Q: What is up with the AFC West and NFC West? I am shocked that both the reigning division leaders — the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks — are faltering so far this season. I mean, both teams are below .500. The Chargers were in the AFC championship game last season and the Seahawks made it to the second round of the playoffs. Long ago these divisions had great teams on them. Why are both of the West divisions bad and why can't they seem to win games?
— Julian, Berkeley, Calif.

A: There is no great mystery to the struggles of teams in the West. The Raiders, Rams and 49ers, have had serious management issues. The Chargers and Seahawks have underachieved because of injuries and age. The Chiefs got old and went into a rebuilding mode. And here is another problem: there aren’t many quarterbacks out West who are having good seasons. Only Kurt Warner, Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler rank in the top 23 passers in the league.

Q: Why does the NFL keep giving Adam "Pacman" Jones second chances?
— Chuck B, Macon, Ga.

A: Pacman is out of second chances. The next time he screws up probably will be his last, as the NFL reportedly has warned him about a lifetime ban. Up to this point, Pacman hasn’t done one thing that would make you say he should never be allowed to play in the league again. The NFL would rather rehabilitate a player than banish him. But when you look at the pattern of his behavior and the number of times he has broken rules, you can understand why the league has had enough of his nonsense.

Q: After 50 years of 'rebuilding' is it possible for the NFL to step in and force changes in the Detroit Lions organization? I mean I know Ford is a huge sponsor but with a real shot at going 0-16 shouldn't the governing body being able to step in and force some changes?
— J. Brzez, Oxford, Mich.

A: Technically, the NFL does have the right to step in and try to help a team with serious management issues. The league has helped a great number of teams find direction. It was the NFL that prompted the Giants to hire George Young, one of the great general managers of his era. But realistically, the league probably never could force the Lions to do something they did not want to do. Any team owner who was told how to run his team would likely ignore the NFL, and he might even challenge the league in court. And the NFL also wants to remain in the good graces of William Ford, whose motor company spends millions in NFL sponsorship deals.

Q: Hi Dan, I don't think I've ever heard anyone discuss who the best "legacy" player in the NFL is. There are so many sons following their dads into football. Who do you think will live up to or exceed their father's reputation?
— Eric Simons, Garden Grove, Calif.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

A: The Mannings are to the NFL what the Kennedys are to American politics. If Peyton or Eli ever have a son or sons, they would bear watching. If the third generation of NFL Mannings improves over the second generation of NFL Mannings as much as the second generation improved over the first, we will have something to look forward to. But that’s pie in the sky.

Here is a legacy that we can watch unfold in the near future: Clay Matthews, the linebacker at USC, figures to do his father by the same name proud. The elder Matthews was an outstanding player who lasted an unbelievable 19 years at linebacker. The younger Matthews has come on strong during his senior season and elevated to the point where he now looks like a second-round pick who is of particular interest to teams looking for a pass rusher for a 3-4 defense. He’d go over big in Cleveland, where his father played.