The first quarter of the season is coming to an end. Teams who have intentions of going deep into the playoffs should win at least nine of their last twelve games of the season, especially after they start the season 2-2 or worse. In my opinion, there are five teams who really need to win their week four matchups. The New England Patriots, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and the Dallas Cowboys are all entering week four with a 1-2 record. None of these teams can't afford to have three losses after the first quarter of the season. Certainly, teams who start the season 1-3, don't necessarily miss the playoffs as the 2011 Denver Broncos, made it to the playoffs after starting the season 1-4, and then the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs, made it to the playoffs after starting the season 1-5. However, neither of those teams made it further than the divisional round. It is essential for all the 1-2 teams who want to compete for Super Bowl this year, win their matchup this week.
New England Patriots: Surprisingly, they lost back to back games in the first month of the season. The Patriots lost both of those games by double digits. They lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars by eleven and they lost to the Detriot Lions by sixteen. Today, they are hosting their division rival, Miami Dolphins at home. Patriots can't afford to lose this game and go 1-3. It doesn't matter how they lose to the Dolphins and what happens during the game, they just can't lose this game. If the Dolphins win, they will go 4-0 and will have a three-game lead against the Patriots in the division. I'm fine with Patriots starting the season 2-2, but 1-3 won't cut it. If they lose to a 'not so talented Dolphins team', I don't know how they will compete against the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers later in the season. The Pats need this game badly!
New York Giants: The game between New York Giants and New Orleans Saints is going to be fun. It could turn out to be a high scoring game. Both the Giants and the Saints need this game. Saints need to win this game to keep up with the top NFC teams such as the LA Rams and the Philadephia Eagles. The Giants need to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive in a conference loaded with good teams, and they also need to win this game for Eli's sake. Eli Manning is a two-time champion, but since his last Super Bowl win in 2011, he has been to the playoffs only once in six years. Oh, he went 0-1 in the year in which he went to the playoffs. The Saints are 2-1 and the Giants are 1-2, so I'm gonna say the Giants need this game more than the Saints do.
Atlanta Falcons: Lose week one, bounce back in week two with a win, and they lose a shootout at home to their division rival in week three. Week four matchup against the Cinncinati Bengals isn't going to be easy, but this game shouldn't be as difficult for them as any of their first three games were. Bengals do have talent, but they aren't as good as they were in 2014 and 2015. Plus, the Bengals are still coached by Marvin Lewis, who just doesn't know how to win an important game. Atlanta Falcons are too talented to start the season 1-3. Two years ago, they looked very dominating and it seemed like Matt Ryan had finally reached the status of elite quarterbacks. They had a down year last season, yet they still made it to the playoffs. If they lose at home again and the Saints win their matchup against the Giants today, making it to the playoffs will become a real tough challenge for the Falcons. They better beat the Bengals today.
Dallas Cowboys: Two weeks ago, Dak Prescott needed to win against the New York Giants and he was able to do it. Last week, Mattew Stafford needed to beat Tom Brady and the Patriots to get his first ever signature win, and he was able to deliver. Now in week four, Prescott and Stafford are going up against one another. Both of them have been labeled by many as overrated quarterbacks, which is why both of them need to win this game, go to the playoffs, and finally win a playoff game. In my opinion, Dak Prescott needs this game more, simply because he plays for a bigger and a successful franchise. Let's just say Cowboys lose this game and Dak plays poorly, the Cowboys' scouting team will start looking into best college quarterbacks, who will be entering the draft next year. Dak Prescott doesn't want the Dallas Cowboys to regret letting Tony Romo retire early.
Oakland Raiders: I know Raiders are not looking to win the Super Bowl this year, but they are 0-3! Jon Gruden was brought back by the owner to take the Raiders back to their winning days. 0-3 is not the way to start your second-time as a head coach in the NFL. There are three reasons why the Raiders shouldn't lose this game. First of all, they are 0-3. Secondly, they have already lost their home opener to the LA Rams. Finally, they are playing against a team that got to win its first game in 600 plus days. The Raiders gave a ten-year, hundred million dollar contract to Jon Gruden to win games and be more than respectable. They didn't pay him to make the Raiders even worse than what they were under Jack Del Rio. The Raiders better win this game, otherwise, they will need to rebuild from the start!
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