ESPN analyst Joe Theismann answers some key questions about NFL Week 11:

Which injured quarterback, Donovan McNabb or Tommy Maddox, will be missed more by his team?
Steelers backup QB Kordell Stewart has much more experience than Eagles backup Koy Detmer -- after all, Stewart led the Steelers to last season's AFC championship game before losing his job to erratic play earlier this season. So that, plus the multidimensional abilities of Donovan McNabb, would lead you to believe that the Eagles will miss McNabb more.

So much of what the Eagles do offensively revolves around McNabb's athletic ability. Detmer is a tough, fiery QB, but he isn't the running threat McNabb is. While McNabb's absence will affect the Eagles' game plan some, I don't see coach Andy Reid changing the offense too much. Establishing the run will just be more imperative, because McNabb's legs won't be there to create a running game out of nothing.

In terms of the playoff push, Philly has a much tougher road now. I still think they're the favorite to win the NFC East, because the Giants' offense is so anemic. But if the Giants can get on a roll, the Eagles' playoff hopes are more precarious than the Steelers. I don't see a wild card coming out of the NFC East -- or the AFC North, for that matter. But with Kordell the Steelers are better-equipped to weather the injury to Tommy Maddox and win their division.

Do you see both the Raiders and Patriots making the playoffs, or was Sunday night's loss a major setback for the Pats?
I don't think this Sunday Night Football downfall is a major setback for the Patriots, because the loss is out of their division. Three of their final four games are against their AFC East foes: the Bills (5-5), Jets (5-5) and Dolphins (6-4). So the Pats (5-5) can control their own destiny to an extent. They've left themselves less margin for error, but they still have a good shot at the playoffs.

	Brady

To get there, the Patriots must eliminate their own mistakes. Tom Brady didn't throw the ball well in the first half, and I think part of the reason is that he decided to go without his gloves. He missed two big-play opportunities for potential TDs, misfiring on both occasions. It looked to me like he was somewhat uncertain.

A quarterback's gloves are analogous to a golfer's grips. Anyone who has golfed knows the difference a new set of grips makes in terms of handling a golf club. You have better control and greater confidence. It looked to me like Brady had a worn set of grips in the first half. In the second half, Brady wore the gloves (he had worn them in the previous two games).

What impressed me most about the Raiders on Sunday night was their defensive line. The D-line brought incredible pressure, harassing Patriots QB Tom Brady with just a four-man rush (sometimes three). When a defense can pressure a QB without blitzing safeties and linebackers, the opposing offense has little chance to mount an effective passing game.

How will things shake out in the AFC South between Tennessee and Indianapolis?
The Titans (6-4) have found themselves -- they've gotten back their swagger. Eddie George and Steve McNair both look healthy, and the defense has been playing well.

Indianapolis (6-4) needs to find its offense again, which struggled some Sunday against a pretty good Cowboys' defense. Indy's defense is coming around, although holding Dallas to three points isn't exactly a playoff barometer.

The Titans have more momentum. After a 1-4 start, Tennessee has won five straight. The Colts have won two straight. But there's something more important than momentum: good health. The biggest key in the playoff picture is the ability to keep your stars healthy. Injuries make a huge difference at this time of the season (as the Eagles and Steelers are about to find out).

The Titans' D has been playing well without injured All Pro DE Jevon Kearse, but his return certainly would be a major boost.

Which of these teams -- Jets, Rams or Browns -- has the most realistic shot of making the playoffs?
The Jets and Browns are each 5-5, while the Rams are 4-5 heading into their Monday-night showdown at home against the Bears (ABC, 9 p.m. ET). If the Rams win Monday night, I give them the best chance of these three teams to make the playoffs. But if they lose, I give the edge to the Jets.

For the Rams, a lot will depend on how well QB Kurt Warner plays when he returns and on the health of Marshall Faulk, who sprained his ankle in last week's victory over the Chargers.

The Jets are on a roll. They've won three straight and are right at .500 after starting the season 1-4. The Jets host Buffalo next week in a key AFC East game.

The Browns continue to find ways to mature. QB Tim Couch has shown lots of resilience. He has shouldered the responsibility and stepped up with a fine performance. Still, the Browns may be a year away from making a serious playoff run.

Given Sunday's developments, which team has the best shot of getting the top seed in the NFC?
I still think the Packers are the best team in the NFC. QB Brett Favre plays horribly in two places, both domed stadiums: at Minnesota and at Detroit. Favre played poorly Sunday, but because of his excellence in every other stadium, the Packers have the best shot at the NFC's top seed.

Next week's game (between Green Bay and Tampa Bay) will give the best indication. The Bucs have a great defense, so Favre can't make the same mistakes he made Sunday -- or else he'll get the same results. The running game will be key for both teams -- especially Mike Alstott for the Bucs and Ahman Green for the Packers.

The truth is, though, the Packers-Bucs showdown is on the shoulders of Brett Favre -- win or lose, he'll be the difference in the game.

Right now, I'm picking the Packers over the Bucs ... but with the disclaimer that I haven't seen the injury reports yet for either team. Check back on ESPN.com later this week for all my Week 12 picks (as always, along with those of my fellow ESPN analysts).

A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL QB Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He reviews the NFL each week for ESPN.com in Cup o' Joe.