NFL Week 16: 5 teams that must win

1. Seattle Seahawks

We just talked about how bad the Cowboys need a win and the Seahawks are in an even worse boat. With an embarrassing loss to the Rams, they are in danger of not only losing the division but missing out of the playoffs. A win in Dallas this weekend is crucial and with their backs against the wall, the Seahawks have to bring their best game on Sunday.

As it stands, the Seahawks are the eight seed in the NFC playoff picture at 8-6. They’re actually one seed ahead of the Cowboys on paper but aren’t the better team in this matchup. With major injuries to key players in the secondary and a litany of problems on offense, the Seahawks feel more like a playoff pretender than contender this season. It’s something we haven’t said often with this team but they just aren’t that good this year and it has shown on the field.

Without Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are a below average team at best. He’s done just about everything for this offense, including running the football. He is the leading rusher by more than 300 yards this season, which is just sad. Other than Jimmy Graham, Wilson doesn’t have any weapons to target and is running for his life in the pocket. Unless the Seahawks can get it together, Wilson is going to be doing the same thing this week.

Next: Cowboys Film Room: What to do with Dallas’ receivers

The Seahawks cannot clinch a playoff berth this week but they could put themselves in a position to do that in Week 17 with a win against the Cowboys on Sunday.