NFL Week 7 Predictions: Redskins Won't Solve Quarterback Quandary vs. Panthers

What once seemed like a dream season for the Washington Redskins has quickly spiraled into yet another nightmare, though things could just as easily turn back around against the Carolina Panthers.

That all depends, of course, on the play of John Beck. Mike Shanahan decided to swap in the fifth-year veteran after Rex Grossman tossed four picks during a 20-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday.

"Sexy Rexy" had started out the season well but saw his performance drop, slowly but surely, from week to week before bottoming out against the 'Skins' NFC East division rivals.

Where once Washington was atop the heap in the East, now the team finds itself looking up at the New York Giants, though the two squads remain separated by only half a game.

As dire as the situation may seem for the Redskins, making a switch under center at this point in the season, all is far from lost. Their division is eminently winnable, with not a single top-tier team to be found between Washington, New York, Philly and Dallas.

The Giants are as beat up and inconsistent as any team in the NFL, the Eagles can't protect Michael Vick or stop the run to save their lives, and the Cowboys can't seem to keep Tony Romo on the straight and narrow from week to week.

Meanwhile, the Redskins may not have a quarterback, but they do have a solid pass rush and one of the few good offensive lines in the league, though Ryan Torain and Tim Hightower have yet to take full notice.

A win in Carolina on Sunday would go a long way toward averting an all-too-early disaster in DC, though it would hardly prove the 'Skins for the long run. The Panthers may not be as bad as their 1-5 record would indicate, though nobody would mistake Cam Newton and company for a contender.

Ron Rivera's defense is next-to-last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, something that Shanahan is sure to exploit with his renowned zone-blocking scheme.

Beck won't likely be asked to do too much other than hand the ball off to his running backs and complete a few passes here and there to keep Carolina's defense honest. The Panthers aren't exactly known for pressuring the passer, with just nine sacks through the first six games, so Beck should have plenty of time to operate.

And if Beck fails? If he can't simply avoid mistakes and manage the game? Well, then it will be time for folks in the Beltway to push the panic button.