Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 2

By Thomas Wheaton

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is forced out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half on September 09, 2018 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is forced out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half on September 09, 2018 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Jon Gruden, Derek Carr, Raiders
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders speaks with head coach Jon Gruden during their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Oakland Raiders

Obviously the Raiders were on this list last week with their debut on Monday Night Football against the Rams. So why are they here again? Well, they just so happen to be going into a divisional match up with a team that, after Week 1, is trending in a different direction. The Raiders will travel to Denver to play against the Broncos in what is expected to be a tight contest.

Case Keenum impressed in Week 1 against the Seahawks with 329 yards and three touchdowns. But he also had three interceptions against a weakened Seahawks defense. This means that a Raiders defense, despite being pretty poor, can take advantage of a mistake-prone Keenum.

The Raiders had a rough showing against the Rams. Their first half was solid, and they actually led a very talented Rams team heading into the half time break. However, a completely different team emerged from the locker room in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr had an incredible first half, completing 20 of his 24 passes for 199 yards. Unfortunately, he looked like a shell of himself in the second half, throwing the game away with two interceptions and numerous bad passes.

The Raiders are searching for any sense of legitimacy after Jon Gruden traded talented pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears. The Rams were a tough opponent to beat in Week 1, but the Broncos are much more manageable. If the Raiders are able to pick up a road victory over a divisional rival, they may be able to stop the bleeding a little bit. The press will be off their back (briefly) and they will have a reason to celebrate. A win in Week 2 would go a long way for a reeling Raiders team.