ESPN's Joe Theismann answers six key questions on Week 8 of the NFL season:

Is 49ers receiver Terrell Owens worth the hassle?
The only person who can answer that question is 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci.

What Terrell Owens said -- criticizing Mariucci's play-calling in the 49ers' overtime loss last week to the Bears -- was totally out of line and totally ridiculous. Especially when you consider that Owens set an NFL single-game record with 20 catches last season -- and who was calling the plays then? That's right, Mariucci.

Based on his remarks, it would appear that Owens has absolutely no clue what's going on. The term "space cadet" would fit him well. Maybe he has other problems -- I don't know.

Ultimately, Mariucci is the one who must decide whether Owens is worth the trouble. I will say this: Without Owens at wide receiver, the 49ers' offense is not nearly as potent. So in that sense, he is worth the hassle.

I'm just glad it's not me having to deal with him.

Do you believe in teams of destiny, and if so, are the Bears destined for greatness?
I definitely believe in destiny. You need to look at the way teams make things happen and create opportunities to win games.

	David Terrell leaps for the Hail Mary pass that winds up deflecting to James Allen for the game-tying TD.

The Bears have won two games in overtime with interceptions returned by the same guy, safety Mike Brown. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache has done a terrific job with that defense.

I still see quarterback Jim Miller as the key to Chicago's offense. If Miller can get healthy and stay healthy, he can make some good things happen.

Yes, I absolutely believe in teams of destiny. In the Rams' run to the 1999 Super Bowl, Ricky Proehl made a game-winning catch against Tampa Bay in the NFC title game. But Proehl hadn't caught a touchdown pass in that situation ... well, ever. Suddenly, the opportunity presented itself and he made the play that enabled the Rams to get to the Super Bowl and ultimately win it.

Will the Bears get that far? Time will tell, but the Rams remain the team to beat this season.

Are the Ravens still the team to beat in the AFC?
Not at all. The Ravens have taken on the same personality they had last year: an average offense that depends on a great defense and special teams to win games. Like last year, the Ravens are trying to keep games close so they can win it with a field goal or a defensive stop.

I see the Raiders as the AFC's best team right now. The Colts are beginning to hit their stride. The Dolphins are strong. The Jets aren't in that upper echelon yet, but they're gaining confidence after Sunday night's win over the Saints and could still surprise.

The Ravens had a good chance of returning to the Super Bowl with a healthy Jamal Lewis at running back. With Lewis out, the Ravens' offense lacks its most potent weapon.

To make things more difficult for Baltimore, quarterback Elvis Grbac has not played as well as expected. But the season is only half over. This is when teams can make a run and shape a season's identity. There's still time for the Ravens -- and for the teams that want to dethrone them.

Which team below .500 has the best shot at making the playoffs?
The Titans (3-4) and the Bucs (3-4) have the best shot.

Tampa Bay is a late comer -- the Bucs have been notorious for their slow starts. Sunday in Green Bay, the Bucs played a strong game; one special-teams play was the difference. Otherwise, they're above .500 and not even part of this question.

For Tennessee, running back Eddie George has had a slow start, and the Titans have suffered with him.

The other sub-.500 contenders include the Vikings (3-4), Seahawks (3-4) and Redskins (3-5). But the Bucs and Titans have the best chance to make a playoff run this season -- as they did last season.

What have the Redskins done differently during their win streak?
There are several reasons for the Redskins' three-game win streak.

The Redskins haven't committed turnovers in key situations. They also haven't played the toughest competition.

This week's victim, Seattle, has been a big disappointment; the Giants have struggled this season; and the win streak began against the Panthers (all home games). Washington needs to play a better team to get a gauge on how far they've come.

Quarterback Tony Banks has also been a big key. He's become more familiar with the offense each week he's been the starter. Remember, both Banks and backup Kent Graham were picked up during the preseason. Jeff George was the Redskins' quarterback during the preseason and through the season's first two weeks. So both Banks and Graham have had to learn the offense, which takes time.

Receivers Michael Westbrook and rookie Rod Gardner are likewise new this season. But it all starts with the running of Stephen Davis. He had a huge game Sunday -- 142 yards on 32 carries, one touchdown -- and he's the guy who makes the Redskins' offense go.

How do you explain the Saints' Jekyll and Hyde persona of late?
That's a tough question.

Much of the Saints' trouble revolves around the inconsistent play of quarterback Aaron Brooks. New Orleans' offense has made too many mistakes in the red zone this season. Poor red-zone execution has been the story of the Saints' offense thus far. Brooks is going through some growing pains.

It's a shame that the Saints' defense wasn't rewarded for its stellar effort Sunday night against the Jets (a 16-9 loss).

Brooks made two bad decisions in the red zone and also fumbled a snap from center, which took at least six points off the board and gave away three -- so Brooks was responsible for what amounts to a nine-point swing in a seven-point loss.

New Orleans now has nine games left to chase Dr. Jekyll away and allow Mr. Hyde to make a playoff run.

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.