NFL Week 11 Predictions: Projecting Players That Will Continue Their Slumps

With limited opportunities in football and less room for error, being in a slump is arguably the worst thing that can happen to a player. If they're injured then someone else can step up while the injured player gets some much needed rest.

But being in a slump can mess with your mentality and question one's confidence, which is just as damaging to a team, if not more, than an injury. That said, here are three players (all of them QBs, coincidentally), who remain slumped after Week 11.

Philip Rivers: QB, San Diego Chargers (at Chicago Bears)

The 2011 NFL season for Rivers has been a year to forget. Then again, it's also been a testament to his mental toughness. With that in mind, Rivers is having arguably his most lackluster season and has cost the Bolts a few games.

The fumble against Kansas City and the three picks against Green Bay are tough to overcome for anyone. This week, Rivers and the Bolts travel to Chicago and play a Bears team riding a four-game win streak.

Chicago's pass defense may rank No. 29, but they've improved significantly since the beginning of the year. And they have a solid rush defense to complement a nice pass rush. As for Rivers, well, he's thrown just seven TDs to eight picks during San Diego's four-game slump.

Also, just once this year has he played a full game without throwing a pick and throwing at least one TD (Miami at home). Not to mention his 15 INTs are tied for a career high.

Therefore, until he actually plays his way out of the slump, Rivers will remain in a slump. Chicago is playing with a great deal of confidence compared to San Diego, plus on the road Rivers has just four TDs to seven picks.

Andy Dalton: QB, Cincinnati Bengals (at Baltimore Ravens)

Despite being a rookie, Bengals QB Andy Dalton has played exceptionally well. However, last week was a game with multiple rookie moments and Dalton saw his second-worst QB rating (61.8) of the season.

Not only did Cincinnati lose, but Dalton is now on the cusp of really losing grasp of momentum. Also, according to Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer, rookie WR A.J. Green's status is still uncertain:

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"Green was walking slightly better, but he remains questionable at best to play on Sunday at Baltimore. That means Andre Caldwell would get the start."

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So with Green, who's accounted for 34 percent of Dalton's passing yards and almost half of his TD passes, possibly not suiting up, that's a tough break to handle when playing on the road against Baltimore this week.

The Ravens have a top 10 rush and pass defense, whereas Cincinnati has just the No. 23 ranked pass and No. 20 ranked rush offense. Major advantage to Baltimore and although Week 10 wasn't a terrible performance from Dalton, it was arguably his worst.

That will continue through Week 11 and unfortunately get worse.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: QB, Buffalo Bills (at Miami Dolphins)

Of the three QBs being mentioned here, Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick is in the worst of slumps. In the past two games, he has thrown just two TDs to five INTs and an average of only 168.5 yards. Also, his rating was an abysmal 49.25 between both contests.

In Week 11, Fitz and the Bills travel to South Florida and play AFC East rival Miami, who's feeling quite confident after winning two straight and getting to face the vulnerable Buffalo Bills.

And the best way to get acclimated to having more confidence is by running the football to set up the pass. RB Fred Jackson will have that added responsibility to help Fitzpatrick return to normal, but it won't be that easy as the Dolphins have the No. 10 ranked rush defense and Buffalo hasn't won a road game since Week 1.

You can just sense the Bills' playoff hopes slipping, especially if they fall in Miami. A lot of pressure is riding on Fitz's shoulders to get a win, but the Dolphins are in spoiler-mode now. If the Bills are lucky, they win, but either way Fitzpatrick remains in a slump for at least another week or two.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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