NFL Picks Week 11: How Will Teams with Quarterback Issues Fare?

Arizona Cardinals

Kurt Warner might not even lead them to victory over San Francisco.

Honestly, does it really matter who plays at quarterback for the Cardinals this week? The 49ers are scalding-hot right now, having pulled off seven straight wins. And while John Skelton has been solid in relief for Kevin Kolb, going 2-0 and throwing for 537 yards and four touchdowns, it's hard to imagine him leading the Cardinals past the Niners.

Same with Kolb if he returns from injury. Do yourself a favor and take the week off, Kevin—let Skelton take the hit against the hardest team in the NFL to score against (15.1 points per game).

The Niners take this one easily.

Kansas City Chiefs

What higher power did these guys piss off?

First it was Tony Moeaki. Then it was Eric Berry. Then for good measure, the football gods saw fit to end Jamaal Charles' season. And now Matt Cassel has had surgery on his throwing hand, which hopefully won't end his season but will cost him significant time.

And so the Chiefs turn to Tyler Palko, which wouldn't be so bad if they weren't playing New England on Monday night.

They're screwed. New England rolls.

Washington Redskins

Choosing between Grossman and Beck is like playing hot potato with a live grenade.

And I'm not the only one who thinks their season is about to blow up. From ESPN:

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Barry Cofield is concerned that the Washington Redskins season could get "historically ugly." One thing that sure isn't neat and pretty: the way Mike Shanahan explains his quarterback changes.

The coach who clumsily evoked "cardiovascular endurance" while benching Donovan McNabb a year ago meandered his way Monday through the surprise switch from John Beck to Rex Grossman.

Grossman started Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and -- according to Shanahan -- will keep the job for the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys as the Redskins (3-6) try to break a five-game losing streak.

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The Redskins will play the Cowboys tough, because that's how the NFC East rolls. But unless Grossman can somehow channel his inner Sammy Baugh, the Redskins will lose their sixth straight contest.

Philadelphia Eagles

Rest in peace.

Even if Michael Vick plays this week with two broken ribs, it probably won't help the Eagles all that much—at least, if his performance last week (16-for-34, 128 yards, two interceptions) is any indication on how he will handle playing through the injury.

And the likely alternative is Vince Young, who of course threw an interception on his first pass attempt of the season. Maybe they can get Ronnie Brown to play the position. Or get all Kafka-esque.

Goodnight, Dream Team. The Giants will put you to sleep on Sunday night.

Houston Texans

It's Matt Leinart time, baby!

No, I didn't think we would ever see or hear such words again either. But with Matt Schaub likely done for the season, it's Leinart's time to shine.

Or something like that.

Here's the thing: They have a week to ease him into the starting role because they are on a bye this week. Their schedule isn't that difficult. They have a good defense and an even better running attack led by Arian Foster and Ben Tate. And get this—they actually believe in Leinart.

Or so Eric Winston told Peter King:

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"When people ask me what Matt Leinart's like, I think they expect me to say he's some brash, cocky kid who doesn't work very hard,'' Winston said.

"It's totally wrong. The first year he was here, he wanted to come in on Saturday to do extra work to try to catch up in the offense. Nobody knows that side of him. He's been a great teammate, totally supportive of Matt, and well-liked in the locker room. He knows, we all know, that quarterback is not an easily replaceable piece. But I believe the guys on this team really have faith he can do it.''

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The Texans will survive. The other teams listed here wish they could say the same.