5 NFL TEAMS THAT MUST WIN IN WEEK 6

Week 5 has come and gone; now Week 6 looms large for several teams. Heading into the weekend, let’s look at five teams that need a victory.

Week 5 was a little more cut and dry than previous weeks. For the most part, the teams that were supposed to win came out with the victory. Well, everyone except the Titans and the Ravens, who lost to the Bills and the Browns respectively.

Week 6 seems like it is cut from the same cloth, there aren’t too many games with upset potential. However, it is football so anything can happen.

Last week, only two of the five teams I selected as teams that needed a win, came out with a win. Those two were the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings. The Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and the Jacksonville Jaguars all came up short.

LET’S LOOK AT FIVE TEAMS IN NEED OF A WIN IN WEEK 6, STARTING WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS.

5. HOUSTON TEXANS

In Week 5 the Texans won the battle of Texas and defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. It might have taken overtime and a huge play from DeAndre Hopkins, but they found a way to win the game nonetheless.

Two weeks ago, it seemed like a pipe dream that the Texans would be able to compete in the AFC South. The Titans and Jaguars both jumped out to early leads in the division, but both have faltered and it leaves the Texans only one game out of first place.

If the Texans can string together some victories they could be right back in the heat of the playoff conversation. This week they play against an unpredictable Buffalo Bills team that upset the Titans last week. If the Texans can take care of business against their Bills, they will be .500 after six weeks, something most fans would take after starting the season so poorly.

4. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Yes, you read that correctly, the Panthers need to win in Week 6 and here’s why. The NFC South is arguably the most competitive division in football so far this season. The Saints lead the way at 4-1, then the Panthers at 3-1, with the Buccaneers at 2-2 and Falcons at 1-4. To keep pace, the Panthers need to take advantage of the Saints being on bye.

The Panthers already had their bye in Week 4, and in Week 5 defeated the New York Giants in epic fashion, kicking a 63-yard field goal for the victory. This week they face off against the Washington Redskins who just got destroyed by the Saints on Monday Night Football.

On a short week after a demoralizing loss, the Redskins cannot be feeling great. If the Panthers are able to go on the road and dispatch of them, they will be tied at 4-1 on top of the division will 11 games left.

A win would keep the Panthers on level ground with the Saints who have been electric this season. Cam Newton and Christian McCaffery have both been terrific thus far, and they can surely do some damage on the Redskins defense. Keep your eyes on rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore who is ready to officially break onto the scene, this may be the week he does so.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Sticking in the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Bucs are another team in need of a victory in Week 6, just for different reasons. While it would be nice to compete in the division, the Buccaneers seemingly don’t have the talent necessary to make a push for the playoffs. However, they need a win to fully justify their decision to go back to Jameis Winston at quarterback.

Replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was on an insane tear during the first few games, was arguably their biggest decision thus far. If Winston comes out and looks flat, obviously fans will question the team’s decision-making and will want Fitzmagic back under center.

However, if Winston comes out and shows that he is the quarterback of the future for the team, it will give them something to build on heading into next season. I know it is only Week 6, but that Buccaneers defense is nowhere near good enough to earn a playoff spot. Figuring out the quarterback situation is a step in a positive direction and would be a win for the team.

Also, if there is a team with a worse defense, it might just be the Atlanta Falcons. A division win would go a long way in keeping spirits high in Tampa Bay. Coming out of their bye, expectations should be high for them this week. Expect Winston to have a solid game and the Bucs to roll over the Falcons.

2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Perhaps surprisingly, the Steelers have appeared on this list several times in the early going of the season. Their 2-2-1 record leaves them in the bottom of the AFC North, tied with the Cleveland Browns. They sit one game behind the Baltimore Ravens and two games behind the surprisingly good Cincinnati Bengals.

Speaking of the Bengals, they host the down-trodden Steelers this week. However, the Steelers are coming off of a big win over the Falcons in Week 5. One in which they were cruising on both sides of the ball, scoring 41 points on offense and getting Antonio Brown back on track. With Le’Veon Bell waiting in the wings, this season is far from over for the Steelers.

A win over the Bengals would bring them within a game of the division leaders and would be a huge confidence boost for a team needing some motivation. With their bye coming in Week 7, they will have a chance to regroup and reorganize heading into their last ten games.

A win would improve them to 3-2-1 with ten to play, giving them a fighter’s chance at making the playoffs. With the amount of talent on the roster, missing the playoffs would be a colossal failure. Hopefully with a win over the Bengals the Steelers will be able to right the ship, just in the nick of time.

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

In what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the week, perhaps of the season so far, the New England Patriots will host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. As it stands now, this could be a preview of the AFC Championship. Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs offense playing some sensational football, but their defense couldn’t stop a college offense.

In Foxborough, the Patriots are nearly unbeatable. Their 3-2 record this season is split by home and away very easily, all three wins are at home, and both of the losses are on the road. Coincidence? I think not.

Tom Brady looks like his typical MVP self, and the Patriots may have found a gem in running back Sony Michel. If they continue to play well, they should have a field day with the Chiefs defense. However, the Patriots defense is not much better than the Chiefs, and one could argue that the Chiefs offense is better.

If New England wins, they slow down the hype train that is the Chiefs and will cement themselves atop the AFC. Without question, it is the biggest test of the year for both teams, and will serve as a good litmus test for them. Either could be selected as the “must-win” candidate, but with the Patriots being at home, it seems like a more important game for the reigning AFC champions.