NFL Picks Week 3: Which Teams Will Keep on Sliding?

The hits just keep on coming.

Some teams will bounce back from Week 2 losses this week, but others will have to face the harsh reality that their playoff dreams are likely being dashed early in the season.

There's 14 games left to play this season, which leaves plenty of time for comebacks. However, these teams have good reason to be worried, whether it be from injuries or scheduling or just plain bad play.

These teams will lose this week, and how they respond to the loss will determine how they're able to recover for the rest of the season.

Some will slide this week, and get back on their feet the week after. Let's look at what teams are most in danger of a Red Sox-style slide.

Kansas City Chiefs

Things just will not go the Chiefs' way this season.

They've lost three of their best five players in Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and rising star Tony Moaeki—all to torn ACLs.

On top of that, the defense, which was a strong point last year, has been absolutely disastrous. They've given up 89 points in two games, the most of any team so far. They've also turned the ball over nine times in two games, which certainly doesn't help.

The sad thing is it won't get any easier. This week the Chiefs will have to go to San Diego to take on the Chargers. The Chargers early-season woes aren't keeping them down like they were last year, and there is little doubt that the Chiefs will be hard-pressed to keep the Chargers under 40 points this week.

The slide will continue, and without much grace. The Chiefs still have a five-week stretch where they play the Patriots, Bears, Packers, Steelers and Jets, all in consecutive weeks. I bet Andrew Luck would look good in red.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colt's are downright woeful without Peyton Manning.

Kerry Collins has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league up to this point, having accrued a paltry 71.4 quarterback rating and two touchdowns.

It's hard to do that, especially when you still have Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark and Pierre Garcon to throw to.

The defense is designed to play with the lead, something the Colt's will have very little of this year, as they will find themselves unable to compete when teams take to the ground and rip off huge runs.

To be honest, it looks like the Chiefs and Colts will be neck and neck in the running for Andrew Luck this year.

The Colt's are still facing a first-place schedule. A matchup with the Steelers looms, and they will be hard pressed to put up much of a fight.

Jacksonville Jaguars

ESPN is reporting that Blaine Gabbert will get his first NFL start this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. That's bad news for the Jaguars.

This is not an indictment of Gabbert's ability, as I think he will be a very good quarterback, but has to do with the relative inexperience of his team's defense.

Cam Newton has been unbelievably impressive, and to think that Gabbert will be able to come out and do the same thing is completely unrealistic.

Rookie quarterbacks lose, and lose often. Cam Newton has lost twice now, and it's his time to put a win on the board given his wonderful play in Weeks 1 and 2.

The Jags' defense has been struggling so far this season. I think Cam Newton will send the Jags on a 0-2 slide and one they won't recover from with a rookie at quarterback.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings seem to bring in veteran players who suck the life out of them.

Donovan McNabb has never looked worse. Losing Sidney Rice has affected this team's down field passing attack, and has been overly reliant on Adrian Peterson to carry them through games.

They've been misusing Percy Harvin, lining him up out wide as often as they have him in the slot. Harvin has always struggled outside the numbers, and excelled in the slot.

Detroit hasn't lost its last six regular season games and has been on an absolute rampage so far. The Vikings aging and slow-moving defense will have trouble stopping the young stars the Lions bring to town.

This game is like any other for Minnesota. Give Adrian Peterson the ball and pray. Too bad he won't be able to outscore Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford by himself.

Saint Louis Rams

I feel bad for the Rams.

Like the Chiefs, they've suffered a rash of injuries and have one of the hardest schedules in the league. They're hurting themselves by turning the ball over in the most obscene ways.

The Rams are also unfortunate because they face a Ravens team that handled the Steelers in Week 1, and got embarrassed at Tennessee in Week 2. Strong teams almost always bounce back with strong games after such losses, and it's the second week in a row the Rams will get that treatment (the Giants were defeated by the Redskins in Week 1). 

Steven Jackson's status is unknown for this weekend, and will likely be a game-time decision. The Rams need their workhorse back, otherwise they will struggle to put up touchdowns and settle for more field goals. The Ravens' defense isn't going to fall over for them.