5 NFL teams that must win in Week 6

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Of all the results to come out of Week 5, perhaps the most shocking was Kansas City losing at home to Indianapolis on Sunday Night Football. The Chiefs entered the contest on an absolute roll, winning four straight games to start the season and having scored 25 or more points in an NFL-record 25 straight games, but everything came undone against the Colts.

Indianapolis bullied the Chiefs’ defense up front, using a power running attack to milk the clock and limit Patrick Mahomes’ possessions. Mahomes did display a bit of brilliance in the game on a ridiculous touchdown throw to Byron Pringle, but his mobility was severely limited due to an ankle injury.

Next up for the Chiefs is another home game against an AFC South opponent when the Houston Texans enter Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Texans put together their best performance of the season against Atlanta last week, putting up 53 points and watching Deshaun Watson throw five touchdown passes, three of which went to Will Fuller as part of an absurd 14/217/3 line.

The interesting point about the Chiefs’ inclusion here on the must-win list is that they are in no jeopardy of missing the playoffs. Even if they lose again to the Texans, they are still the presumed favorites to win the AFC West and secure a first round bye in the playoffs.

The reason the Chiefs have to win this week is in order to keep pace with New England, which continues along its cream-puff laden schedule. The Patriots don’t get a tough game until at least Week 9, so the Chiefs have to find a way to topple the Texans to keep pace in the race for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.