NFL Picks Week 7: Miami Dolphins and More Teams Whose QBs Will Cost Them Wins

As much of a team sport as football is, there’s no position that can change a team’s fortunes as fast as quarterback. As Colts fans have learned to their chagrin, having the wrong man at QB can turn a playoff team into a disaster.

These three teams will spend Sunday wishing they had a viable option to run the offense:

Miami Dolphins (vs. Denver)

This won’t be the Dolphins’ only chance for a win in 2011, but it will be one of the best. At home against a struggling Denver team with a new QB, Miami should be in a great position to win.

But then, there’s Matt Moore. In his first start of the season, he looked appalling against the Jets, and while Denver doesn’t have New York’s pass defense, Champ Bailey can still generate turnovers against a vulnerable QB.

Brandon Marshall may bail Moore out this week, but failing that, Moore’s decision-making and accuracy issues will send Miami to 0-6.

Washington Redskins (at Carolina)

As good as Cam Newton has been, the Panthers are 1-5 for a reason. The run defense is dreadful and Newton has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.

None of that, however, will save a Redskins team that will be stuck with John Beck as its starting QB. Washington doesn’t have the game-breaking runners to win without a passing attack, and “without a passing attack” is just what they’re going to be with Beck at the helm of an offense that wasn’t that great to begin with.

Oakland Raiders (vs. Kansas City)

More and more reports appear to suggest that newly-acquired Carson Palmer won’t be starting this game, leaving Kyle Boller under center for the Silver and Black. Whichever QB the Raiders use, they’re ripe for an upset at long-time rival Kansas City.

Darren McFadden takes a lot of pressure off any QB, but with only a week to prepare (while splitting reps with each other), neither Palmer nor Boller is going to be comfortable in the pocket. Even a couple of turnovers will probably be too much to overcome at Arrowhead Stadium, and it’s easy to see Palmer or Boller providing those turnovers on Sunday.