1. How will the Seattle Seahawks respond without Percy Harvin?
This situation hurts the team in two ways; Harvin was always a threat for the Seahawks offense, whether he was productive or not and it’s also a distraction mid-week. Russell Wilson will have one less target and a lot of media attention going into a road matchup with the St. Louis Rams.
Just last week, the Rams held the San Francisco 49ers tough for a half on Monday Night Football. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin and tight end Zach Miller will need to continue stepping into a heavier role for the Seahawks to succeed.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos
This is one of the most anticipated Sunday night games of the year, because it features one of the league’s most vaunted offenses in the Broncos, and what’s supposed to be a rugged defense in the 49ers. Peyton Manning will face off against a depleted 49ers front seven in an attempt to break the all-time touchdowns record.
Can the 49ers stop Manning and his fast-paced offense? That will be the test for Jim Harbuagh and his team.
Are the Cleveland Browns for real?
It’s an unusual question to ask, as the Browns have been irrelevant for so long. However, a road matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars with a good chance to get to 4-2 on the season.
The Browns, led by Brian Hoyer, have won two straight games, including a 31-10 domination of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hoyer’s been much better than predicted, sitting in eighth in the league in passer rating.
Battle of division leaders: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Bengals and Colts have been two of the strongest teams in the NFL these past few weeks. They’ll meet in Indianapolis on Sunday with potential seeding on the line when playoff time comes early next year.
Andrew Luck has been strong, but it’s his 17th-ranked defense that has stepped up to allow the Colts to win four straight, including two over the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. The Bengals, on the other hand, have featured a balanced attack all season.
Cam Newton visits Lambeau Field
Newton and his team that struggled at times this year, but a tie at Cincinnati last week has to be a confidence boost. Newton has found a No.1 receiver in Kelvin Benjamin, but he can’t seem to hold onto any running back for longer than a week.
Heading into a big matchup with the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers, Newton may need to run more than he has this season. However, trouble lurks in the form of Julius Peppers on the Packers line.
Can Kirk Cousins lead the Washington Redskins?
Cousins has struggled lately in the starting role at quarterback, throwing three interceptions in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week. He’s still the starter for now, but the Redskins have lost four straight games heading into a matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Lucky for Cousins, the Titans own the 18th-best passing defense, meaning he could air it out much more than in the previous game. Could this be a breakout game for this offense? Cousins will have to protect the ball first.
Can the San Diego Chargers keep up with the Denver Broncos?
The Chargers have been one of the surprise teams in football this season, as quarterback Philip Rivers has led his team to a 5-1 record heading into a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Rivers leads the league in passer rating and has baffled opposing defenses all year.
However, the Chiefs’ defense is now pushover. It got to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots early and often just two weeks ago, so don’t expect the Chargers to get out of this one easily.
Are the Dallas Cowboys really this good?
The Cowboys certainly were not supposed to be 5-1 at this point in the season, especially coming off a win in Seattle. Yet, here Tony Romo and his team is with a home game against the reeling New York Giants.
Much of the success can be attributed to DeMarco Murray and his record-breaking pace, but can he keep it up? With a win over the Giants, the Cowboys will be 6-1 and will have to collapse to not make the playoffs.
Can the Chicago Bears keep pace in the NFC North?
Jay Cutler has been pretty solid this season, leading the Bears to a 3-3 record so far. However, a .500 record won’t cut it in a division with the Packers and Lions.
The Bears must get a home win, something they haven’t gotten yet this season, against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. It adds even more pressure knowing that they’re away in New England next week.