NFL Week 8: 5 teams that must win
Which contenders need to find a win in Week 8? Let’s run down the five that could be looking at a tough go of it without a victory over the next few days.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore almost wasn’t included on this list, for the simple fact that it may not be a playoff contender. Joe Flacco has five touchdowns against eight interceptions, and the rest of the offense (outside of running back Alex Collins) has been awful. Still, the Ravens are 3-4 and have a real shot at a wild card berth if they can beat the Miami Dolphins at home on Thursday night. Baltimore doesn’t have much to offer offensively, but in the AFC, eight or nine wins might be enough to play in January.
4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons shouldn’t be on this list. They should have handled business against the Buffalo Bills back in Week 4 and certainly should not have blown a 17-point lead at home against the Dolphins in Week 6. Yet, Atlanta sits 3-3 with a three-game losing streak hanging over its head. If the Falcons can’t find a way to get the job done against the New York Jets on Sunday, it’s time to start looking for draft prospects to follow. The NFC is very deep as it is, and the NFC South is terrific. Atlanta can’t allow itself to fall to 3-4.
3. Washington Redskins
Washington has to find a way to win this weekend at FedEx Field against the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams are 3-3 and the winner gets a huge win, while the loser falls into a brutal spot in the NFC East. The Redskins might have the better overall roster, although injuries along the offensive line to Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff are not good. If the Redskins want to get back into the Eastern race and fight for a wild card, this must be a win.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos looked great only a few weeks ago. Denver was 3-1 and going into its bye week, with the return game being at home against the injury-ravaged and winless New York Giants. Incredibly, the Giants rolled the Broncos, which was followed by a 21-0 shutout loss against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. This week, Denver draws a brutal assignment, going to Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night to face the Kansas City Chiefs. With contests against the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots looming, this could be Denver’s last stand.
1. Detroit Lions
The Lions are coming off their bye week and get the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. It’s not an easy assignment, but one Detroit will have to ace if it wants to challenge the Minnesota Vikings in the suddenly-wide-open NFC North. The Lions have the talent to pull off this upset, especially rested and at home. Still, it won’t be easy against perhaps the best the AFC has to offer.
