Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 9

By Thomas Wheaton

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after throwing a 62 yard pass to take the all time yardage record against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after throwing a 62 yard pass to take the all time yardage record against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates teammate James White’s 1-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter. The New England Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills in a regular season NFL football game at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY on Oct. 29, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates teammate James White’s 1-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter. The New England Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills in a regular season NFL football game at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY on Oct. 29, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. New England Patriots

As per usual, the Patriots find themselves with yet another primetime game, this time on Sunday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. In a match-up between perhaps the best two quarterbacks in the league, everyone will have their eyes on offense. However, this game means much more to the Patriots than it does to the Packers in terms of standings.

The Patriots are chasing the Chiefs for the top seed in the AFC while the Packers are struggling to stay afloat in the NFC North. Foxborough will be rocking on Sunday night, but the Packers should obviously not be underestimated as Aaron Rodgers can always find a way to win a game that appears impossible to win.

At 6-2, the Patriots would be the second seed should the playoffs start today. Obviously they don’t and the Patriots will surely do everything in their power over the next eight weeks to earn the top spot in the AFC. It begins this week as a win over the Packers would go a long way in solidifying their position.

Brady vs. Rodgers is going to be a ton of fun, but defenses will likely be the x-factor in this one. Will the Packers defense, without Ha Ha Clinton-Dix mind you, be able to contain Brady and the machine that is the Patriots offense? It seems unlikely on paper, but anything can happen. The safe bet will be on the Patriots, especially at home, in a game that they would really like to win.