NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Losing Teams Destined for QB Change at Season's End

Wes ODonnellNov 17, 2011

Losing is never easy in the NFL. We're already in Week 11 of the season, and there are a number of teams talking about next year. They won't admit it yet, but their primary focus is how to get to the postseason next season.

With almost every losing team there is a quarterback ready to be replaced. The NFL thrives on elite quarterback play, and if you aren't winning, you're losing.

Losing football games as a quarterback means losing your job.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Here are some teams set to replace their current starter at season's end.

Miami Dolphins (2-7)

It doesn't look like Miami is "sucking" enough for Andrew Luck anymore. The screams, signs, T-shirts, websites and Twitter accounts won't hold up for Dolphins fans.

Instead they'll likely turn their sights to Oklahoma's Landry Jones or USC's Matt Barkley.

Luck is the cream of the crop, but Jones and Barkley both exhibit franchise quarterback qualities.

The decision will hinge on who the next head coach is though. Tony Sparano is obviously not sticking around for another season and neither is Chad Henne.

With Reggie Bush's rebirth, Daniel Thomas' potential and an improving offensive line, this team is a quarterback and No. 2 receiver away from being a decent offense.

It starts under center though.

Washington Redskins (3-6)

If only Rex Grossman wasn't Rex Grossman. It typically Rexy fashion he actually opened the season pretty well and won three football games.

Then Rexy, who is who we thought he was, became Rex Grossman again and was benched for John Beck.

Beck was just benched for Grossman ... again ... and the Redskins are still losing.

They've won too many games to get a shot at Andrew Luck, but Jones or Barkley are not out of the question.

Or, they go after a veteran. Mike Shanahan's leash isn't necessarily long enough to warrant him tutoring a rookie quarterback for three more years.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-5)

The Tyler Palko show is in town with the injury to Matt Cassel. That injury could easily be the end of Cassel's days at Arrowhead. He's due a bonus going into next season and, should the Chiefs fold down the stretch, which is likely with Palko under center, they'll be in good position to chase down a future franchise signal-caller.

They should never have paid that much money to Cassel in the first place.

Now they're forced to close out a season, in a division they could technically still win, with thoughts of a new quarterback for 2012.

Other Contenders

Indianapolis Colts: Likely drafting No. 1 overall. Andrew Luck to replace Peyton Manning? Depends on health and a lot of other things. Distinct possibility though.

Arizona Cardinals: Did they really think the Kevin Kolb thing was going to work? John Skelton has more wins than him in only two games.

Seattle Seahawks: Tarvaris "3rd-and-Long" Jackson is now working on becoming the "3rd-and-Long Roller Coaster." Sometimes he looks good and other times he's absolutely horrendous.

Cleveland Browns: All depends on the opinons of Colt McCoy. Likely going to get another year to prove it though.

Wes O'Donnell’s Week 11 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. New England Patriots

6. Baltimore Ravens

7. Houston Texans

8. Chicago Bears

9. Detroit Lions

10. New York Giants