NFL Predictions: 20 Burning Questions for Week 7

The trade deadline passed with a bang, and reporters, fans and teams alike are trying make sense of the smaller moves and bigger picture in the NFL.

The Raiders mortgaged their future on a quarterback who did not want to play in Cincinnati, has not had a great season since before knee surgery and has not thrown a pass since last year.

Only the Raiders can make that move.

But that is not the only thing happening right now in the National Football League. So many great things and so many questionable things make this a great season to be a fan. It also means there is more parity than ever among teams, and there is still a better than even chance that most teams (I said most) will be in the playoff hunt after Thanksgiving.

That said, there are also teams that need to give up the ghost and start looking at new coaches and players.

I think they know who they are.

Here are 20 burning questions that need to be answered.

20. What Did You Think of the Schwartz/Harbaugh Confrontation?

I think it was a lot about nothing. This is football. This is about guys swearing, slapping backs, shoving and being physical.

I'm glad there is some fire in these coaches. Maybe it translates into just how good these teams are this season?

Who knows, maybe we see them against each other in the playoffs.

19. Did the Jaguars Make the Right Move in Re-Signing Mike Sims-Walker?

I know it gives Blaine Gabbert another target.

Sims-Walker knows this offense, and what this amounts to is Sims-Walker resigning with the Jags for less than what they wanted to pay him before to keep him on the team.

If he helps open the passing game and Mike Thomas can be in the slot as a receiver instead of being the main threat, this is a good move.

18. Did the Raiders Pay Too Much for Carson Palmer?

Of course they did. This is the Raiders, remember.

Palmer is a quality passer who has not been the same since hurting his knee in the playoffs.

He has an accurate arm but needs to show he can lead a team to a winning record.

The Raiders are in a "win now" mentality.

All this did was make Jason Campbell a very hot commodity in the 2012 free agent market.

17. Will the Packers Lose a Game This Season?

YES!

But isn't it cool to play the "What if" game?

The Packers offense is the best in football, and it appears the defense is getting back on track.

All I can say is watch out to whoever is playing them from week to week.

16. How Good Are the 49ers?

Depending on your opinion, they are very good.

They beat the Eagles, Bucs and Lions in back-to-back-to-back games.

Jim Harbaugh knows what he is doing, and the San Francisco area fans are loving this.

15. How Big Will the Ravens Win on Monday Night Football?

OUCH! Hit me where it counts.

The Ravens travel to Jacksonville in a must-win game for the home team.

But in Lee Corso fashion, not so fast, my friend!

The Ravens should be able to win by at least 10 points and keep the rookie Blaine Gabbert scrambling all night.

14. Are the Saints Going to Fall Short of the Playoffs?

I don't see that happening, but who knows?

They lost to a Bucs team they should have beaten, and they were able to fully use receiver Marques Colston in their offensive game plan last week.

The coach played hurt, and the defense needs to step up.

There could be two teams from the NFC North and two teams from the NFC East vying for playoff spots. It will be interesting.

13. Do the Cowboys Look Like a Playoff Team?

Not right now!

They are the best 2-3 team in the league, but their quarterback play needs to be better.

Tony Romo is the enigma of the NFL right now, and there needs to be more consistency on offense for this team to get to the playoffs and move forward.

12. What Did the Loss by the Buffalo Bills Say to You?

That the team is good, but they are still growing.

I love games where the teams battle like that, and in the end, it is settled in the last few minutes.

The loss hurt the Bills in the standings, but hopefully, it helps the young team grow a bit.

11. Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder?

Ooooh, good one.

Gabbert looks like he is lost most of the time, and then he surprises us all with a great throw that only a strong-armed passer can make.

Ponder plays the Packers in his first start of the season. All I can say is, YIKES!

10. Why Wasn't Kyle Orton Traded?

He asked for one, but did not get one.

He is still a valuable asset to the Broncos.

If Tebow falters, does John Fox start Orton again, or does he see what Brady Quinn can do with the offense?

The soap opera continues.

9. Are the Bengals Real?

If they are, what a great story for the NFL.

The Bengals draft a quarterback and a star receiver, and they trade their veteran passer.

The defense is the best in the NFL, and the running game is picking up steam.

Maybe the Browns know what they are doing after all.

8. Will Colt McCoy Survive the Season in Cleveland?

He has to, doesn't he?

McCoy still gives this team the best chance to win.

He will remain the starter, and then the team can decide what to do with him after the season.

Jason Campbell may be an option next season, or they look to the draft for a new passer.

7. Who Should Have Been Traded on Tuesday but Wasn't?

That is not a fair question. There are many players who are being wasted in terms of talent. But trading them may not be the answer.

The NFL is tricky. Teams are cyclic. Records do not indicate their progress or the trouble a team is in.

6. Will Rex Grossman Play Again This Season?

I know this is John Beck's team right now. But, just like in Denver, who knows?

Grossman started out hot and cooled off quickly. Beck needs to prove this is his team. But does it also mean the Redskins are not as good as their record indicates?

And this means the NFC is a little tighter than we think.

5. What Did the Win Against Washington Do for the Eagles?

Hopefully it means there is a sense of urgency on the team and that Andy Reid lit a fire under all of them.

The offense can be the best in the league and the defense needs to play more consistently. This could also take some heat off management that has been maligned for spending so much and getting so little in return.

4. How Will Detroit Handle Its First Loss of the Season?

I don't think the Lions are on any kind of psychiatric alert or anything.

The Lions were bound to lose a game this season, probably more than one.

The best way to judge if this team is really ready to challenge for a title is to see how they react after losses and missed opportunities.

3. Are the Steelers Back on Track?

No.

Don't let the win over the Jaguars fool you. The team looked like a Super Bowl contender the first half of the game and almost gave it away in the second.

There needs to be a better run defense and consistency on the offense with the passing game. The running game looked like world beaters last Sunday.

2. Will Tim Tebow Win This Weekend in Miami?

It is ironic that he returns to Florida to play in a game that might cost the Dolphins head coach his job.

Tebow needs a win to prove critics wrong.

Tony Sparano needs a win to keep his job.

Two issues collide, and probably Denver wins.

1. Will the Winner of the AFC South Have More Than Nine Wins?

Hard to say.

I think Tennessee has the inside track right now if Chris Johnson plays better.

Houston will be without Andre Johnson for at possibly six weeks, and the offense looks different without him.

If Tennessee's offense continues to move the ball in the air, the running game should get better.

And Houston will miss the playoffs and Gary Kubiak will be out of a job.