John Madden

Each week John Madden answers readers questions. To ask Coach a question, e-mail him at:

Are too many people forgetting about the Eagles in the NFC East or do you think the Giants have it wrapped up?
Tom for Philly

Madden: Tom, I don't think at the midway point you can say anyone has it wrapped up.  I don't know that anyone is forgetting about the Eagles, and if they do it's a mistake.  They are one of those teams that are always going to fight you and they are always going to be very competitive.  We always use that term that anyone can win on any given Sunday and I think the Eagles are one of those teams that can beat anyone on any given Sunday.  With McNabb and his passing game and the way he distributes the ball. Plus, they have a guy like Brian Westbrook… Then a Jim Johnson defense and I think their linebackers really improved.  They are just a good team that plays solid, tough football and I don't think that at any time they can ever be overlooked. 

Do you think Peyton Manning and the Colts offense will return to form this season or should we expect them to continue to struggle?
Dennis from Toronto

Madden: Dennis, you would like to think that they could play themselves out of a funk but I don't think that they are going to completely.  The win over the Patriots on Sunday night was a positive thing for them because it got them back to .500, but I think they are still going to struggle.  They have a problem running the ball and then it is all on Peyton Manning's shoulders and he is not the same and the Colts passing game is not the same as it has been either. 

What are your thoughts on the Panthers this year? Do you think they will continue on their path of wins?
Pam

Madden: Yeah Pam, because they have good defense.  If you can play strong defense and be one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, you are going to be in every game.  Then you take their running game and the big plays in the passing game.  I think they are going to stay pretty good and it starts with their outstanding defense. 

Coach, can the Titans win it all with Kerry Collins at quarterback or will he hold them back?
Pat from Nashville

Madden: I don't know that he is going to hold them back, Pat, but I don't know that they can win it all.  That's a tough thing.  I know they are undefeated and they are the only undefeated team. They've played great football up to this point but I don't know that you can take from the midway point and project them all the way to winning it all.  Kerry Collins has proven that if you take away the run and he has to pass, he will make plays to the wide receivers and there are times where I have seen him and he's had to make a play in the passing game to win the game and he's done it, So I wouldn't put that tag on Kerry Collins that he will hold them back, but I'm also not ready to project the Tennessee Titans into winning it all. 

Coach, assuming both defensive linemen for Minnesota get suspened... How much will that impact them and are they still good enough to make the playoffs?
Kyle from Minneapolis

Madden: Obviously they would be impacted greatly, Kyle. That is where their entire defense starts.  It starts with the line and the middle of the line and it is a big part of your pass rush. And that is kind of the guts of your defense so it would be a big loss if and when they are lost.  It could affect their chances for the playoffs, but I am not even sure that with them they are a playoff team.