Week 7 NFL Picks: Cowboys, Chiefs and Teams Facing Do-or-Die Situations

Week 7 signals the time to panic for the NFL's slow starters.

The 2-4 Philadelphia Eagles finally woke up last weekend and decided to unofficially kick off their 2011 season.

Philly will now enjoy a bye week in Week 7, but will get back to the task of attempting to complete a historic comeback next weekend as they face their next stretch of must-win scenarios.

However, there are teams in action this week facing must-win, do-or-die situations of their own. Let's take a closer look at three of them:

Dallas Cowboys

The 'Boys lost a heart-breaker at New England last week, taking a Tom Brady dagger right through the chest with just seconds remaining.

At 2-3, Dallas is in danger of missing the postseason again in 2011, and a loss to the winless Rams at home in Week 7 would all but seal the Cowboys' disappointing fate.

Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel and company, coming off a bye week, take to the road in Week 7 to battle the Jason Campbell-less Raiders.

Oakland is hot on San Diego's heels for the AFC West lead, and will be a difficult team to overcome for the 2-3 Chiefs.

A loss in Week 7 will effectively kill Kansas City's 2011 playoff hopes.

New York Jets

An AFC wild card spot will nearly impossible to come by for the Jets this season at 3-4.

That's why Sunday's matchup with the Chargers is a must-win, do-or-die scenario. If Rex Ryan can't defeat an AFC contender in his own house in Week 7, then neither he nor his team will be winning a Super Bowl anytime soon. 

Ryan had a lot to say about Chargers head coach Norv Turner this week, but a win on Sunday can do more talking for the Jets than their head coach could ever do.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke