Khalil Mack, The 'Veon Bell Among The Biggest Questions

For the Bears to beat the Packers for the third time only since 2011, the pressure on Aaron Rodgers will be decisive. The MVP twice is 15-4 against Chicago with a 42: 9 touchdown / interception ratio.

2. Are the Steelers running out of time with The & # 39; Veon Bell? Time is running out for Pittsburgh and his professional half-player, who has yet to show up for the team or sign his one-year franchise contract. Even if Bell returns quickly, we still do not know how quickly Even after reporting to the team on the Friday before Labor Day last year, Bell recorded a total of 47 yards on record. career in the first match of 2017 against Cleveland.

Coach Mike Tomlin has touted James Conner's backup ability, which could still be online for a significant workload. But as long as Bell comes before the weekend and the team is comfortable with his conditioning, he should be the main option.

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3. Can Nick Foles break the Eagles' attack in pre-season funk? While Carson Wentz is still recovering from last December's knee injury, the Super Bowl MVP is back as a replacement for the defending champions. But the question is whether it can extend the magic of the last series, because the Philadelphia offensive has not been up to the challenge throughout the exhibition.

Coach Doug Pederson could try to replicate the game plan that he used for the Foles during last season's playoff win against the Falcons. Expect a similar scheme with pass options, quick keystrokes and screens.

4. How will the Redskins use Adrian Peterson? Despite his signing with Washington in August, the 33-year-old running back has already rejected any idea of ​​being relegated to the role of rotational contributor and took the starting position. But only once in the past four years, Jay Gruden's attack has ranked above 21st in hasty attempts, and Peterson's integration will require some recalibration.

The combination of Peterson's skills with the rest of the attack could prove difficult because it's not quite suited to what should be a cumbersome approach with Alex Smith. And while Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley can provide relief if they pass, Washington will have to avoid telegraphing its calls based on staff.

5. Are Odell Beckham Jr. and Jalen Ramsey required to produce fireworks? There may be no better individual confrontation than the all-pro confrontation between the Giants receiver and the Jaguars cornerback. Both are among the elite players in their position and have a well-established track record of fierce racing in a fierce competition.

Ramsey increased the plot with his off-season assertion that Beckham was largely responsible for Eli Manning's success, with the Giants quarterback coming back to serve by asking "who?" when informed of the comments. Pro Bowl cornerback Fellow A.J. Bouye will also be in the cover against Beckham, but it's the receiver's clashes with Ramsey that will trigger the biggest fanfare on Sunday.

6. Can Deshaun Watson get a knockout against Tom Brady? In the second start of his career, Watson dethroned the defending champions last season, before Brady put New England at the top of the list with a fifth touchdown pass of the day. The confrontation with the future MVP was one of the many achievements that gave rise to Watson's hopes before a ripped ACL reduced his season.

Looking forward to showing the progress he's made in rehabilitating the injury, Watson could again be a thorn in the Patriots' defense if he could continue to extend the games, what he might have to do steadily considering the disorderly state of the Texans offensive line. Brady will have his own challenges as he adjusts to a moving support team and receiver body exhausted by Julian Edelman's four-game suspension.

7. Will the renovated Seahawks defense be possible if Earl Thomas is seated? The Boom Legion is no longer, as Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor are among the most important personalities. But perhaps the most troubling for Seattle is the continued absence of Thomas, the triple defender of security professionals, who continues to lead an attack and could miss the first match.

Denver, however, must prove that he can take advantage of the Seahawks' changes as Case Keenum takes over as quarterback for what has been a passing attack.

8. Will Jon Gruden prove that skeptics are wrong? Skepticism rises in Oakland after Gruden resolves his dispute with Mack by sending the former defensive player of the year to Chicago. With a defense that ranked 26th last year and is now missing its cornerstone, the Raiders have blurred vision for

Gruden's victory in Oakland could be a start for Monday's second stint, but he's clearly on the lookout after signing a $ 100 million 10-year deal. With a formation that ranks among the oldest in the NFL, the Raiders will provide a contrast of style with a team from Los Angeles known for his young stars, his recruits and his head coach Sean McVay.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.