What are some of the biggest questions heading into Week 13 of the NFL season?

1. Can the Texans survive with T.J. Yates at quarterback?
And by “survive” I mean win enough games to clinch the AFC South and make their first ever playoff appearance in franchise history. Apparently Gary Kubiak and his staff worked out Jeff Garcia and Jake Delhomme but for the moment, the starting job is firmly in the hands of Yates, who has zero experience outside of the two and a half quarters he played on Sunday. Now, Yates did have an impressive Pro Day back in April and does come from a pro style offense under North Carolina offensive coordinator John Shoop and head coach Butch Davis. He also impressed the Houston coaching staff this offseason and was considered a “sleeper” but some in the draft. But he’s a fifth-round pick and a developmental quarterback. He was never supposed to see the field this year and now all of a sudden the Texans’ playoff hopes are on his shoulders (for the moment, at least). Talk about pressure. This weekend the Texans play the Falcons, who have a solid run defense and who will certainly challenge Houston’s tough defense, unlike Jacksonville did last Sunday. It’ll be interesting to see how Yates on the Texans fare this week.

2. Can the Giants hand the Packers their first loss?
“Detroit and New York” were the two games most people pointed to as the games in which the Packers could suffer their first loss of the season. But after Green Bay somewhat easily disposed of the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, and following the Giants’ pitiful effort in New Orleans on Monday, it’s likely that there are less people on the New York bandwagon this week. If Aaron issues getting past New York. Granted, the Giants usually play better when their backs are against the wall but their backs were pressed firmly against the wall in New Orleans and they didn’t bother showing up. Thus, it makes you wonder if this isn’t another one of the G-Men’s late-season collapses under Tom Coughlin and Green Bay is just going to burn house down. We’ll find out soon…

3. Can the Bengals knock off the Steelers?
Just when you thought they would go quietly into that good night, the Bengals pulled off a come-from-behind victory last Sunday against the Browns and remain in Baltimore and Pittsburgh’s rearview mirror. That said, Cincinnati has to beat Pittsburgh this weekend if the Bengals are going to have any chance of making the playoffs this season. They’re not mathematically out if they lose but they have to prove to themselves that they can beat one of the two best teams in the AFC North. They fell to the Steelers by a touchdown at home three weeks ago but if they can win in Pittsburgh this weekend then the Bengals must be viewed as a legit contender.

4. Will the Cowboys seize control of the NFC East?
With the Giants’ loss to the Saints on Monday night, the Cowboys now have sole possession of first place in the NFC East. And seeing as how the Giants host the undefeated Packers on Sunday and the Cowboys play the 4-7 Cardinals, Dallas has a great opportunity to take a two-game lead in the division. But this is the Cowboys – the same team that needed overtime to beat the hapless Redskins in Week 11 and who were taken to the brink by the three-win Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day. (In defense of Dallas, Miami was on a three-game winning streak.) My point is that the ‘Boys have yet to put together that one signature win of 2011 and haven’t played a team with a winning record since Week 6 at New England. I wouldn’t be shocked if Arizona gives Dallas a game on Sunday.

5. The Broncos can’t keep winning this way, can they?
Actually yes, they probably can. At least this Sunday they can, because they travel to Minnesota to play a Vikings team that may or may not have Adrian Peterson (ankle) for a second straight week. There’s certainly no reason to believe that the Broncos can’t come away with another 16-13 victory as Denver’s defense stymies another opponent and Tim Tebow rushes for the game-winning score as time expires. Whatever “it” is, Denver has it as all of the players believe in Tebow despite his massive shortcomings as a passer. If the Vikings can’t figure the Broncos’ defense out then it’s going to be another long afternoon for Christian Ponder and Co.

We are a quarter of the way through the NFL season, and there are lots of wacky things happening. The Chiefs are 3-0 and the only undefeated team. That’s a far cry from last year, when the Colts and Saints were unbeaten almost all the way to the end of the 2009 campaign. There are also some interesting candidates emerging for MVP consideration, as well as for Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year. And like last year, we’ll start to analyze them in power rankings fashion. For this week and maybe the next few, we’ll put this in one post and give three names for each category. Around the halfway point of the season, more candidates will emerge so we will separate things out. Sound good? Right. Let’s go……..

MVP Power Rankings

1. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles—Do we even have to spell this out? He steps in for Kevin Kolb in Week 1 and almost leads the Eagles to victory against the Packers. Then he wins against Detroit and Jacksonville before having his ribs crushed on a meaningless play vs. Washington last Sunday, knocking him out of the game early. Kolb comes back in, and the Eagles lose. Vick is averaging 200 yards passing per game, has 6 TDs and no interceptions, and is also averaging 7.2 yards per rush on 26 carries and one TD on the ground. He has a QB rating of 108.8 while Kolb’s is 71.1. Simply put, this team is dangerous with Vick, and not scaring anyone without him. That’s the very definition of MVP.

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans—The Texans were tied with Oakland 14-14 last week in the third quarter, and Foster had been benched for personal reasons by Gary Kubiak. He came in mid-way through the second quarter, and while Derrick Ward had been carrying the load acceptably, Foster opened things up with a 74-yard touchdown, which ignited the Texans to 17 unanswered points. He has 689 all-purpose yards (172 yards per game) and 5 total TDs. That’s not just fantasy magic, that’s plain magic.

3. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers—Kevin Greene is the linebackers’ coach for the Packers, and that guy was nasty when he played. He’s made Matthews his pet project, and Matthews has responded to the tune of 7 sacks through four games. That’s on pace to shatter Michael Strahan’s NFL record of 22.5 sacks. Matthews just has a sick nose for the ball, too, and is around it on almost every play. And the Pack needs him, because with no running game to speak of, the pressure can’t all be on Aaron Rodgers and his receivers.

Honorable mention: Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

COY Power Rankings

1. Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams—The Rams were giving up 31 points per game in 2009, and so far this season they are giving up 13 per game. Spags is a defensive guru…remember the 2007 Giants and what they did to Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo, Brett Favre and Tom Brady in the postseason? Well, he’s finally got that D humming and his upstart Rams, led by rookie QB Sam Bradford, are 2-2 and atop a weak NFC West. It’s too early to anoint this team a division winner, but it’s not nearly out of the realm, either.

2. Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs—You can’t really not put a 3-0 team here when nobody else is undefeated. This, despite the fact that the guy is saving Jamaal Charles touches like he’s hoarding cookies under his bed.

3. Rex Ryan, New York Jets—His team is 3-1, including 3-0 in the division, and the only loss being by a 10-9 score to the Ravens. They have scored 106 points while giving up 61, a league best differential of 45 points. The Jets are for real, and they can back up all that swagger that trickles down from their head coach.

Honorable mention:Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears; Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

ROY Power Rankings

1. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams—Bradford was a winner at Oklahoma and he carries himself like a winner in St. Louis, something this franchise desperately needed at the quarterback position. Bradford has thrown for 944 yards in four games with 6 TDs and 6 interceptions. That’s a pace for 3776 yards with 24 TDs and 24 picks. If this kid can limit his picks, and lead his team to a division title, he’ll practically be a lock for the Pro Bowl. But that’s still a big “if” at this point.

2. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions—We all know he’s a beast, but he’s already racked up 15 tackles and 3 sacks. The Lions still have a ways to go on defense, but this young anchor has already made an impact.

3. Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions—Despite being slowed by injury, Best won the starting RB gig in Detroit and has responded with and average of 98 all-purpose yards per game with 5 touchdowns. Not only is this something the Lions haven’t had the likes of since *maybe* Barry Sanders, but it takes so much pressure off of Calvin Johnson to carry the offense.

Honorable mention: Rolando McClain, Oakland Raiders

Over the weekend, the Associated Press reported that the Eagles were seriously considering dumping Michael Vick, although the rumor was quickly denied by reputable NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN, as well as the team itself.

But what if the Eagles decided to part ways with Vick in wake of his latest off-field situation? Would they be comfortable releasing him with no veteran to backup the inexperienced Kevin Kolb next season?

Considering Vick was mostly used out of the Wildcat formation last year, the answer to that question is easy. Jeff Garcia, the veteran QB who has history with the Eagles, would be the most logical option if Vick were released. Garcia is already well versed in Andy Reid’s offense and despite his weak arm strength, he’s a better passing quarterback than Vick, who may have a rocket attached to his left shoulder but whose accuracy remains a major issue.

Another option the Eagles might have is one that was brought up by ESPN and that’s Troy Smith, who probably could be had for the right price. The former Heisman Trophy winner is rotting behind Joe Flacco in Baltimore and would like the opportunity to start somewhere else. Kolb is entrenched as the starter right now in Philly, but that doesn’t mean Smith wouldn’t have the opportunity to unseat him if he starts to struggle at any point during the season.

The point is that Vick isn’t worth the trouble for the Eagles. Reid’s experiment with him in the Wildcat last year often produced poor results and at 30 year’s old, it’s not like the former No. 1 overall pick has regained his lightening-quick speed. (He’s reportedly in better shape than he was last year, but that doesn’t mean he’s the athlete he once was.)

I would stop short of calling Vick expendable, but he’s certainly not worth the headache if he gets into even an ounce of trouble with the league over the Quanis Phillips shooting. And truth be told, the Eagles missed out on a golden opportunity to trade him this offseason by asking for a second round pick (which was way too high) in exchange for his services.

There’s nothing worse for an organization then when it sinks a ton of money into a player that was supposed to turn around a franchise and instead he turns out to be a Grade A bust. As part of our ongoing Decade Debate series, here is a list of the 10 worst NFL free agent signings of the past decade. Whether it was because of performance, injury or the player’s attitude (or a combination of the lot), these signings just didn’t pan out.

10. Chuck Smith, Panthers, 2000/LeCharles Bentley, Browns, 2006

These players are listed together because they both fell victim to the same curse at separate times during the decade. After finishing as the Falcons’ all-time leader in sacks at 58.5, Smith signed a lucrative five-year, $21 million deal with the Panthers. But after playing just two games for Carolina, a knee injury cost him the rest of the season, as well as his career. If only Bentley were fortunate enough to play two games. After signing a six-year, $36 million deal that included $12.5 million in guaranteed money, Bentley ruptured a patellar tendon on his first day of training game, which led to a series of staph infections that almost led to doctors having to amputate his leg. The Browns essentially paid him $16 million for zero games and while injuries are to blame for both of these players’ misfortunes, they were nevertheless busted free agent signings for their respective teams.

9. Edgerrin James, Cardinals, 2006

The Cardinals opened up their wallet for James, who was coming off two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons with the Colts. But after shelling out a four-year, $30 million contract and committing $11.5 million in bonuses to the 28-year old back, James failed to rush for 4.0 YPC in each of his three seasons in Arizona. In his final year in the desert, James lost his starting job to Tim Hightower and managed only 514 yards on 133 carries with three touchdowns. Outside of a decent (and that’s putting it generously) effort in the postseason last year, James was a huge disappointment in Arizona.

8. Jevon Kearse, Eagles, 2004

Kearse signed a record-breaking deal for a defensive linemen in 2004 when he inked an eight-year, $65 million contract with a $16 million signing bonus. He played well in the Eagles’ Super Bowl season in 2004 and again in 2005, but his sack numbers dropped from 9.5 in his last year with the Titans, to 7.5 in his first season with Philadelphia. He played well again in 2005, but a knee injury ransacked his 2006 season and everything went down hill from there. He was accused of partying too much in the offseason of 2007 and then his production dipped so much during the season that he was actually benched in Week 11 for Juqua Thomas. The Eagles cut their losses the following offseason.

7. Daryl Gardner, Broncos, 2003

After handing him a seven-year, $34.8 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus, the former Dolphin and Redskin was suspended twice by the Broncos for conduct detrimental to the team and was a cancer in the locker room. He wound up playing in just five games for Denver, starting just two of them. The Broncos finally waived the ineffective, overpaid defensive tackle after reaching an undisclosed settlement after the 2003 season.

6. Ahman Green, 2007, Texans

In desperate need of a full-time back, Houston signed Green to a four-year, $23 million contract in order to reunite him with his former head coach Mike Sherman. The problem is that Green was coming off a serious injury and in only two seasons with the Texans, he finished with a paltry 554 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games. The injury-prone back could never stay healthy and thus, was dumped in February of 2009.

5. David Boston, Chargers, 2003

San Diego signed the brash, destructive Boston to a seven-year, $47 million deal, which included $12 million in guarantees over the first two seasons. At the time, it was the richest contract given to a player in Chargers’ history and Boston rewarded the team by catching 70 passes for 880 yards and seven touchdowns. Of course, he was also suspended one-game for clashing with strength coach Dave Redding and also had separate disputes with teammate Reche Caldwell and head coach Marty Schottenheimer. After blowing $12 million on the receiver, the Bolts traded him to Miami after just one season in San Diego.

4. Jeff Garcia, Browns, 2004

The Browns thought they finally found their answer at quarterback when they signed the 34-year-old Garcia to a four-year deal worth $25 million in 2004. He had been to three Pro Bowls with the 49ers and provided the veteran leadership that Cleveland desperately needed. But in his first training camp, the veteran complained about not getting enough playing time and also bitched about the coaching methods of Butch Davis and Terry Robiskie. In only 10 starts with the Browns, he finished with a 3-7 record and even recorded a 0.0 QB rating in the second game of the season. He was released after just one season in Cleveland before going on to being a free agent bust for the Lions.

3. Adam Archuleta, Redskins, 2006

Hey, what do you know – another horrible free agent deal orchestrated by the mastermind, Daniel Snyder. After signing a seven-year, $35 million deal with $10 million in guaranteed money, Archuleta rode the bench for most of his first (and only) season with the Redskins. Despite being the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time, he finished with zero interceptions and one sack. The only saving grace for the Redskins was that they were able to dump Archuleta (and his $5 million bonus) on the Bears in a trade that following March. After just one season in Chicago, the Bears released him and now the former first round pick is out of work.

2. Javon Walker, Raiders, 2008

The deal that the Raiders gave Walker in 2008 should be proof alone that Al Davis has nothing left between the ears. Despite being released by the Broncos after missing half of the 2007 season due to injuries, Davis handed Walker a six-year, $55 million deal with $16 million in guarantees. His first season started off with a bang, as he was beaten and robbed in Las Vegas and then was placed on injured reserve after catching only 15 passes and one touchdown in seven games. So far this season, he’s played in three games and has exactly zero catches for zero yards. Good thing Oakland only owes him $27 million in the first three years of his deal.

1. Deion Sanders, Redskins, 2000

After the Cowboys cut him in a salary cap dump, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder swooped in and handed Sanders a ludicrous seven-year, $56 million deal with an $8 million signing bonus. After signing the brash corner, Snyder deemed Sanders “the ultimate weapon in football.” But while he did intercept four passes that season, Sanders was ineffective as a punt returner and his attitude rubbed loyal Redskins fans the wrong way. Given the tremendous class and leadership that Darrell Green exhibited during his time in Washington, “Neon Deion” acted like a prime time ass. Sanders clearly wasn’t the same player that he was in previous seasons, yet Snyder felt it was a wise to pay him as such. Making matters worse, Sanders essentially demanded to be released following just one season in our nation’s capital because he didn’t want to play for coach Marty Schottenheimer. Talk about not getting what you paid for.

Honor Mention: Emmitt Smith (Cardinals/2003); Kerry Collins (Raiders/2004); Warren Sapp (Raiders/2004); Joe Johnson (Packers/2002); Marco Rivera (Cowboys/2005); Jeff George (Redskins/2000); Dexter Jackson (Cardinals/2003); Jeremiah Trotter (Redskins/2002).

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Raiders head coach Tom Cable has officially named JaMarcus Russell his starting quarterback.

Raiders coach Tom Cable made the unstunning declaration during a conference call, all while lamenting how Jeff Garcia’s calf strain kept a true quarterback competition from breaking out in training camp.

It’s not that Cable wanted Garcia to beat out Russell. The job was Russell’s to lose. It’s just that Cable hoped Garcia would use his experience and fiery attitude to spur Russell to greater growth.
This is the season Russell has to step up and stop relying on the excuse that he’s still learning. He’s entering his third year and while Oakland doesn’t have the greatest line in which to play behind, Al Davis has surrounded Russell with more than enough playmakers to be effective.

I don’t think the Raiders are expecting Russell to post a 100-plus QB Rating and lead the league in touchdowns. But they do expect him to look more comfortable in the pocket, not overthrow his receivers by 20 feet and most importantly, to work hard and be a leader.

According to a report by the National Football Post’s Michael Lombardi, Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s work ethic continues to be called into question.

2. The work ethic of quarterback JaMarcus Russell is still being questioned by many who have worked with him in the past and are working with him now. After he issued a call to his teammates to practice and finish the OTA days strong, he then disappeared and was AWOL on the last day. Russell must learn that talent alone is not going to make him successful. Dedication to becoming a better player is what he needs.

Assuming this report is true (I’m not at Oakland’s practice facility everyday), Russell is in for a wake up call soon enough. I guarantee you if Russell isn’t busting his ass, Jeff Garcia (who the Raiders signed in the offseason) is. Garcia might be an aging vet and limited on the field in terms of arm strength, but he’s incredibly feisty and wants to play.

Russell isn’t long for the NFL if he won’t work. It’ll be interesting to see if more reports like Lombardi’s come to light over the summer once training camp begins.

Jeff Garcia recently told Chris Myers in a radio interview that he believes he gives the Raiders the best chance of winning.

Garcia remained diplomatic, but there was a subtle shift in his stance during the radio interview with Chris Myers, particularly in this passage:

“Well, I’m not going to say that things can’t change and I understand that the role I have basically assumes going into Oakland knowing that JaMarcus was drafted to be the starting quarterback there. But I think there has to be some realization at some point as to putting the best players on the field that are you going to give you the best chance to win.

“Now, if JaMarcus is that guy, then he definitely deserves to be on the field and should be on the field. But if for some reason with what I bring as a player, from a competitive nature, and just the intensity and emotion that I bring to the field, and the knowledge of the game that I have – if that gives us a better chance to win football games, then that decision is going to have to be left up to the coach and hopefully he can make the right decision for the team.

“Because that’s really what it’s all about – it’s about the team, it’s not about protecting egos, or protecting investment dollars, it’s about what’s going to give this team a chance to win football games. And honestly, if JaMarcus can be that guy, then more power to him, because that’s what he was drafted to do for the team. But it doesn’t always seem to work out that way.”

Even though he’s limited as a passer, I don’t necessarily disagree with Garcia saying he gives the Raiders a better chance to win than Russell. Garcia does have more experience and even though he only has one full season under his belt, Russell has only shown vague flashes of potential so far.

Then again, it’s not like Russell has had Fort Knox protecting him and he’s also had to endure the changing of a couple offensive coordinators and one head coach. Those aren’t favorable conditions for any quarterback, nevertheless one that has only played in 19 games.

Garcia needs to relax. I know he’s a competitive guy and he did get the Eagles and Bucs to the playoffs two of the last three seasons, but it’s not like he set the world on fire when he was given the opportunity to be a starter in Cleveland and Detroit before then. If he’s better than Russell, then I’m sure he’ll get the opportunity to play at some point. But the Raiders didn’t invest a number one overall pick and $61 million dollars to not give Russell every chance to prove he can succeed.