NO TEAM IS ABOVE QUESTION FOR STRETCH RUN
7-1 Cowboys, Patriots have issues to face
As we hit midseason, every NFL team has questions. Jones (AFC) and Davis (NFC) look at the one big question facing each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Can Percy Harvin help the passing game? He retired this season but decided to return Nov. 1. Harvin’s biggest issue in his career has been injuries.
Miami Dolphins: What will they get from QB Ryan Tannehill? He remains one of the most frustratingly inconsistent players in the NFL, and his stats through eight games — with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions — are mediocre. But with a threegame winning streak, there are signs he might be adjusting to coach Adam Gase’s offense.
New England Patriots: Will they regret trading LB Jamie
Collins? The Patriots are tied for 28th in the league in sacks (13). While Collins contributed only one of those, New England could need a more substantial pass rush in the postseason, and the question is, where will that come from? New York Jets: Who is the quarterback of the future?
With the season seemingly lost, it might be time for them to find out what they have in their two young backups, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. The Jets need to know if either will pan out or if they need to keep looking. AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: What’s wrong with QB Joe Flacco? He has thrown only three TD passes in the last six games, and his passer rating for the season (76.0) is well below his career average. Flacco missed practice time recently because of a sore shoulder and appears to still be recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.
Cincinnati Bengals: Can they make the playoffs? To rebound from a 3-4-1 start, QB Andy Dalton and the offense must figure out a way to improve in the red zone. If TE Tyler Eifert can finally stay healthy, he could be a major help. Cleveland Browns: Will they win a game? The only NFL team to go 0-16 was the 2008 Detroit Lions. Four of the Browns’ losses have been by six points or fewer, which means they have been competitive. Yet it’s hard to look at the schedule and find a probable win.
Pittsburgh Steelers: How effective can QB Ben Roethlis
berger be? He returned Sunday, less than three weeks after surgery on his meniscus. Roethlisberger has proved he’s one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league, but he needs to find his pre-injury touch quickly for a team that has lost three in a row.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Can QB Brock Osweiler connect with
WR DeAndre Hopkins? One of the reasons Osweiler chose the Texans last spring was the offensive pieces they had in place — namely Hopkins. Yet through eight games, Hopkins has just 434 receiving yards (on 40 catches). Indianapolis Colts: Can the
defense be fixed? Their disappointing start can’t be blamed on QB Andrew Luck, as the cast around him hasn’t always been very good. The defense ranks near the bottom of the league in every major category, including last in the AFC in pass defense. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will
Gus Bradley get fired? The issues with his team go beyond losing. It’s how the Jags are losing, with dismal quarterback play from Blake Bortles and an undisciplined defense.
Tennessee Titans: Can QB Marcus Mariota be more con
sistent? He isn’t exactly having a sophomore slump, but there is a clear connection between his good games and the Titans’ wins, and his poor days and losses. Sunday, he had two turnovers returned for
TDs in a loss to the San Diego Chargers.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Will they find a running game? With C.J. Anderson out for the rest of the season, rookie Devontae Booker will take on a more prominent role. But it will be hard to replace not just Anderson’s tough running style, but his savviness as a pass protector.
Kansas City Chiefs: When will we see Justin Houston? Perhaps the most impressive thing about their 6-2 start is that they’ve done it without arguably their two best players — RB Jamaal Charles and OLB Houston. Charles is out for the season, but once Houston is cleared to play, what impact can he make? Oakland Raiders: Will the defense let them down? For all the excitement of being 7-2, the defense has been disappointing. Oakland is ranked 27th in total defense and tied for 28th in sacks with 13, a stunningly low figure given the expectations for the pass-rushing combo of Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin.
San Diego Chargers: How safe is Mike McCoy’s job? Wins against the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons might have cooled his hot seat, and it’s not McCoy’s fault the Chargers have lost key players to injuries. But at some point, ownership might get frustrated with close losses and conservative game management.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Do they stick with Dak Prescott? The rookie quarterback has been instrumental in positioning Dallas as the NFC’s current No. 1 playoff seed. But would Tony Romo’s command of the playbook and experience provide more upside in postseason? Good luck with this one, Jerry Jones.
New York Giants: Can they establish offensive balance? If the season ended now, they’d be a wild-card entry. But with the league’s worst run game, they’re predictable and asking quarterback Eli Manning to keep throwing often leads to less-than-desirable results.
Philadelphia Eagles: Can the defense carry them? Coordinator Jim Schwartz might parlay this into another head coaching job. But his seventhranked defense might have to take