NFL Week 6: 5 teams that must win
Which teams have to get a win this weekend? Which are in desperate positions, despite being considered playoff contenders at the beginning of the season? Let’s run down the top five in that position.
5. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders were supposed to reach the AFC Championship Game this season, according to many of the pundits who get paid good money. However, Oakland is sitting in third place of the AFC West with an ugly 2-3 record. While it appears that Derek Carr will return, the problems for the Raiders have run much deeper than the quarterback position. The defense has been terrible, evidenced by giving up a 50 percent third-down conversion rate to the Baltimore Ravens. If Oakland loses on Sunday to the Chargers, at home no less, it would be crushing.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, the Raiders’ opponent needs this game every bit as much, if not more. After beating the New York Giants on the road on Sunday, the Chargers are 1-4 and suddenly have an ounce of life. if Philip Rivers and Co. can go into Oakland and beat the Raiders, they would climb out of the division basement and suddenly be somewhat back in the mix. Considering how prolific Rivers can be, and how bad Oakland’s defense can be, it’s possible.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions are 3-2 and a game off the pace of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. Should the Lions go to New Orleans on Sunday and beat the Saints in the Superdome, they would continue their march toward the playoffs while keeping the Packers within their sights. A loss here could crush the dream of winning the division, something that has not happened since the Barry Sanders era.
2. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee was hyped up as the sleeper team in the AFC (it’s hard to be a sleeper while being hyped up, but you get the point). The Titans have gotten off to a slow start at 2-3, but are only one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for the lead in the AFC South. Tennessee now hosts the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, who are still without Andrew Luck. Even if the Titans are starting Matt Cassel for the second straight game, they have to find a way here.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is simple. Pittsburgh has looked awful to this point, turning a very easy schedule into a 3-2 quagmire, which included a 30-9 loss to the Jaguars at home on Sunday. This week, the Steelers take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City will be looking to exact revenge after falling 18-16 to the Steelers in the 2016 Divisional round at Arrowhead. If the Steelers want any hope of home-field advantage, and perhaps even a bye come January, they need to win this game.
