NFL Week 4: 5 teams that must win
Which teams need to win the most in Week 4 of the NFL season? Technically, it would be any team that is 0-3, but since those teams are all but out of the playoff race anyway, we aren’t including those squads. How about the teams with one, two or even three wins? Here are five teams that should be playing with desperation.
5. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are shocking many pundits with a 2-1 record headed into Week 4. This Sunday, they will travel to Texas and play the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off both a win and a short week after dispatching the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. If the Rams want to be taken seriously, they need to handle business on the road and take down one of the league’s best.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints saved their season by winning on the road in convincing fashion against the Carolina Panthers. Now, New Orleans trails to London to play a road game against the Miami Dolphins. Miami was trounced by the New York Jets last weekend, making both teams desperate. If the Saints can pull off the win, they get themselves back into the playoff picture.
3. Houston Texans
Houston was very close to not having to be on this list. The AFC South is a bad division and if the Texans had been able to close out a major upset of the New England Patriots, they would have been sitting pretty. Instead, Houston couldn’t seal the game and now sits 1-2 before welcoming in the Tennessee Titans. If the Texans are going to win the South, they can’t afford to drop this game. The schedule also does the Texans no favors moving forward, with a visit from the Kansas City Chiefs on deck.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are 2-1, but they make the list because of circumstances. The AFC West is the league’s best division and with the Oakland Raiders (also 2-1) coming to Denver, the Broncos have to take advantage and get a second divisional win at home. With a victory, the Broncos would ensure staying within one game of the undefeated Chiefs and perhaps tying them for the division lead depending on what happens on Monday night in Arrowhead. A loss could drop Denver two back of Kansas City while putting them in a tough spot with Oakland moving forward.
1. Baltimore Ravens
This one is short and simple. Baltimore is 2-1 and in a. tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North. However, the offense has been rancid and Joe Flacco is coming off a 28-yard performance in a 44-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week, the Ravens host the Steelers. If Baltimore wants to be taken seriously, it needs to handle its biggest divisional foe.
