50 Burning NFL Questions That Have Yet to Be Answered

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we now enter the final stretch of the 2011 regular season.

The teams that have proven to be contenders for a Super Bowl title show up in a big way in the remaining games moving forward, while the pretenders show their ugly faces.

Entering this final stretch right into the playoffs, we still have loads of questions on our minds. 

In that spirit, allow me to kickoff the start of your weekend with 50 burning questions that have yet to be answered. 

Are the Green Bay Packers Good Enough to Go Undefeated?

It certainly appears so. 

The Green Bay Packers are now 11-0, and Aaron Rodgers is unstoppable. That's all I need to say. 

Can the Chicago Bears Win Without Jay Cutler?

The Chicago Bears suffered a major blow last week when they discovered that Jay Cutler had suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand and will miss the remainder of the season—talk about a huge buzz kill, right?

The Bears are 7-3 and look to be in perfect contention for a playoff spot, but this will now lay on the shoulders of Caleb Hanie. 

Is Andy Dalton Good Enough to Lead Cincinnati to a Playoff Berth?

At 6-4, the Cincinnati Bengals look real good—in fact, they look incredible considering that they are without Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

The only negative on Cincinnati's season is that they have lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, two teams that they need to beat in order to make the playoffs. 

Who knows if Andy Dalton is ready to step up and lead the Bengals to the postseason, but those two losses are definitely a bit alarming. 

Is Colt McCoy a Legitimate Starting Quarterback in the NFL?

We all need to keep in mind that the Cleveland Browns have no talent offensively and that Colt McCoy is still only in his second year in the NFL.

With that being said, Colt McCoy has played fairly well, as he's posted a 79.2 quarterback rating with 11 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. 

Was Christian Ponder Worth a First-Round Draft Pick?

Entering the 2011 draft, I would have never guessed that Christian Ponder was going to be picked 12th overall. In fact, I actually saw Ponder being a second-round selection. 

Ponder has played decent for the Minnesota Vikings thus far with a 67.3 quarterback rating, but we will have to just wait and see if he was worth the first-round draft choice. 

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers Good Enough to Make Another Super Bowl Appearance?

So far, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gone 7-3, but those three losses have came against the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.

The most alarming thing is that Pittsburgh was swept by the Ravens, and Baltimore now holds the tiebreaker. 

Are the Steelers good enough to finish atop of the AFC? Who knows?

Is Matthew Stafford a Great Quarterback?

Matthew Stafford has yet to be injured this season, which is a miracle considering his injury history.

Stafford has played extremely well for the Detroit Lions thus far, posting a 93.4 quarterback rating with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

In order to be a great quarterback, Stafford needs to lead the Lions to the playoffs and continue his success in games that matter. 

Can Joe Flacco Play an Elite Level?

Joe Flacco is one of the most confusing players in the NFL. At times, he looks like an elite quarterback, but then he goes right back to making rookie mistakes. It's almost impossible to read this guy.

With a 77.6 quarterback rating, Flacco has certainly been far to inconsistent to be considered a future elite quarterback. 

Can the Houston Texans Win Without Matt Schaub?

With Matt Schaub down for the year, this is the time for Matt Leinart to step up and prove that he's not a complete bust.

I hate to say it, but this is one question that we will have to simply wait and see what happens.

Can Atlanta's Defense Step Up and Contribute to a Super Bowl Run?

So far, it's been pretty damn good for the Atlanta Falcons defense, as they rank 15th in the NFL. 

The Falcons are 6-4 and look to have a solid shot at competing in the NFC South against the New Orleans Saints, but it's just a matter of stopping Drew Brees and the Saints offense—something that has been a huge challenge for Atlanta's defense over the years. 

Will the Indianapolis Colts Go Winless?

It certainly appears so. They are a bad football team. 

That's all I have to say. 

Was Cam Newton Worth the First Overall Pick in This Year's Draft?

As of right now, it definitely looks like that the Carolina Panthers made the right decision by drafting the Auburn product.

Cam Newton has been incredible thus far, as he's posted an 80.0 quarterback rating with 21 total touchdowns on the season. 

Can the Saints Compete with the Packers for the NFC Title?

In the very first game of the season, the New Orleans Saints fell just inches short of knocking off the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay escaped with an impressive 42-34 victory but the Saints proved that they can play with the Packers moving forward. 

Is Blaine Gabbert a Bust?

As of right now, I am going to say yes.

Why? Well, he has so much talent, but he's simply not producing despite having talented weapons like Maurice-Jones Drew and Marcedes Lewis. 

A putrid 64.4 quarterback rating does not impress me. 

What's Wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

At times, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like a playoff team, and then they fall flat on their faces. 

At 4-6, they have had a very inconsistent season. Perhaps they are just too young to win right now. 

Is Chris Johnson's Career Over?

I will say this: Chris Johnson is a complete idiot. He held out all of the entire preseason just to get a big paycheck and then came into camp being out of shape, and it shows. 

CJ2K has averaged only 3.2 yards per-carry. This is absolutely embarrassing. 

Can Ryan Fitzpatrick Be a Franchise Quarterback?

This is one question that will not be answered until sometime next year.

The Buffalo Bills gave Ryan Fitzpatrick a stellar seven-year contract worth a whopping $62.195 million back in October. Since, Fitzpatrick and the Bills have struggled tremendously. 

Is Jason Garrett a Legitimate Head Coach in the NFL?

Jason Garrett certainly knows football, but does he have head coaching material?

So far in the 2011 season, the Dallas Cowboys have posted a solid 7-4 record, which certainly indicates that Garrett may be doing a few things right. 

Why Don't the New York Jets Trust Mark Sanchez?

This may be something that we'll never know.

The New York Jets drafted Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick back in 2009, which certainly appears to be a reach considering how poorly Sanchez has played thus far.

However, Sanchez does have talent, but the Jets have put him on a short leash simply because they do not trust him. 

Are the Philadelphia Eagles a Bunch of Frauds?

You bet they are. There is no reason why a team this talented should be failing as much as they are.

However, the season is not over, and they could pull off some sort of a miracle and make a playoff run—which is highly unlikely. 

Can the New England Patriots Win the Playoffs?

This is something that we'll have to simply wait and see.

The New England Patriots have likely wrapped up the AFC East, as they're now 7-3. with the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills treading water with 5-5 records. 

New England is on a three-game losing streak in the playoffs and will look to turn around come January. 

Is Eli Manning an Elite Quarterback?

I hate to say it, but Eli Manning is probably the luckiest quarterback to ever play the game. I mean, this guy throws ducks left and right, and somehow, his wide receivers come up with the reception. It's crazy.

However, Manning's numbers do make a strong case for him to be considered an elite quarterback. A 94.7 quarterback rating is pretty damn good. 

Can Reggie Bush Be an Every Down Running Back?

I had zero faith in Reggie Bush entering 2011 with the Miami Dolphins, but he has found a way to produce. 

Despite starting off rather slow, the former USC Trojan has ran for 506 yards while scoring four touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. 

However, this does not mean that he can be an every-down running back. That has yet to be determined. 

Who Should Be the Starting Quarterback for the Washington Redskins?

Um, can I say neither? I mean, seriously, both John Beck and Rex Grossman should not be starting at quarterback in the NFL. 

End of story. 

Can Tim Tebow Succeed in the NFL?

As the Denver Broncos starting quarterback this season, Tim Tebow has posted a 4-1 record and turned around the franchise's season. They went from being laughable to being a playoff contender.

However, we will find out of Tebow can actually succeed in the NFL if he leads Denver to the playoffs. 

Can Carson Palmer Still Perform at an Elite Level?

I certainly hope so. 

The Oakland Raiders traded away two possible first-round draft picks in return for Carson Palmer. He better be able to perform at a high level. 

Are the San Francisco 49ers an Elite Football Team?

The San Francisco 49ers were unable to answer the bell on Thanksgiving, as they fell short against the Baltimore Ravens in the Harbaugh Bowl.

However, San Fran is still 9-2 and has the second best record in the NFL, behind the Green Bay Packers. 

Is Kevin Kolb the Answer for the Arizona Cardinals?

He simply hasn't played enough for us to know if he's the real deal or not.

In seven games this season, Kevin Kolb has posted a 77.8 quarterback rating while tossing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Arizona Cardinals. 

Will Norv Turner Be Fired?

It's unclear if Norv Turner's job is in jeopardy or not, but I certainly hope it is. 

The San Diego Chargers enter Week 12 on a five game losing streak, which is absolutely inexcusable. The Chargers are too talented to be losing five games in a row, and Turner should be fired immediately.  

Will Sam Bradford Overcome His Sophomore Slump?

2011 has been a huge letdown for Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams. 

After winning the 2010 Rookie of the Year, Bradford has been downright terrible this season. The Oklahoma product has posted a 70.9 quarterback rating while completing only 54.5 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Is Pete Carroll the Right Fit in Seattle?

So far, Pete Carroll has posted an 11-15 record as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, which is definitely mediocre.

We all understand that it takes time to win at the NFL level, but is Carroll a legitimate professional head coach, or is he better off in college? 

Will Jamaal Charles Be Able to Return to His Elite Level Next Season?

The worst possible thing happened to Jamaal Charles this season: He tore his ACL.

Many experts had believed that Charles was going to have a breakout year and perform at an elite level, but obviously, that did not happen.

Will Charles be able to return next season and play at an elite level with a repaired knee? Who knows?

Will Shonn Greene Ever Develop into a Lead Running Back?

What is wrong with Shonn Greene? At times, he's an incredible running back, and then he simply disappears.

When will the Jets give up on him? Ever since coming into the league in 2009, his numbers have been on the decline ever since, which is definitely alarming. 

Is Jake Locker the Answer in Tennessee?

Jake Locker simply hasn't played enough for people to see if he is the real deal and that he'll work out for the Tennessee Titans.

With that being said, in the time that Locker has played, he has looked pretty damn good as he's posted a 103.7 quarterback rating with two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Will the Indianapolis Colts Draft Andrew Luck?

Being the only winless team in the NFL, it does look like that the Indianapolis Colts will be awarded the first overall pick in next year's draft.

If so, will the Colts draft Andrew Luck, or will they trade the pick and keep Peyton Manning? 

All I know is that if they don't draft Luck, then their entire front office is completely insane. 

Can the Denver Broncos Successfully Run the Option in the NFL?

The option and the single wing offense died years ago at the professional level, but Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are bringing in back. 

However, it may be successful now, but will it last? I actually think it can be effective for many years to come. 

What Will the Carolina Panthers Do with Jimmy Clausen?

Cam Newton is the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers; there is no question about that.

So what will the Panthers do with Jimmy Clausen? Trade him? I think that's the most likely scenario. But how much value does he have? 

Is Aaron Rodgers the Best Player in the NFL?

According to the stats, there is no debate whether or not Aaron Rodgers is the best player in the NFL.

With that being said, I guess it's just an opinion, and it depends on the person you ask. 

Will Chad Ochocinco Ever Produce with the Patriots?

Chad Ochocinco has been the ultimate bust for the New England Patriots thus far.

Ochocinco has yet to score a touchdown as a Patriot and has no signs of improving. 

Will Tony Sparano Be Fired by the End of the Season?

There shouldn't be any debate to this consider. 

Yes, Tony Sparano will be fired by the end of the season. I guarantee it. 

Is A.J. Green Better Than Julio Jones?

There was no question about A.J. Green and Julio Jones being the top two wide receivers in this year's draft, but who's the better receiver?

Greene has been Andy Dalton's go-to-man in Cincinnati, while Matt Ryan has made Jones one incredible receiver in Atlanta.

Who do you think is better?  

Is Mike Shanahan's Job in Jeopardy?

This is a tough one, because as of right now, it appears that the Washington Redskins are "sucking for Luck."

However, will the front office buy that? Who knows. 

Mike Shanahan wants Andrew Luck. 

Does the Madden Curse Exist?

Look at all the previous players on Madden and now look at Peyton Hillis—he's been a complete non-factor this season, and the Cleveland Browns will likely release by the end of the season.

So, you tell me: Is the Madden curse real? 

When Will the Jacksonville Jaguars Fire Jack Del Rio?

This is a move that's long overdue. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have to fire Jack Del Rio—but when will they actually pull the trigger? 

Who Is the Best Team in the AFC?

It's a toss-up between the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who do you think is the best team? Personally, I believe that the Patriots are the team to beat in the AFC this year. 

Can Matt Leinart Turn Around His Career with the Houston Texans?

I hope so.

Matt Leinart has loads of talent, and now with Matt Schaub going down for the rest of the season, Leinart will have to step in and be the Houston Texans starter.

I really have faith in Leinart, and I have a feeling that he's matured quite the bit over the past year. 

Is LeSean McCoy the Best Running Back in the NFL?

LeSean McCoy has been absolutely lethal thus far in 2011.

McCoy has a total of 1,019 yards on the ground while averaging 5.4 yards per-carry and rushing in 10 scores as well as 34 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

As far as I'm concerned, he's the deadliest running back in the entire league. 

Can the Oakland Raiders Make Some Noise in the Playoffs?

I would actually love to see the Oakland Raiders make the playoffs in 2011.

The Raiders are a historic franchise, and it'd be a great story considering the recent passing of the great Al Davis. 

Is Calvin Johnson the Best Wide Receiver in the NFL?

Being nicknamed "Megatron" alone indicates that Calvin Johnson is an amazing athlete.

Johnson has had one phenomenal season thus far, as he's caught 59 passes for 974 yards and 11 touchdowns. In fact, no one has been really able to stop Johnson all year long. 

Do I think Megatron is the best in the game? Yes. 

What Two Teams Will Finish Their Seasons in Indy?

Well, isn't this an obvious one? We all would know who's going to be playing in Super Bowl XLVI.

Want to know my predictions? The Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots.

What about you? What are your predictions?