NFL Predictions: 20 Burning Questions Heading into Week 4

Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books and we are getting a better feel for what is rally happening in the aftermath of the NFL lockout.

Teams we expected to ascend are doing so (Green Bay) while some that we thought would be good are having trouble getting out of the gate (Atlanta) and some teams are waiting for Andrew Luck to put on a set of professional pads (Miami Dolphins).

This season has been exciting and dismal all at the same time. And with it comes questions each week that need to be answered.

20. Now That Michael Vick Is Injured Again, Is Andy Reid's Job in Jeopardy?

I am not sure about this one, but i do know he is taking heat for having Vick in the game in the first place.

Vick injured himself last week in a loss and then broke his non-throwing hand in another loss.

Makes you wonder if Vick will ever play a full season again without being injured.

Because he is such a risk taker and puts himself out there to be battered and beaten on each play, injuries are a strong possibility.

Reid and Vick know this. But since the Eagles spent millions to win the Super Bowl now, yes there is probably some heat on the head coach if he does not come up aces.

19. How Many Mulligans Will Tony Sparano Get in Miami Before Losing His Job?

The team is 0-3, missed out on the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes, mad a mockery of courting the current coach, tried to trade for Kyle Orton and even thought of signing Brett Favre in the offseason.

Wait a minute, I need to catch my breath.

The Dolphins need a win desperately. Sparano needs a win to quiet the voices. Henne needs a really good game to quiet critics.

The Dolphins are a mess and it is only a matter of time before the head coach may find himself out of football.

18. What Happens Now That Kenny Britt Is out for the Tennessee Titans?

Well, I guess that means the team finds more ways to use Chris Johnson.

The Titans extended his contract in the offseason and Johnson has not been used like last season.

Look for that to change now. This team is 2-1 on the season and new quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is playing like he did when he led Seattle to the Super Bowl.

17. Who Is to Blame for the Jaguars Losing to the Panthers?

Plain and simple, this team and its staff does not know what urgency is.

With a rookie quarterback, head coach Jack Del Rio should have used more time management and it backfired on him and the team.

There are times when a coach just needs to act like a coach and realize he must control the game, not allow a rookie to do so. Blaine Gabbert played well for a rookie yesterday, but time management did the eteam in at the end.

16. How Long Will It Be Before We See Tim Tebow Under Center?

Ah, the $64,000 question.

I hope not for a long time. Tebow is the THIRD string quarterback. He should be learning and only coming into the game is Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn are hurt.

This billboard stuff about fans wanting him to play is ridiculous.

If Tebow warranted more time under center, then he would have it.

Can we stop this, already?

15. Which Team Will Get a Win First, Indianapolis or Miami?

Wow, both teams had their chances on Sunday and could not deliver.

The Colts prove over and over again how important Peyton Manning is to them and how he makes other players better.

Now that Manning is out for the season, the team needs something to motivate them even more.

The Dolphins need to just find a way to prevail.

If I was a betting man, I would say Colts first.

Indianapolis should have beaten the Steelers Sunday night.

14. Are the Texans Still One of the Elite Teams in the AFC?

I would say, YES!

The combination of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson is one of the best in the league.

The team used Ben Tate instead of Arian Foster and he responded with 82 yards rushing.

This game was another high scoring affair, which has become commonplace in the NFL this year. And yes they lost, but it spoke how far they have come to challenge teams like the Saints.

Let's see how they do against other teams in the AFC before we anoint them the best in the conference.

13. Has the Packers' Defense Finally Taken a Stand and Will Play Better?

Gosh, I hope so. Watching the defense give up chunks of points to New Orleans and Carolina was scary. Seeing them play better and within themselves against the Bears was better.

Time will tell but the defense must shut teams down better if this team is to challenge for another Super Bowl title.

12. Did Cam Newton Come Back to Earth Sunday?

Probably.

There was going to be a time when the rookie played like, well a rookie.

The rain and a decent Jaguars' defense helped make that happen.

But for the most part, Newton played within himself. It was however, cool to see him carry players as he made tough yards in the rain.

11. Did Seattle Right the Ship Sunday with a Win over the Cardinals?

No, but it is a start.

Tavares Jackson is still not the answer under center. The team did play better, however and it showed. The point output is still love, but a win is a win.

The interception of Kevin Kolb in the fourth quarter is what sealed the game for the Seahawks.

10. Who Is the Best Player in the NFL Right Now?

I think it may be Matthew Stafford.

Stafford and the Lions are 3-0 and have played against some decent competition. The team is moving in the direction expected of them when they brought the former Georgia quarterback in.

The defense is much improved and the combination of Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson is down right scary.

9. Can Detroit Be a Serious Playoff Contender?

YES!

Everything seems to be going in their direction. It is cool to root for the Lions again. They are fast, strong, young and hungry. Jim Schwartz was the right man for the job when he was hired and this is a team that can be good for a number of years.

The Lions will roar the next few years,

8. Donovan McNabb Isn't Winning so When Will We See Christian Ponder

Not sure of that!

McNabb cannot rally this team to a win. Ponder is on the bench and waiting.

If the team gets to midseason without anything positive happening, you may see the rookie make his first start.

7. Are the Raiders a Better Team Than the Jets?

Not yet, but give them time.

Darren McFadden, like MJD last week, proved there are holes in the Jets' run defense.

The Raiders can score and score often. The receivers are getting better.

They are a team on the rise. But for now, Rex Ryan's boys are still a bit better.

6. Is Ryan Fitzpatrick for Real?

I think he is a good quarterback, better than some give him credit for. He was serviceable before, now he is better than average.

Fitzpatrick is like the journeyman who finally settles and plays to his potential. With him under center, the Bills in Chan Gailey's offense are a good bet to make the playoffs.

And players like David Nelson, Fred Jackson and Stevie Johnson would not be as good in other cities than they are in Buffalo.

5. Is Eli Manning Fianlly Living Up to His Billing?

Maybe now that his brother is sidelined, there isn't as much pressure on him.

Manning is a good quarterback, probably a Top-12 passer, and he has proven to be better this year than in years past.

Whatever the reason, it is helping the Giants and putting a smile on Tom Coughlin's face.

Yes, that was sarcasm.

4. Was Yesterday a Bump in New England's Run to the Super Bowl?

Yes, just a bump. But the defense cannot give up large chunks of points every game.

The Patriots' offense still looks unstoppable but the defense looks vulnerable.

At some point it may come back to hurt them in more than one game. What is interesting is that the Saints, the Packers and the Patriots all have this issue and all are serious title contenders.

3. Should We Be Concerned with Atlanta's Record?

Not yet. They played three tough teams and are 1-2. That will change.

They still have a great offense led by Matt Ryan and great receivers to throw to.

The running game is strong with Michael Turner and the defense is better than last season.

This team will turn it around.

2. Is Joe Flacco Finally Being Let Loose in the Ravens' Offense

Maybe.

He was trained since he got into the NFL to manage games and not lose them. Now it seems he is learning to open up the offense.

With Ray Rice running the ball and a still great defense, this looks like a team that can win a Super Bowl again.

The Ravens saw what receiver Torrey Smith can do this past weekend.

This could be a scary team come playoff time.

1. Will the Cowboys Find a Way to Score Touchdowns?

In the game against the Redskins, we saw Tony Romo fight like hell to move the team down the field. Until the running game finally found lanes to run through, it was a one-man show.

Romo needs help if this team is to compete throughout the season. Injuries have been a part of the problem, but if the quarterback with the cracked ribs and the punctured lung can do it, others need to step up.

This team can be really good if all the parts come together.