants. 

Why? 

Well, the defense was downright awful, and a lot of that had to do with the team's pass rush, a group that vanished last year. 

After accumulating 47 quarterback takedowns in 2010, that number shrunk to 29 in 2011. Clay Matthews was often rendered ineffective and defensive tackle B.J. Raji regressed significantly. 

The team added USC edge-rusher Nick Perry in the first round of the 2012 draft. Can he take some pressure and double-teams away from Matthews and Raji?

If so, Green Bay will be nearly unstoppable on each side of the ball. 

San Francisco 49ers: Will Alex Smith Improve or Regress in 2012?

Under the tutelage of head coach Jim Harbaugh, Alex Smith experienced a career year in 2011. He set career highs in completions (273), attempts (445), completion percentage (61.3) and yards (3,144). 

His game-managing skills were fabulous, and he showed a clutch gene on a few occasions—one we didn't know the former No. 1 overall pick had. 

The front office infused receiving talent into the roster, hoping to further Smith's progression. 

Mario Manningham and Randy Moss were added in free agency, and Illinois standout A.J. Jenkins was selected in the first round of the draft. 

If Smith is relied upon to throw more passes in 2012, will a ground-and-pound San Francisco club from a year ago be as dominating? 

Baltimore Ravens: How Will Older, New-Look Defense Fare?

The Baltimore Ravens have been proving doubters wrong for the last few seasons. Many of their core defensive stars, like every other team in the NFL, have gotten older and remain in vital positions. 

In 2012, they could be facing their toughest road as a defense and as a team in general. 

Gone are integral role players Cory Redding and Jarret Johnson. Terrell Suggs suffered a devastating Achilles injury that will likely sideline him for the entire season. 

Ray Lewis is 37. Ed Reed is 33. 

Sure, it's unlikely the offense misses a beat with newly minted runner Ray Rice back in the mix, and a more confident Joe Flacco looking to up his passing numbers with Anquan Boldin and emerging second-year receiver Torrey Smith splitting out wide. 

But will the Ravens be as intimidating on defense? 

New England Patriots: Will the Defense Improve?

After grabbing Brandon Lloyd this offseason to add to an already explosive offense that features Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and the always pesky but productive Wes Welker, all signs are pointing to the Patriots fielding one of the best offenses we've witnessed in some time. 

However, New England's true issue in 2011, one that led to them missing out on another Super Bowl ring, was their secondary. 

It was ranked No. 31 in football last year, allowing an average of 294 passing yards per game. Though the Pats mustered a respectable 40 sacks, the defensive backfield let them down. 

The team added middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower and raw but talented defensive lineman Chandler Jones in the draft. 

Jonathan Fanene was acquired in free agency. 

Will those newcomers give the secondary more chances to be aggressive and make plays in 2012?

New York Giants: Can They Play the Regular Season Like They Did in the Playoffs?

The Giants snuck into the postseason at 9-7, then went on yet another magical run to a second Super Bowl title in five years. 

The ultra-hyped NFC East should be challenging, but New York certainly has the talent to repeat as division champs. 

Though Eli Manning had a career year in 2011, disappointing losses to Washington and Seattle halted momentum and raised questions about the team's chances to even make the postseason.

They played well down the stretch and were fortunate to make the playoffs, but they must keep it together throughout the regular season in 2012 if they want the opportunity to repeat as NFL champions. 

Can they?