Tuesday Morning Philosophy: The Question Each NFL Team Is Being Asked This Week

With each new week in the NFL comes a new pressing issue for each team.

Whether it is what a team needs to do to make a playoff run or simply what a team needs to do to win next week, every Tuesday morning I dive into the issues to shed some light on the direction that teams are heading as the season moves forward.

So let's take a look at the issues that effect each NFL team this week.

AFC East

New England Patriots: Can the Patriots keep up their high-scoring attack, with Gronkowski out for the next month?

Miami Dolphins: With their third loss in a row, can the Dolphins bounce back and stay in the playoff hunt?

New York Jets: Mark Sanchez had his first game in a month without an interception. Is this a sign of things to come or an anomaly?

Buffalo Bills: Is the Bills high-priced defense finally starting to come together, or was this week a gift from the Dolphins?

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco struggled again against the Steelers. Is Flacco capable of putting the offense on his back against the top teams?

Pittsburgh Steelers: Will injuries cost the Steelers a wild card spot?

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals can smell blood with the Steelers struggling. Can they take advantage of a weak schedule and sneak into the playoffs?

Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland secondary is considerably weaker without Joe Haden. Is there any doubt that cornerback is the thinnest position on the team?

AFC South

Houston Texans: A win is a win, but can you really feel good about letting up 37 points to Jacksonville?

Indianapolis Colts: A stumbling block for Andrew Luck, but can he learn from the New England game and lead the Colts to the playoffs?

Tennessee Titans: Can Chris Johnson keep his hot streak going after the week off?

Jacksonville Jaguars: So wait, has Blaine Gabbert been the problem this whole time?

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Will the loss of Willis McGahee for the next month slow down the potent Broncos offense?

San Diego Chargers: The four wins for the Chargers this season have come against OAK, TEN and KC(2). Are these the only type of teams the Chargers are capable of beating?

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders have allowed an average of 45 points per game during their three-game losing streak. Can Carson Palmer and the Raiders offense put up enough points to make up for the inept defense?

Kansas City Chiefs: How bad is Ricky Stanzi that he can't find the field, with the abysmal quarterback play the Chiefs have been getting from the Cassell/Quinn duo?

NFC East

New York Giants: Will Eli Manning find his arm strength for the final stretch of the season?

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have won consecutive games for the first time this season, and Tony Romo has gone three games without a pick. Can Dallas ride this "hot" streak to a win on a short week?

Philadelphia Eagles: First the offensive line, then the quarterback and now the secondary. What position will implode next for the Eagles?

Washington Redskins: A big game for RG III, but he does realize that he won't be able to play pitch and catch against every defense, right?

NFC North

Chicago Bears: How did the loss of Jay Cutler prevent the Bears defense from being able to tackle? 

Green Bay Packers: How scary could the Packers be if they ever get healthy?

Minnesota Vikings: Five of the last six games of the season for the Vikings are against potential playoff teams. Can the Vikings ride Adrian Peterson to a playoff berth?

Detroit Lions: The Lions continue to struggle with divisional opponents. Can Detroit overcome a weak secondary to get in the playoff hunt?

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Can Matt Ryan move past his five-interception performance and regain his MVP form?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Josh Freeman keep the young Buccaneers in the playoff hunt, with three of their last six games against division opponents.

New Orleans Saints: Just when everyone had ruled the Saints out of the playoff hunt, they climb their way back in. Can Drew Brees carry a Saints team with one of the league's worst defenses?

Carolina Panthers: With four out of their last six opponents having losing records, can the Panthers and Cam Newton end the season on a positive note?

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers: Is there any doubt that the Niners offense is better with Colin Kaepernick leading the way?

Seattle Seahawks: With just one road win on the season, can the Seahawks find a way to win outside of Seattle and make the playoffs?

Arizona Cardinals: With their 4-0 start a distant memory, can the Cardinals muster up some offense without Kevin Kolb?

St. Louis Rams: The Rams have not won a game since their Week 5 victory over the Cardinals. Will a trip to Arizona this week end their losing ways?