Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 16

By Thomas Wheaton

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The end of the NFL season is quickly approaching and several teams desperately need a win, for various reasons, in Week 16.

Just as I thought I was getting the hang of this with back to back winning weeks, my five picks for Week 15 went 2-3. The Patriots, Cowboys, and Seahawks all lost games that would have clinched them a playoff spot, go figure.

Meanwhile the Texans and Bears continued their roll and seem poised to make deep playoff runs.

This week is no different from last with a litany of bizarre playoff scenarios, but this late in the season, that is to be expected.

Let’s kick off this week’s five teams that need a win with the Dallas Cowboys, once again.

5. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys came up short last week against the Colts and that is putting it lightly. They got blanked and looked undeserving of a playoff spot, yet still find themselves only one win from clinching the NFC East.

The Cowboys need a win desperately, not only to clinch their spot in the playoffs, but perhaps more importantly, they need to make up for their pitiful Week 15 performance.

Dak Prescott and company need to bounce back and show that last week was merely a fluke and not indicative of anything more.

At home against the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this is a perfect opportunity for the Cowboys to make a statement heading into the playoffs.

If the defense continues to play well the offense has more margin for error, but they need to get back to their roots and establish the running game with Ezekiel Elliot.

The Cowboys are a talented team, but there still seems to be some doubt that they can compete with the juggernauts at the top of the NFC. Will they silence some of their critics in the final two weeks before playoffs?