by Adam Schein

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The Panthers are 8-2, yet there is legit skepticism about how good they actually are because of Delhomme's play of late. After a red-hot start, Delhomme tossed four picks against the lowly Raiders two weeks ago. And while the Panthers' running attack was sensational last week, Delhomme again didn't look the part on Sunday, tossing for just 98 passing yards against the Lions.

This week is a huge game for Carolina in Atlanta. It's big when you look at potential year-end ramifications ranging from getting the inside track on the No. 2 seed to not even winning the division. Falcons rookie Matt Ryan is outplaying Delhomme this year. The last time Delhomme faced a division foe on the road, he tossed three picks in a blowout loss to the Bucs. There's a lot riding on this game for Delhomme.

2. Jim Zorn

The bloom is officially off of the proverbial rose for the Redskins coach. Two straight losses will do that. Zorn calls the plays and frankly didn't go for the jugular enough against the Cowboys. Clinton Portis is stuck in the mud. The offensive line didn't play up to par on Sunday night.

Zorn goes back to his roots as a player and coach this Sunday when he visits the Seahawks. Seattle has just two wins but can certainly be viewed as a dangerous team with Matt Hasselbeck back. There are plays to be made against the Seahawks' defensive backs if Zorn calls those plays for Jason Campbell, Santana Moss and company. This is a gigantic spot for the 'Skins.

3. Donovan McNabb

We all know the absurd admission that he didn't know a game would end in a tie if nobody scored in overtime. It's insane. It's irresponsible. It could easily spell the end of McNabb's run in Philly.

But also lost in the sheer madness was the fact that McNabb played his worst game of the season against the lowly Bengals, tossing three picks.

The Eagles' playoff hopes are flickering. The Ravens' defense is going to be foaming at the mouth after getting manhandled by the Giants.

But on the flip side, can you imagine McNabb coming home to Philly next week on Thanksgiving night having lost three straight, in his first home game since admitting he didn't know the overtime rules? Now that's a hot seat.

4. Ray Lewis

It was only a week ago I was citing Lewis' brilliance and domination for the season. Last week against the Giants, the future Hall of Famer looked old, slow and totally out of place, whether it was getting pushed around by blockers, run over by Brandon Jacobs, or run past by Ahmad Bradshaw.

Brian Westbrook this week admitted he is far from 100 percent physically, with an assortment of nagging injuries. Lewis and the Ravens' defense was humbled and pushed around last week. You need to see a rebound with the 6-4 Ravens still very much alive for the playoffs.

5. Trent Edwards

Remember when Edwards was a model of efficiency in September? You have to seriously jog the mental rolodex for that one. Remember when I said Edwards was playing better than Brett Favre? It feels like a lifetime ago.

Edwards was a train wreck on Monday night against Cleveland, tossing three first-quarter picks in a devastating loss for 5-5 Buffalo. Since the win against San Diego that propelled Buffalo to a 5-1 start, Edwards has tossed eight picks against three touchdowns.

6. Bears defense

There's a healthy debate brewing in Chicago when dissecting the follies for the Bears' defense. Is it Lovie Smith? Is it the defensive staff? Is it the players? Do we blame the general manager?

I say yes to all of the above.

Chicago got pounded by the rival Packers last week. And it wasn't even the usual problems in the pass defense. Ryan Grant dominated the Bears' run defense. The pass rush has been poor. The team isn't aggressive enough. Signature players ranging from Brian Urlacher to the entire defensive backfield have regressed from a year ago.

No excuses against the hapless Rams this weekend.

7. LaDainian Tomlinson

I've done my rant on Norv Turner. I've done the old defensive coordinator, the new defensive coordinator and the defensive players. And yes, if you are scoring at home, I've done LT as well.

Will the real LT show up against the Colts? (Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

But honestly, even with Bob Sanders coming back, isn't this just supposed to be a game where Tomlinson dominates the Colts' run defense? Remember when this was a guarantee?

8. Brad Childress

This is a weekly hot seat. But for Childress, it's an actual hot seat that goes way beyond this week. Minnesota just cannot seem to get over the hump.

Jacksonville's defense has been spotty this season. Kerry Collins and Justin Gage made long and clutch plays against the Jags' defensive backs last week. Sadly for Minnesota and Childress, the Vikings have trouble completing the forward pass. And sadly for Childress, he was brought in to find a quarterback and coach him up, and that hasn't happened in Minnesota.

The Vikes are 5-5 and can still win the NFC North, locked in a three-way tie on top of the division. The Jags have had issues all year and are done. Childress and the Vikes should win.

9. Roger Goodell

I simply cannot believe the NFL has reinstated Pacman Jones. I am stunned that a brilliant man and excellent commissioner could, yet again, get duped this badly by a player who does nothing but consistently embarrass the league.

Fantasy Land...

I'm the guy. I was racing to reserve a table at our favorite New York City sports bar Black Finn (tell John at the bar I say hello), and I didn't shift John Carney out of my lineup. I lost by two in the Syracuse Alumni league. Can't make it up. But I am 8-3 in that league, 7-4 in the SNY league. Very good fantasy year — thus far.