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5 NFL teams that must win in Week 12

By Mike Phillips

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)
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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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on November 17, 2019, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on November 17, 2019, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Houston Texans

There may not be a more maddening team to watch in the NFL than the Houston Texans. There have been periods this season where the Texans look like one of the best teams in football, such as when they went into Arrowhead Stadium and beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.

The Texans have also looked like a complete disaster at others, like last week when they were completely outclassed by the Baltimore Ravens. The first career showdown between Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson turned into a 41-7 laugher for the Ravens, who ran wild on the Texans’ front seven all game long.

That loss was very damaging for the Texans, who fell back into a first place tie with the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. The two teams are set to square off tonight in Houston on Thursday Night Football, with the contest being massively more important for the home team.

Houston has already lost once to the Colts this season, with Indianapolis picking up a 30-23 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 23. If the Colts complete the season sweep tonight, they would be a game up on the Texans for first place in the division and hold the all-important tiebreaker, making it essentially a two-game deficit for Houston.

Given the muddled state of the AFC playoff race and a tricky upcoming schedule, it is of the utmost importance for the Texans to walk away from Week 12 with a win. If Houston can’t secure this victory, they might find themselves on the outside looking in by the end of the season.

Next. 5 best NFL bets in Week 12. dark

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