NFL Predictions: 20 Burning Questions for Week 5

Ah, as the weather begins to change across the country, and we reach the quarter point in the NFL season, things are really starting to heat up.

I love how a weekend's worth of play, and great play at that, opens the doors to a host of questions bound to have multiple answers, or answers some of us don't want to hear.

And that, my friends, is why the NFL is the best league to follow.

So many things happened in odd ways this weekend, that surely there will be questions all week about starters and who should start, who may get fired and who won to keep their job another week, and of course the "Tebow Question" will surface again and again and if it is not asked by word of mouth, well, you will see it on a billboard somewhere near you in Denver.

With that in mind, these are 20 questions the NFL fan wants answered.

What Did You Think of Detroit's Come from Behind Victory?

I thought it was pretty darn good.

This was a team everyone had as a "hot" pick at the beginning of the season and Matthew Stafford and the Lions are proving everyone right.

Dallas had that game won and they lost it, but it was a true testament to the play of Stafford and the defense that continued to play hard and came back to earn the victory.

Is Andy Reid Hearing Whispers?

He may be hearing them after this week.

San Francisco came back to win this game against a team that was supposed to blow everyone away and get to the Super Bowl.

At 1-3, somehow I don't think that is happening. And now even with all that talent, it may finally be the year we see a new man on the sidelines in Philly.

Andy Reid is one of the best ever, but if he cannot win with this bunch of players, there may be problems in Pennsylvania.

Is Maurice Jones-Drew's Talent Being Wasted in Jacksonville?

I am not sure yet if this is true.

Jones-Drew had 84 yards on 11 carries in a 23-10 loss to the Saints.

But of his carries, one was for 41 yards, so he had 10 carries for 43 yards the rest of the game.

The Jaguars used a pass-first mentality against New Orleans, which for one half worked.

The second half was a different story.

Jones-Drew has 391 yards through four games. He is as talented as any back in the league.

Why Hasn't David Garrard Gotten a Call from an NFL Team?

Miami could use him.

Minnesota could use him.

Seattle could use him.

Indianapolis could use him.

Garrard is probably best suited for a backup role on a better team (Baltimore), but it is not known if he is getting any calls from his home in Jacksonville.

Until he does, he sits and waits. I would love to see him with the Colts.

Is Devin Hester the Best Return Specialist Ever?

Yes, period.

He does things that just amaze me. He also can be the most dynamic player in the NFL if he put his mind to it.

There are few that have ever, or will ever, play the game like Hester.

Is Chris Johnson Back to Full Speed for the Titans?

As far as my fantasy football team goes, I hope so.

Actually, Johnson looked better this week than he has all season, and was more involved in the Titans offense.

Does this mean he is the Chris Johnson of the past few years? We aren't sure yet. But, the Titans look good with their offensive weapons even if Kenny Britt is out for the season.

Matt Hasselbeck was the perfect fit for this offense, and it will only get better.

Did the Saints Defense Get a Lot Better This Week Against Jacksonville?

That may be a very tough question to answer.

They put pressure on rookie Blaine Gabbert almost the entire second half, to a point where he had 10 straight incompletions.

The front seven played well, got to Gabbert and welcomed him to the NFL.

Gabbert was 16-of-42 on the game, so something has to be said for a pass coverage that ranked 27th in the league coming into the game.

If they play that well next week, then it can be said the defense is getting better.

Are Dallas Cowboys Better off Without Tony Romo?

I knew you would ask this one.

Tony Romo is the enigma of the NFL. He plays well when he is hurt against San Francisco and Washington and wills the team to victories.

Then, he is the one blamed for losses at the Jets and against the Lions, who came back and took one from the Cowboys.

Romo is a gutsy player who I think most teams would like to have on their side, but you cannot deny the tension in Dallas right now.

Is Aaron Rodgers Better Than Tom Brady?

Right now, Yes! But that can change.

While Brady has been throwing for all kinds of yards this season, what Rodgers did Sunday against Denver was superhuman.

Rodgers is still riding the playoff high he had, and is proving he is one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Brett who?

How Bad Does Adrian Peterson Feel After Signing a Contract Extension?

I don't know, but if I was him I would not be too pleased with the team I am playing on.

How interesting that the team that reached for Christian Ponder in the first round of the draft, now looks like they will be in the running for Andrew Luck.

Peterson still plays hard game after game and gives you everything he has. But this team has to win sometime, right?

Will We See Carson Palmer This Season?

Not in a Cincinnati uniform, and probably not in another uniform.

Next season may be another story.

Palmer is too talented not to play again, and like I said with Garrard, there are plenty of teams that could use him right now.

Maybe he would look good in Miami next year?

Do We See Terrell Owens Play This Season?

Next question, please!

Will It Get Better in St. Louis?

It has to. It can only get better because it cannot get worse.

I thought this was a team on the rise, but remember, we put so much emphasis on this team fighting for a playoff spot last season, and they were 7-9.

They still had plenty of holes to fill.

Who May Be the First Coach Fired This Season?

Tony Sparano's name keeps coming up.

Todd Haley won this week. Leslie Frazier may have some more leverage in his first full season, and we don't know how the Rams' season will play out.

Jack Del Rio is still under fire, and Andy Reid figures to get through the season, and his job may not be in question, it is only speculation.

The Miami head man needs to win NOW!

What Did You Think of the Ravens/Jets Game from Sunday Night?

Crazy stuff. I think a lot can be said from the game.

First, the Ravens are better than people give them credit for, and are a real threat to win the AFC if they get on a roll. And yes, their specials teams and secondary are pretty good.

I also think the Jets were overrated to start the season.

Rex Ryan loves to talk. John Harbaugh would rather his team talk for him.

Did Tom Brady Come Down to Earth Sunday?

He may have, but let's be honest, he could not do those the things he was doing for 16 games.

Brady is still one of the three best quarterbacks in the NFL. He just amazes me with his skills as he gets older.

But you weren't going to see him throw to Wes Welker for 200 per game either.

Brady will get back on point soon enough.

Is Cam Newton One of the Best Quarterbacks in the NFL?

If he isn't, he is close.

Big, strong and rocket arm. And he is making believers out of everyone who doubted him, including me.

Another 300-yard passing game, and another display of his talents.

He will be a top 10 quarterback by the end of the season if he isn't one already.

Why Isn't Anyone Talking About the New York Giants?

Great question. I guess since Eli is the only Manning playing, he is kind of playing in obscurity right now.

Maybe that is a good thing.

Manning and the Giants are pretty good and have a pretty good offense going there. Manning to Hakeem Nicks proved to be a hot read this week.

At 3-1, I'd say they are pretty darn good, actually.

Has Anyone Noticed the 49ers Are 3-1?

Thanks for bringing that up.

The 49ers have only lost to Dallas, and came from behind to beat the Eagles this week.

That Jim Harbaugh hire looks pretty good right now.

The 49ers play in a week division, but they are playing solid football.

And when you are down 20-3 at one point, and beat a talented team like Philadelphia, it means you are pretty good, too.

Are the Steelers Going to Make the Playoffs?

They are 2-2 on the season and have lost to Baltimore and Houston, two good teams in the AFC.

Right now they are tied for second in the AFC North with Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The problem with the Steelers is they have many defensive players in their 30s, and Big Ben got beaten up by the Texans defense Sunday.

We shall see if age and injuries suddenly become problems for them.