5 NFL teams that must win in Week 12

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to throw the ball during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 17: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes up field against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at RingCentral Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

4. Oakland Raiders

One of the beneficiaries of the mediocre AFC is the Oakland Raiders, who have performed very well this season. After cutting ties with locker room malcontent Antonio Brown, few expected much from the Raiders, but they enter Week 12 just a half game out of first in the AFC West.

Part of that accomplishment is due to the struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs, but Oakland deserves credit for reshaping their team identity around the running game. Josh Jacobs is one of the favorites for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, rushing for 923 yards and seven touchdowns over Oakland’s first ten games.

That has made life much easier for Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr, who is able to work well off the running game and burn teams with the play-action pass. The Raiders did struggle a bit against Cincinnati last week, but their defense harassed Bengals’ rookie quarterback Ryan Finley in the victory.

It may be tempting for Oakland to look ahead to Week 13, when they go to Kansas City for a first place showdown with the Chiefs. The Raiders, however, could be walking into a trap at MetLife Stadium against the Jets.

Things have turned around for Gang Green, which has won two straight as Sam Darnold appears to have rebounded from a rough stretch of football. The Jets are more talented than their 3-7 record indicates, but this is a game a contending team like the Raiders has to win if they want to make. the playoffs.

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