10 NFL Questions Worth Asking Heading into Week 6

Now is the time of year that the great illusion of the NFL starts to rear its ugly yet colorful head. It's the illusion which, given the wealth of "information" provided to us on a weekly basis, makes us think that we are somehow, actually, "informed."

That information is skewed, slanted and jaded.  The truth of the matter is that records aren't telling the whole story, good teams are hiding a lot of flaws and questions continue to linger with teams that many prognosticators picked to be widely successful heading into the season. 

It's time to answer 10 intriguing questions heading into Week 6.

10. Is San Diego as Good as Their Record?

This might seem out of place seeing as how San Diego has a bye week.  But the Chargers need to look closely at the pressing flaws reflecting back at them in the mirror with their time off. 

Obviously this has nothing to do with the capabilities of Philip Rivers.  He continues to put up astonishing passing numbers despite the absence of Antonio Gates. 

But while it's hard to argue with a 4-1 start to the season, Norv Turner, and Chargers fans have to be somewhat alarmed by the fact that their team has struggled for three straight weeks against the likes of Kansas City, Miami and Denver. 

Even more alarming (besides the fact that the Chargers struggled against a Miami defense so abysmal that Vincent Jackson had enough time to fall down untouched and still run into the end zone) is that the Chargers struggled to put away two putrid teams that had to turn to their backup quarterbacks in the midst of the game.

The bottom line is that elite teams convincingly stomp on teams that have such disarray at the quarterback position.

9. Can Buffalo Sustain Its Success with This Roster?

Buffalo's prayers have seemingly been answered.  With come from behind wins against the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots, as well as a surprising win against the supposed NFL Dream Team Philadelphia Eagles, the Bills have been thrust back into relevance. 

But currently this team is being lead by undrafted free agents George Wilson, David Nelson, Fred Jackson and seventh round draft picks Steve Johnson and Ryan Fitzpatrick.  While that sounds like a feel good story of guys collectively overcoming obstacles to realize their dreams on the field, it's very telling that there is a lack of standout first round talent at any key position on this team.

Eventually the Bills will face teams with elite level pass rushing attacks that will challenge them to step outside of their comfort zone of rushing, wide receiver screen passes and whatever else keeps the chains moving. 

8. Did Everyone Just Whiff on the Kevin Kolb Gamble?

Again, another team facing a bye week.  But the glaring issues remain.

Sign a young promising quarterback with an above average arm, accuracy and mobility.

What seemed like the perfect answer at the time as turned into a nightmare. 

Mold said quarterback and allow him time to settle into a leadership role with the team, develop a solid repore with Larry Fitzgerald, while also taking over a weak division.

At all accounts the Kolb experience has failed.  Giving up $21 million in guaranteed money, a starting player and a second round draft pick sure seems like a lot to give up for what so far amounts to be an inaccurate walking liability at the quarterback position. 

His latest performance of 21-of-42 with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble are doing nothing to quiet that argument.

Kolb's tone after his three turnover performance against the Vikings sounded like a person with leadership qualities.  He stated, "You're never going to find non-belief in this locker room. We felt like we had a chance the whole time."

But tone isn't helping him get on the same page with Larry Fitzgerald and compliment the solid play of the Vikings defense.

7. Will the Eagles Settle for Being the Most Entertaining 1-4 Team in the NFL?

It might appear that title belongs to the Carolina Panthers who conceivably have no business competing like they have against the likes of the Packers, Bears and Saints. 

That they have played so well is even more amazing given the fact of how pedestrian Cam Newton looked during the preseason, and given the only real skills players added were a washed up Jeremy Shockey and underwhelming Greg Olsen.

But nothing seems as surprising and entertaining as the debacle that is the Philadelphia Eagles. 

They are one of the most explosive teams in the NFL win it comes to putting up scores in bunches.

All of that means nothing if you are also reckless with the football and keep finding ways to lose.

With Philadelphia facing a must win against Washington, it looks like the Cowboys and Giants can exhale briefly, knowing that at least one of their division foes will sport an L after this week. 

6. Which Team Will Have the Emotional Letdown?

The San Francisco 49ers aren't as good as their 48 point outburst against the Buccaneers would imply.

Detroit and its fans celebrated their first Monday night game in a decade with an emotional win and now face a short turnaround for Sundays matchup.

Alex Smith hasn't yet faced a team that pressures the quarterback like the Lions do, and the last time Detroit faced a team with a real rushing attack they needed overtime to win.

Both teams are grabbing at respect in this league.

Somethings got to give in this matchup of division leaders. 

5. Are the Broncos Handling the Tebow Situation Well?

This question might seem odd because the Broncos are facing a bye week. 

But the Broncos (who now have the services of their talented wide receiving duo of Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas returning) are giving up on someone (Kyle lame duck Orton) who in the preseason clearly beat out Tim Tebow, and by all accounts still has outplayed him.

What information can be gained from observing a second half of football?  Is it Tebow's ability to extend the play with his unique skill set (something we already knew), or his lack on passing accuracy (something we again already knew)?

What changed in John Fox and John Elway's minds that made them think at this present moment (besides Orton's lackluster performance and ever growing impatient fan base) that Tebow is all of a sudden ready to compete at this level?

Sitting at 1-4 with the ability to still make the playoffs, let's hope Tebow's performance doesn't add to that list of uncertainty.

4. Is Matty Ice Starting to Melt?

The Falcons have a solid running game.

They have upgraded at the wide receiver position by drafting Julio Jones.

So besides the inability to stop anyone defensively, what seems to be the problem in Atlanta?

A big problem seems to be Matt Ryan and his paltry 79.9 quarterback rating.

Many teams are facing severe deficiencies (from the Cowboys lack of healthy defensive personnel to the Patriots and Saints inability to stop anyone defensively).  The good to elite teams have been able to at least mask some of their issues and not have a losing record.

With so many offensive weapons at his disposal, Ryan needs to find a way and win at home against his rookie colleague before the season spirals out of control.

3. How Many Touchdowns Will Romo Have to Throw to Quiet His Critics?

There's not much to be said here.  If Romo struggles against the worst passing defense in the league he will be branded a goat for the rest of the season.  

Keep in mind that Chad Henne had his best career game (while also giving the Miami Dolphins a false sense of hope for the future) verses this defense.

With Miles Austin expected to return from injury, Romo should have a monster game against the Patriots this week.

The problem is can Romo sustain elite level play for four full quarters of football, while also facing the skilled passing precision of Tom Brady.

And even if he does, will it translate into a win?

2. How Crazy Is Brandon Marshall?

This is not an intended jab at the recent diagnosis of Marshall's personality disorder.

But you do have to be somewhat out there to predict, before a nationally televised game against a heated rivalry, that you plan on getting ejected.

The Dolphins coaching staff and fans have to be hoping that Marshall releasing this new "persona" is just bravado heading into the game against the Jets.

At this point they'll probably settle for anything that translates to Marshall actually holding onto the football and getting into the end zone.

1. What Identity Will the Jets Finally Settle On?

With each passing week it becomes more and more laughable that there was actually a debate over whether to take Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford with the first pick. 

Sanchez has repeatedly shown disinterest in attempting deep passes and seems resigned to be nothing but a game manager (a career 54 percent throwing safe outs to tight ends and running backs) playing behind a well coached great defensive team that runs the ball exceptionally well?

At least they used to run the ball well and play great defense. 

That certainly was Rex Ryan's game plan when he said they were going back to smash mouth football against the Patriots.  That formula (which by the way seems out of date in today's league...ex. look at the Steelers) did little to solve their losing streak last week.

But it's a formula they'll have to stick with given their offensive limitations.