John Madden

Each week John Madden answers readers questions. To ask Coach a question, e-mail him at:

From what you saw, what do the Cowboys need to improve on in order to make the postseason?
Chris from New Jersey

Madden: What they are going to have to do is reel off 4-5 wins in a row here, Chris.  It's not just this one game that is important; Dallas needed it to get started winning four or five in a row.  I think that the Cowboys just have to kind of start playing better together and that's Tony Romo getting back and getting into the offense. Working Roy Williams in with T.O. Marion Barber is a real warrior and he has proven that he can play the whole game and be effective and win for you, but getting Felix Jones back would be big for their offense and their defense has to continue to improve. That is an area that they played well against the Redskins and the offensive line looks like they are playing better.

Coach, with all their injuries... how in the world does Denver have a two-game lead in the AFC West?
Jon from Colorado

Madden: Weak division, Jon.  I don't know that it is as much Denver as it is having Oakland and Kansas City in your division and then the San Diego Chargers who have really had a disappointing year.  That is a big part of it.  Having said that Denver has to win games too. You have to go out and win and I was impressed last week.  They were playing a pretty good Atlanta team and they went down there and came back with a win.  So you have to give them credit too.  So one part of it is Denver winning enough to be in first place with a two game lead and the other part is being in a weak division.

Has Matt Cassel shown enough to be a starter for another team next season and is there any way for the Pats to keep him?
Gregg from Boston

Madden: Gregg, Matt Cassel has shown that he can be a starter in this league and any team in the NFL that needs one is probably going to go after him.  As far as the Patriots and salary cap and whether they can afford to keep him I am not sure. I don't know the answer to that.  I would think it would be difficult for them.

Matt Cassel stepped into a very, very difficult situation when Tom Brady went down in the first game of the regular season but he has done that and he's going to be rewarded for it and he has earned that.

If the Ravens can't stop the Giants running game, can anyone?
Paul from CT

Madden: The answer is probably no, Paul.  They have such a good run blocking offensive line that they dominate the line of scrimmage and then behind them they have three very good runners.  So it is one of those things where the only way you are really going to stop them is get them in positions where the running game isn't a factor and that's obviously to get ahead on the scoreboard or put them in second and long and third and long situations.  Maybe blitz them on first down, catch them in a play-action pass, throw them for a loss and then there is no more running on that series. 

It is one of those things where they are in downs where they can run or pass and the score is one where they can run or pass, I don't see anyone stopping their run.

Coach, which team do you see coming out on top in the NFC Sorth?
Sal from Chicago

Madden: Sal, I have been impressed with what both Carolina and Tampa Bay have been able to do this season.  Now it is coming down to that point of the season where you play the first part of the season to put yourself in position to make a run and it's the team that really does it from here on out that is going to be the best going into the playoffs.

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