NFL Week 16: 6 Burning Questions We May Get Answered in the NFL This Week

The 2011 NFL regular season is beginning to come to a close, and the excitement is in full force.  The NFL fans are all sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to see what the end of the season holds.

There are coaches on the hot seat, teams on the verge of the playoffs and players who still are being questioned.  With time running out, it's do-or-die time in the football world.

As we enter Week 16, these are some of the questions that could get answered after Week 16 ends.

How Good Is Alex Smith...Really?

Love him or hate him, you've got to give Alex Smith credit where it's due.  With a well-performing team around him, he has stepped up his game.

His level of competence has significantly risen and we're starting to see a guy who doesn't throw interceptions as if that's what he's supposed to do.  With 16 touchdowns and only five picks, San Francisco fans are finally excited again.

However, how much of the 49ers' success can really be attributed to Smith?  While he's been competent and efficient, effectiveness hasn't been his strength.

Like the Denver Broncos, San Francisco is driven by a good running game and lights out defense.  However, this week that running game is going to Seattle, where a lot of running backs don't fare so well.  That means that Alex Smith may have to take control and be the reason for a victory.

I still question his decision making abilities and how well he can throw down field.  He's been winning, but the rough part of the year is approaching—we may see a glimpse of reality if Smith struggles against Seattle this week.

Can John Skelton Get the Cardinals to a Winning Season?

We've spent a lot of this season in Tebow-mania, the Manning injury, and the record-breaking performances of Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

No one is talking about the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback, John Skelton.  With Kevin Kolb down to injury, Skelton has come in and gone 5-1.  His stats aren't great, as he has eight touchdowns and ten interceptions, but to be fair, five of those picks came in his only two games that were bad.

If we remove those two games, Skelton has eight touchdowns to only five picks.  In addition, Skelton has been above 280 yards three times.

Skelton also gets help from his running game in Beanie Wells, and the defense has been stepping up recently.  They're not great overall, but their last few performances have yielded good numbers.

This week, the Cardinals fly to Cincinnati to face a tough Bengals' defense in what is a do-or-die game for both teams. 

Whether or not Skelton gets the Cardinals to the playoffs is irrelevant right now—they need too much help.  Right now, I think it's enough to see if he can get them to a winning record after the abysmal 1-6 mark that Kevin Kolb was able to establish. 

Can Dallas Bounce Back Against the Eagles?

On October 30, Dallas was dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that ended 34-7.  Nothing was pretty about that game.

This Sunday, the Cowboys will get a shot at revenge in a game that could clinch them the NFC East (given the Giants lose).  However, it won't be so easy.

Philadelphia is pretty much back at full strength and have played very well since their loss in Seattle.  Michael Vick was back to his 2010 form last week against the Jets.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are without DeMarco Murray which has proven to be hurtful to their offense.  The injury bug is beginning to hit the Cowboys hard, making it more difficult to matchup with the Eagles, who were once considered a dream team. 

More recently, the Eagles have begun to look like it.  Sunday's game between these two will be extremely physical.

Will Kansas City End the Raiders' Playoff Hopes and Keep Their Own Alive?

There's no doubt that the Kansas City Chiefs have taken a step back in 2011, but their victory over the Green Bay Packers stunned everyone.  Only Chief fans thought they had a chance and even then, I'll bet that crowd was limited.

Under the leadership of Kyle Orton, the Chiefs have an offense.  Jackie Battle won't be burning anyone in the room game, and Thomas Jones' age is really beginning to show.  Despite a subpar 2011 performance, Kansas City is still alive in the AFC playoff picture.

This week, they've got a pivotal game against the Oakland Raiders.  Whoever loses this game will be eliminated from contention.  Kansas City's only hope for the playoffs is for everyone in the AFC West to finish 8-8 or better—they win tiebreakers that way.

The Chiefs' pass defense, even without Eric Berry, has done very well this season, being ninth in the NFL.  Toss in that the offense is now alive and well, and the Chiefs may shock everyone by sneaking into the postseason.

Will the Jets Further Trash the Giants' Season?

In the battle for New York, the Giants' potent and powerful offense will face the Jets' quick and agile defense.  Both teams' best interests are to win this game.

The Giants could be fully knocked out of the postseason with a loss.  If the Jets lose, they leave the door wide open for the Bengals to take advantage and control their own destiny.  Something's got to give here.

Since winning the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, the Giants have become notorious for having a great first half of the season, only to watch themselves fall apart down the stretch.  The only man that's really free from blame in 2011 is Eli Manning.

As for the Jets, they've been quietly (kind of surprising and ironic) having a decent season, despite having bumps and bruises along the way.  Their defense is just as strong as it's ever been and the offense has been doing as much as it can, though that's limited.

With the Giants' defense being as incompetent as it has been as of late, I don't see them being able to get themselves together in order to beat the tough New York Jets.  Mark Sanchez is capable of taking advantage and dooming the New York Giants.

Will Norv Turner's Fate Be Sealed This Sunday?

Personally, anything short of a Super Bowl title is damning to Norv Turner.  He's just not that good.

However, should the Chargers wind up 9-7 and in the playoffs, you'd have to tip your hat to the guy—that would solidify him as a champ in December.  Playing great this late in the season says a lot about a team.

In Week 16, San Diego will go into Detroit to face a Lions' team that is looking to solidify a playoff spot with a win.  You can bet that both teams will be playing at the top of their games.

A loss for the Chargers eliminates them from playoff contention, which could automatically eliminate any chance that Turner returns for yet another mediocre campaign in San Diego.  He's had some good regular season performances, but Turner has already caught on fire from his hot seat being way too hot.