Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 1

By Joe Schiller

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 31: Kamalei Correa
NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 31: Kamalei Correa /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs against Oakland Raiders linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) in the first quarter at AT
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs against Oakland Raiders linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) in the first quarter at AT /

2. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have seemed to be on the wrong end of things this offseason. In the midst of the Ezekiel Elliott suspension news, a win is exactly what this team needs to get back on focus for the regular season. Sunday night is a chance to make a statement.

Not only do the Cowboys need to win to rid the distractions, they also need a win against one of their biggest rivals in the NFC East. The New York Giants have had the Cowboys’ number as of recent, sweeping the season series last year. They look to be the favorites over the Cowboys to win the division this season.

After Week 1, things don’t get any easier for the Cowboys. They have the toughest schedule in the NFL this season. Along with divisional games, the Cowboys come up against the likes of the Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos in the AFC West. Three of their final four games of the season come on the road, with the only home game against the Seahawks. It’s not ideal, but this team has the opportunity to show that last season was no fluke and that they are legitimate threats in the NFC.

The road to repeating as division champs is a bumpy one and will only be possible if the Cowboys can start off the season strong. Earning a win on Sunday night does just that.