Fansided

6 NFL Teams in need of a Week 2 win

By Luke Dahlgren

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) walks off the field after the first half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) walks off the field after the first half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL has only played one week, and yet there are promising teams about to enter into a deep 0-2 hole.

 The Dallas Cowboys are lucky to escape Week One with a win.

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All game long, the New York Giants limited quarterback Tony Romo’s effectiveness on deep throws, and made enough plays in the running game – and with Eli Manning throws in the tightest of windows – to give the Giants enough of a cushion throughout the game. Both teams played sloppy ball, but the plethora of turnovers and penalties didn’t appear to hurt the Giants.

What hurt the Giants was their play calling at the end of the game. After running out the clock near the Cowboys goal line up three, the Giants inexplicably threw out of the end zone on third down. They gave Romo over a minute of game time and only a six-point deficit. Jason Witten’s touchdown with seven seconds to go seemed predetermined.

The Cowboys were looking at a harsh early season stretch if they lost to the Giants. After the talented Eagles in Week Two, Dallas would face two NFC South opponents (v. Atlanta, @ New Orleans) before going against a murderous stretch (v. New England, @ New York Giants – who they would have already lost to – v. Seattle and @Philadelphia). Now it’s not out of the question that they enter that stretch 4-0.

Clearly not every team was as fortunate as Dallas. Seemingly automatic wins never came into fruition, and now set up essential Week Two matchups. Only 24 of 205 teams have made the playoffs since 1990 after starting 0-2, including only the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.

Some of these games are must-wins because they are easier matchups in the midst of a difficult schedule. Others are tough matchups following unlikely losses. Either way, Week Two could easily define the season for these five teams.

Next: Seattle Seahawks

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