Bell: Questions to ponder heading into NFL playoffs

The answers will be provided soon enough, where it matters most â?? on the field.

But as another NFL postseason kicks off this weekend, the questions persist.

A few things to wonder about â?¦

How dangerous are the Packers with Aaron Rodgers back?

Green Bay's wait for its former MVP quarterback to return from a broken collarbone was rewarded by the best-case scenario.

You know what they say: Just get in. Anything can happen.

Like last weekend, when Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb on a 46-yard, fourth-down heave at Chicago that won the NFC North crown. Or like three years ago, when the Packers got in as a sixth seed and won it all.

The Packers (8-7-1) were 6-3 this season in games that Rodgers started and finished. But there can be no magical playoff run this time unless Green Bay, suspect defense in tow, can find a way to handle a physical 49ers team that it has succumbed to three times since the start of the 2012 season.

Can the Saints finally win a road playoff game?

With the forecast for temperatures near 32 degrees in Philadelphia on Saturday night, New Orleans coach Sean Payton had his team practice outdoors this week.

The Saints are 0-5 in road playoff games in franchise history. The 3-5 road record during the just-completed regular season reflected that a Drew Brees-armed offense scores about half as much on the road as it does in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans averaged 34 points per game at home, 17.8 on the road.

The Saints are bringing a better defense under first-year coordinator Rob Ryan -- New Orleans ranked fourth for yards allowed one season after allowing an NFL-record 7,092 yards. Yet the unit couldn't hold up in crunchtime of two of the most heartbreaking road losses this season â?? at New England and at Carolina. So it still might take winning a shootout.

Does Cam Newton have to produce bigger passing games for the Panthers to advance?

Not necessarily. The Panthers are built for the tough, gritty, tightly contested games that often mark the higher competition of postseason football. One of the NFL's most dominant defenses will keep them in most games, and they have demonstrated a knack for rallying to pull out games at the finish.

Yet balance is a virtue. Carolina has the NFL's 29th-ranked passing attack. And with Newton's most proven wideout, Steve Smith, nursing a knee injury, the ripple effect could be a crucial factor.

Still, Carolina has been one of the NFL's best teams on third downs. While Newton hasn't produced the huge passing numbers, he's raised his game by making better decisions that ultimately reduce the chances of losing.

And with the game on the line, all stats go out the window.

Can Andy Dalton raise his game for the Bengals?

Dalton is just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, but to this point he has not demonstrated any ability to spark his team to a higher level in January. Cincinnati was eliminated the last two seasons in first-round openers at Houston, with Dalton combining for four picks and zero TDs.

Yet playing in his first home playoff game should make a difference â?? at least for the opening round. In going 8-0 at home this season, Cincinnati averaged 34.4 points and posted an average margin of victory of 17.6 points per game.

Still, it has been such an up-and-down season for Dalton. He ranked third in the NFL with 33 TD passes, but no quarterback in the playoffs threw as many interceptions (20).

How can the Patriots offense thrive without Gronk?

It has been a season of adjustments for Tom Brady and the New England offense, but losing the 6-6 weapon that is all-pro tight end Rob Gronkowski becomes more glaring in the red zone. The Patriots have plugged leaks with the likes of receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman, but they lack the radius to create red-zone mismatches.

So much will undoubtedly ride on Brady's arm. Despite Brady's modest numbers this season, his impact in developing targets throughout the season has been essential.

But he can't create another Gronkowski. Maybe New England's best answer when it gets into the red zone was demonstrated in Week 17 with the power running of LeGarrette Blount, whose 24-carry, 189-yard game was the biggest rushing performance by a Patriot since 1998.

Have the 49ers solved their issues in the passing game?

Getting Michael Crabtree back surely made a difference. It is no coincidence that Colin Kaepernick â?? who finished the regular season with a 310-yard outing at Arizona that marked his biggest passing game since his career-high 412-yard game in Week 1 against Green Bay â?? has been in a better rhythm since Crabtree returned from his torn Achilles in Week 13.

During the last six games, when the 49ers mounted a six-game winning streak that is longest in the NFL as the playoffs begin, Kaepernick has a 10-1 TD-to-interception ratio that is best in the league.

Baca Juga

With their tough defense and potent rushing attack, the 49ers probably don't need Kaepernick to pass for 300 yards on a weekly basis. But if they can throw effectively when they need to or want to â?? and Crabtree's presence opens windows for Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis -- it would add another dimension to the most dangerous wild-card entrant in the playoffs.

Is Peyton Manning destined for another playoff letdown?

Manning is a shoo-in to win a record fifth NFL MVP award with his record-breaking season, but the real drama is whether he can win a second Super Bowl title.

For all of his greatness, though, he needs help. When the Broncos squandered their No. 1 seed in last year's playoffs, they were ultimately done in by a defensive meltdown.

That remains a threat, especially with the Denver defense having lost its premier pass rusher in Von Miller. All season, Manning has produced the points to take the pressure off the D.

That won't change now.

Will the up-tempo Eagles offense work in the playoffs?

There's no reason to doubt Chip Kelly and his system now. Never mind that Philadelphia's high-flying offense thrives while ranking last in the league for time of possession. Kelly has proved that tradition doesn't necessarily trump innovation.

And there's something to be said for having the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack â?? which plays right into the hands of playoff football as the perfect complement to Nick Foles, the league's top-ranked passer. For all of the sizzle and big passing plays sparking the Eagles offense, it is still grounded with the run-first principles that allow NFL rushing leader LeSean McCoy to ramble through gaping holes.

Down the stretch, the running game has become even more dominant as McCoy averaged 119.6 rushing yards per game in December. At a fast pace. No need to alter that now.

Have the Chiefs peaked?

Since starting 9-0, Kansas City is 2-5. So much for entering the playoffs with momentum.

While the offense has protected the ball well with Alex Smith and even opened up the passing game in recent weeks, the significant backslide has occurred on defense.

Consider the sack production. After seven games, the Chiefs led the NFL with 35 sacks. In the last seven games, Kansas City has generated 12 sacks â?? fewest in the league during that span.

Linebacker Justin Houston, tied for the team lead with 11 sacks, could provide a huge boost upon his return after missing five games with an elbow injury. But there's a lot of ground to make up.

Did the Seahawks punch their Super Bowl ticket by securing a No. 1 seed?

Until Week 16, when the Cardinals went to CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks seemed so unbeatable in their home stadium. Yet in handing Seattle its first home loss in two years, Arizona proved that it's not entirely the case.

Then again, it also serves as a reminder that there are no guarantees. The Seahawks and the Broncos shared the NFL's best record this season with 13-3 finishes. That distinction should make them wary enough. It has been 10 years since a team won the Super Bowl after posting the NFL's best regular-season record.

Have the Colts regained their way as a contender?

It seems as though Indianapolis has already had three seasons. The Colts were so impressive in defeating Super Bowl contenders San Francisco, Seattle and Denver during a 6-2 start. Then, after Reggie Wayne suffered a season-ending torn ACL, they stumbled and lost three of five games.

Now the Colts carry a three-game winning streak. They have adjusted to Wayne's loss with T.Y. Hilton playing extensively in the slot where Wayne roamed and Andrew Luck operating a shorter passing game.

Yet whether Indianapolis really emerges as a playoff force could hinge on whether a defense that has allowed 6.7 points per game the last three weeks can keep that up against better competition.

What could make the Chargers a tough out?

Philip Rivers. He has been down the playoff road before â?? in another time and place.

Now Rivers has found a sweet spot in new coach Mike McCoy's scheme. In recent years, the quarterback has struggled under pressure, which led to too many turnovers. In the new system, he has more places to quickly go with the football.

Danny Woodhead has been huge as an outlet target, and lately Ryan Mathews has provided more consistency in the rushing attack. Now if they can only punch it in from the 1-yard line.

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