5 NFL TEAMS THAT MUST WIN IN WEEK 2

Week 1 treated NFL fans to an incredible weekend of football. With Week 2 looming, let’s look at five teams who need a victory.

Last week, the five teams that I chose as ‘must-win’ candidates included the Colts, 49ers, Chargers, Packers and Raiders. Only the Packers emerged victorious from their Week 1 games, let’s see if we can do better in predicting this week. Several teams have tough matchups, and desperately need to get off the mark of 0 wins. The Steelers, Cowboys and Raiders all fall into that category. On the other hand, some teams need to continue their hot start to the season and prove that they are serious contenders, not simply one week flukes. Teams like the Packers and Buccaneers both fall into that category, but are they truly facing must win games in Week 2?

5. DALLAS COWBOYS

In Week 1, the Cowboys looked atrocious. They tried to establish the run over and over, even though it wasn’t really working against a stout Panthers defense. On random plays, like second or third and long, rather than attempting to convert, the Cowboys tried to pound the rock. Obviously, they have one of the best running backs in the league, but running the ball to a fault it not a sustainable strategy.

The play calling on Sunday was horrible, there’s no way around it. However, there is some reason for optimism. So what, the Panthers, with one of the best linebackers in the league, were able to shut down the run. That doesn’t mean that it won’t work on other teams. That concept is proven by this weeks match up, the New York Giants.

Last season, the Giants ranked 26th in the NFL in run defense, allowing an average of 120.8 rushing yards per game. That trend continued in Week 1 with the Giants allowing 92 yards to Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon. The Cowboys need a bounce back win, and it will come through running back, Ezekiel Elliot.

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS

Obviously the Raiders were on this list last week with their debut on Monday Night Football against the Rams. So why are they here again? Well, they just so happen to be going into a divisional match up with a team that, after Week 1, is trending in a different direction. The Raiders will travel to Denver to play against the Broncos in what is expected to be a tight contest.

Case Keenum impressed in Week 1 against the Seahawks with 329 yards and three touchdowns. But he also had three interceptions against a weakened Seahawks defense. This means that a Raiders defense, despite being pretty poor, can take advantage of a mistake-prone Keenum.

The Raiders had a rough showing against the Rams. Their first half was solid, and they actually led a very talented Rams team heading into the half time break. However, a completely different team emerged from the locker room in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr had an incredible first half, completing 20 of his 24 passes for 199 yards. Unfortunately, he looked like a shell of himself in the second half, throwing the game away with two interceptions and numerous bad passes.

The Raiders are searching for any sense of legitimacy after Jon Gruden traded talented pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears. The Rams were a tough opponent to beat in Week 1, but the Broncos are much more manageable. If the Raiders are able to pick up a road victory over a divisional rival, they may be able to stop the bleeding a little bit. The press will be off their back (briefly) and they will have a reason to celebrate. A win in Week 2 would go a long way for a reeling Raiders team.

3. GREEN BAY PACKERS

In an epic first Sunday Night Football game of the season, the Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers, completed an overwhelming comeback to defeat the Chicago Bears. In Week 2, the Packers face yet another divisional rival in the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams are fresh off the heels of a Week 1 victory, and both are vying for a NFC North title. Unfortunately, only one team will be able to start the season with an undefeated 2-0 record.

At first, I thought it was more important for the Vikings to win this match up. However, with the injury concerns to Aaron Rodgers and the suspension to talented running back Aaron Jones, I realized that this win would mean much more for the Packers.

Rodgers is dealing with a left knee injury that sidelined him for a while against the Bears. If the injury is serious and Rodgers misses time, the Packers season could immediately be in jeopardy. That adds importance to this game against the Vikings, who are the Packers biggest threat in the NFC North.

If the Packers emerge with a victory, they have to be considered as the favorite to win the division, having two divisional victories under their belt. If they lose, and potentially lose Rodgers for a significant stretch, the Packers season outlook begins to dramatically shift. Needless to say, a win in Week 2 would mean a lot for Rodgers and the pack.

2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Ending a game in a tie is disappointing, even more so when you tie the team that is 1-31 in their last 32 games. Yes, that’s right, the Steelers tied with the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. A show of hands from anyone who predicted that. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

The Steelers blew a 21-7 lead to end up tying 21-21. Now, not to make excuses, but the rainstorm that drug on throughout out the entire match significantly aided the Browns. The Steelers offense is largely predicated on the passing game, but when there is a significant amount of rain and the ball is slippery, the running game becomes increasingly more important. No problem, the Steelers have Le’Veon Bell, one of the league’s premier running backs.

Oh wait, that’s right. He hasn’t reported to the team yet and is inactive. Backup running back James Conner is good, but he is no Bell. In Week 2 the Steelers are at home against a talented Chiefs team that plays little to no defense. Better yet, the Chiefs secondary is the weakest link which opens up a ton of possibilities for Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Expect both of them to have big games.

The tie is clearly going to be a point of conversation during the game, but if the Steelers come out and dominate a quality opponent, people will quickly forget the embarrassing Week 1 performance. Look for Big Ben and the passing game to get going early and never look back because they need to make a statement in Week 2.

1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

One of the most surprising upsets of the first week came in New Orleans where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the Saints. Anytime a score line reads 48-40, it’s anyone’s guess as to who won the game. It just so happens that Ryan Fitzpatrick, better known as Fitzmagic, was able to out duel the legendary Drew Brees. That is not something that happens very often.

However, this was more than simply a loss for the Saints. Everyone knew that their offense was going to be electric, that was never the question. The loss was more on the defense, a unit that was pegged to be pretty good coming into the season. Anytime you concede 48 points, something is wrong. But conceding 48 points to a team led by a backup quarterback and Peyton Barber in the running game? That’s laughable.

In Week 2 however, the Saints get a relatively easy match up against the Cleveland Browns. Now I know this is the same Browns team that tied a strong Steelers side, but there were multiple factors in that one. It would be quite surprising to see the Browns travel into the Superdome and hand the Saints their second consecutive loss.

Slow starts have been the m.o. for the Saints in recent years, but they need every win possible in such a stacked NFC this season. A win against the Browns would have them moving in the right direction again just in time for a big divisional game against the Falcons in Week 3.