ESPN analyst Joe Theismann answers key questions about the NFL:

Which 11-3 NFC team -- Packers, Bucs or Eagles -- is less likely to get a first-round bye?
It will probably come down to the tiebreakers. The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers already have clinched their divisions, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have secured a playoff berth.

If each team wins out -- a definite possibility -- the Eagles would be the No. 1 seed based on having the best conference record (they're 10-0 right now). The Bucs would be No. 2 because they beat the Packers. So Philly has the inside track, with Tampa Bay second ... leaving Green Bay as the odd team out.

	McNabb

With two weeks left in the season, Green Bay also has arguably the toughest remaining schedule, facing two teams that are currently fighting for the playoffs. The Packers host the Bills, who are tied for the AFC South lead at 9-5, and then go on the road against the Jets in the season finale.

Tampa Bay and Philly, though, each face only one team that's fighting for the postseason. The Bucs host the AFC North-leading Steelers next week on Monday Night Football (Monday, 9 p.m. ET, ABC) and then close the season at Chicago. The Eagles are at Dallas for a Saturday-night game later this week (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and close it out on the road against the Giants.

Remember, if the Eagles get a bye, injured QB Donovan McNabb would have an extra week to mend. Backups Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley have played well, but a healthy McNabb is one of the keys to the Eagles' Super Bowl hopes.

Do you see the Giants catching either Atlanta or New Orleans to earn one of the two wild-card berths?
The New York Giants (8-6) could win a wild card, as crazy as that sounds. It isn't likely, but it's so tough to predict. The Giants looked dead in the water after losing back-to-back games to the expansion Texans and the Titans, dropping their record 6-6. But wins the past two weeks -- coupled with losses Sunday by the Atlanta Falcons (8-5-1) and New Orleans Saints (9-5) -- have given the Giants hope.

The Saints, based on their schedule (at Cincinnati, vs. Carolina), should win out and claim one wild card. But nothing's a lock anymore. With the playoffs as motivation, you would have expected the Saints to beat the Vikings on Sunday. So much for great expectations: Minnesota won 32-31 on a two-point conversion with five seconds left.

The Falcons have been hurt by Michael Vick's mistakes early in games, even though he's been outstanding late in games. They need to find some consistency as a team before it's too late (i.e., before the Giants sneak past them). Atlanta hosts Detroit next week and closes the season at Cleveland.

The Giants have the toughest remaining schedule of the three: at Indianapolis (with the Colts fighting for the playoffs) and at home vs. Philadelphia (with the Eagles fighting for home-field advantage). Earlier this season, the Giants lost to the Falcons 17-10 -- without an injured Vick. How ironic it would be if that game were the difference in Atlanta advancing to the postseason and the Giants going home.

I've talked about head coach Jim Fassel as a coach-of-the-year candidate, because the Giants are not a talent-laden team. RB Tiki Barber has been their best player on offense, and rookie TE Jeremy Shockey has been a factor. But their wide-receiving corps is a shadow of what it was (hurt especially by the season-ending injury to Ike Hilliard). Fassel has done a masterful coaching job to keep the Giants in the playoff hunt.

Which team is most in need of a new QB next season -- the Bears, Bengals, Panthers or Redskins?
I would rank them in this order (the team with the greatest need first, plus a comment on each team):

1. Chicago Bears -- Jim Miller can't stay healthy, and neither can Chris Chandler. And both are getting older. The Bears have a solid running game and receiving corps. They just need a reliable quarterback.

2. Carolina Panthers -- Rodney Peete is like Methuselah . He's done remarkably well this season, but his age precludes him from being the QB of the future.

3. Cincinnati Bengals -- The Bengals can live another season with Jon Kitna if they have to. But they could have the opportunity to draft USC's Carson Palmer, the Heisman winner.

4. Washington Redskins -- I believe that Steve Spurrier already has the right QB: Patrick Ramsey. The 'Skins just need to develop the skill-position people around him (and give him time to develop).

Which six AFC teams do you predict will make the playoffs?
Division Champions:
AFC East -- Miami Dolphins
AFC North -- Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South -- Indianapolis Colts
AFC West -- Oakland Raiders

Wild Cards:
New England Patriots (from East)
Denver Broncos (from West)

Toughest Team to Leave Out:
Tennessee Titans (South)

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.