NFL Picks Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs and Teams That Will Continue to Slide

We've hit that point in the NFL season where there's no room for error. Teams that have been slipping lately need to turn things around immediately.

Teams like the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers must halt losing skids and start winning in order to have a chance at a wild-card spot. Other clubs are inevitably free-falling toward the cellar of the NFL.

Which NFL squads will continue to slide this week and why?

Kansas City Chiefs

Two weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were top dogs in the AFC West and looked like contenders.

Then they got walloped by Miami and lost to divisional foe Denver. Things don't get any easier this week as they head to Foxborough to face Bill Bellichick and company on Monday night.

What's worse is that Matt Cassel may miss the rest of the season with a hand injury. As scrappy as Kansas City is, I don't like their chances on the road with Tyler Palko at quarterback.

Week 11 pick: The Chiefs will fall to the Patriots 31-13.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are back home after getting embarrassed at Lambeau last week. They have a much better chance to compete with Oakland than they did against the Packers, but ultimately their season will continue to slip away.

Hue Jackson's Raiders have more to play for at this point in the season, and Carson Palmer is beginning to find his rhythm with the offensive unit. Minnesota will put up a fight, but Christian Ponder is still learning.

Oakland will end up winning an ugly game and the Vikings will continue to plummet.

Week 11 pick: Raiders 20, Vikings 16.

San Diego Chargers

Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers haven't won since early October. They've had some great chances to win these past few weeks but have come away empty-handed each time.

Their offense has the potential to eventually turn the season around, but it's not going to happen this week.

Chicago will defend their home turf Sunday, and San Diego will lose yet another close game. Matt Forte will be the key to the Bears' success, and I don't think the Chargers will be able to control him. Chicago's defense and special teams will take care of the rest.

Week 11 pick: Norv Turner's crew will drop its fifth game in a row, losing 27-23.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton's impressive rookie campaign has an asterisk next to it because his Carolina Panthers have been unable to win. Unfortunately, they won't be starting any winning streaks this week.

They're traveling to Detroit to take on a Lions club who is eager to regain its swagger in the NFC. After being humiliated by Chicago last week, Detroit will be ready to bounce back with a vengeance. Newton will have his hands full with the Lions' stingy pass defense.

Week 11 pick: Carolina makes it interesting, but falls 28-20.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Tampa Bay's losing slide will continue this week as they face the undefeated Packers at Lambeau Field.

The Buccaneers have been averaging 14 points per game during their three-game skid, but their biggest problem this week probably won't be scoring. Their toughest task will be to slow down Green Bay's scoring juggernaut Aaron Rodgers.

It won't happen; Tampa Bay has one of the worst all-around defenses in the league. A-Rod will dismantle the Bucs all afternoon.

Week 11 pick: Packers 36, Buccaneers 16.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan's Washington Redskins are on a dreadful five game losing streak, and their chances of salvaging respect moving forward are not good. Their remaining schedule is not forgiving, and it begins with a visit from Dallas Sunday.

When they last met, the Cowboys won a tight ballgame at home. But since then, the Cowboys have worked their way into the playoff picture, while the Redskins have floundered.

Washington's toothless offense will have a tough time matching up with the Cowboys. Also Tony Romo's offense is much more in sync than it was back in Week 3.

Week 11 pick: The 'Skins will get thumped 27-13.