Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 17

By Thomas Wheaton

(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) makes a pass during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins on December 16, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) makes a pass during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins on December 16, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota Vikings

The only team that can replace the Vikings as the sixth seed in the NFC is the Philadelphia Eagles, but that is only if the Vikings lose. If Minnesota wins, they are in ahead of Philadelphia, regardless of what they do. If the Eagles win and the Vikings lose, the reigning champs will have a shot at defending their title.

Minnesota has a tough match up at home as they face the Chicago Bears and their fierce defense led by Khalil Mack. Minnesota has a solid defense of their own, but it isn’t on the same level as Chicago’s. With much of the Viking’s struggles this season coming from the offensive side of the ball, this game could be quite a challenge for Minnesota. Kirk Cousins is going to need to put on the best performance of his career to get his team past the Bears, and even then, it may not be enough.

The Eagles travel to Washington to take on the Redskins who are quarterbacked by Josh Johnson. Yep, you read that correctly. With injuries to Alex Smith and Colt McCoy the Redskins are now leaning on Johnson. Despite their season being over, they can sure mess with the Eagles and their chances, but Philadelphia is the much better team and should come out with a win, putting all of the pressure on Minnesota.

Will Mike Zimmer’s squad be able to make it back into the playoffs? With the expectations so high for the Vikings coming into the year, it would be quite a failure should they miss. With the pressure on, it will be interesting to see how Cousins and company respond.