How effective will Roethlisberger be for Steelers? One question for every NFL team
As we hit midseason, every team still has questions. Lindsay H. Jones (AFC) and Nate Davis (NFC) look at the one big question facing each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Can Percy Harvin help the passing game? Harvin retired earlier this year, but decided to return to the Bills on 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 the first eight weeks – with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions – are mediocre. But with a two-game winning streak, there are signs Tannehill might be adjusting to head coach Adam Gase’s offense.
New England Patriots: Will they regret trading LB Jamie Collins? The Patriots are currently 25th in the league in sacks, with 13, and while Collins contributed only one of those, the Patriots 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 lost, it might be time for the Jets to find out what they have in their two young backups, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. They need to know if either of them 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 two TDs in the last four games, all losses, and his QB rating (75.4) is nearly 10 points below his career average. Flacco missed practice time recently because of a sore shoulder, but he also looks like he’s still not comfortable from ACL surgery last year.
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Cincinnati Bengals: Can they make the playoffs? To rebound from 3-4-1, QB Andy Dalton and the offense are going to have to figure out a way to improve in the red zone. If tight end Tyler Eifert can finally stay healthy, he could be a major help.
Cleveland Browns: Will they win a game? The NFL hasn’t had a team go 0-16 since the 2008 Detroit Lions. Four of the Browns’ losses have been by five points or less, which means they have been competitive, yet it’s hard to look at the schedule and pinpoint any sure-fire wins.
Pittsburgh Steelers: How effective will QB Ben Roethlisberger be when he returns? It could be as early as Sunday in Baltimore, but how much can he do on his surgically repaired knee? Roethlisberger has proven he’s one of the toughest QBs in the league, but he’ll still need to be able to plant his left leg and move around the pocket.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Can QB Brock Osweiler connect with DeAndre Hopkins? One of the reasons Osweiler chose the Texans last spring was the offensive pieces the Texans had in place – namely Hopkins. And yet, through eight weeks, Hopkins has just 434 receiving yards (on 40 catches).
Indianapolis Colts: Can the defense be fixed? The disappointing start can’t be blamed on Andrew Luck – though the cast around him hasn’t always been very good. The defense ranks near the bottom of the league in every major category, including second-to-last in pass defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Gus Bradley get fired? The issues with Bradley’s team isn’t just the losing. It’s how they’re losing – with dismal quarterback play from Blake Bortles and with undisciplined play on defense.
Tennessee Titans: Can QB Marcus Mariota be more consistent? 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. In each of the four losses, he’s completed 61 % or less of his passes.
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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 the 5-2 start is they’ve done it without arguably their two best players – running back Jamaal Charles and outside linebacker Justin 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 the Raiders down? For all of the excitement of 6-2, the defense has been disappointing. Oakland is ranked No. 31 in total defense, and are No. 28 in sacks, with just 11, 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 Denver and Atlanta may have cooled the hot seat and it’s not McCoy’s fault the Chargers have lost key players to injury, 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.
New York Giants: Can they establish offensive balance? If the season ended today, they'd be a wild card entry. But with the league's worst run game, they're predictable, and asking 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 eighth-ranked D might have to take it up a notch as QB Carson Wentz endures more rookie moments with an already conservative offense that lacks star power (and its right tackle).
Washington Redskins: Will they survive post-bye? Their next three opponents (Vikings, Packers, Cowboys) are above them in the standings. Following that stretch, the 'Skins are on the road in three of their next four games. Seems like a thin margin for error, especially without suspended LT Trent Williams.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: Can they build positive momentum for 2017? The coaches are under siege. All of their quarterbacks are likely goners. Re-signing WR Alshon Jeffery remains a dilemma. So RB Jordan Howard, WR Cameron Meredith and OLB Leonard Floyd are left to sow seeds for a better future.
Detroit Lions: Does Jim Bob Cooter have more tricks up his sleeve? Since his 2015 promotion, the offensive coordinator, 32, has coaxed the best football yet from QB Matthew Stafford over the last 17 games. Peyton Manning has endorsed Cooter, who might command interviews for sexier jobs with a big finish.
Green Bay Packers: Is Aaron Rodgers ready to carry them? He finally looked like a two-time MVP Sunday – even in defeat – after appearing off his game much of the season. And with Green Bay decimated at RB and DB, he probably has to flourish in what may have to be a pass-heavy attack by necessity.
Minnesota Vikings: Where will points come from? They have just 11 offensive TDs and have averaged 10 points while hitting the wall the past two weeks. And now OC Norv Turner has hit the bricks.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Do they have enough defense? No one's scored more points or gained more yards. But the D has generated just eight turnovers, and only three teams are surrendering more points. Seems unfair – and unwise – to ask Matt Ryan to win a shootout every week.
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Carolina Panthers: Is another second-half surge on the way? Ron Rivera is 18-6 in the second half since 2013, going 7-1 twice. Carolina needs a 7-1 type of run to become the third team since the 1970 merger to reach postseason after a 1-5 start.
New Orleans Saints: Will the Drew Brees Show play in January? He must view Rodgers' and Ryan's situations with envy. For the 11th consecutive season, the offense ranks in the top six. But they can't run, and only the 49ers give up more points. That’s why this explosive team has missed the playoffs three of the last four years.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Who will help Jameis Winston and Mike Evans? The second-year QB may target his favorite WR 200 times – because what choice does he have? The Bucs are down to a fourth-string tailback, have no accomplished receivers beyond Evans, sport a defense burned for 626 yards in Week 8 ... and a rookie kicker who makes the head coach squeamish.
Will they win at home? A major reason Lovie Smith walked the plank after last season was his 3-13 record at Raymond James Stadium. Replacement Dirk Koetter is off to an 0-3 start in Tampa and will host the Falcons and Seahawks this month.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Can they adjust? Bruce Arians loves deep strikes that have made his offense historically potent. But with Carson Palmer's struggles compounded by an ineffective and battered O-line, the Cards are relying heavily on RB David Johnson, who's gained 159 more total yards than anyone in the league.
Los Angeles Rams: When does shrink wrap come off Jared Goff? QB Case Keenum is a nice little player (literally and figuratively). But his limitations have contributed to a three-game tailspin. The Rams face three of the NFL's four worst pass defenses (Panthers, Jets, Saints) the next four weeks, perfect confidence builders for their No. 1 pick.
San Francisco 49ers: What's the silver linings playbook? Their situation parallels Chicago's. Chip Kelly will almost surely have a new QB next year, which severely limits his ability to establish offensive continuity now (to the extent that's possible in his system anyway). A defense permitting the most points and rushing yards in the league is collateral damage.
Seattle Seahawks: Can they catch fire? Already atop a surprisingly weak NFC West, they usually hit high gear in November. Seahawks are 26-6 in the second half since 2012. But this year? With so many injuries, notably Russell Wilson's it may not be possible.
