5 NFL teams that must win in Week 15

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Nsimba Webster (14) returns a kickoff during the NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams on December 08, 2019, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 08: Houston Texans Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes to Houston Texans Wide Receiver Keke Coutee (16) during the game between the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos on December 8, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Houston Texans

There may not be a more Jekyll and Hyde team in the NFL this season than the Houston Texans. There have been incredibly high peaks, such as the big victory over the New England Patriots at home in Week 13, and steep lows, like the loss they followed it with against the Denver Broncos.

The Texans no doubt read their press clippings about how great they were and underestimated the Broncos, who entered the contest at 4-8 with a rookie quarterback in Drew Lock. Denver proceeded to jump out to a 31-3 lead en route to a 38-24 win, sealing the trap game the Texans fell right into.

That loss was damaging since it cost the Texans a chance to maintain their one-game lead in the AFC South over the Tennessee Titans, who have been red hot since switching quarterbacks from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill. The two teams are set to meet up this week in Nashville for the first of two matchups over the final three weeks of the year to help decide the division.

While a win would be key for Houston here, the reason they are lower than Tennessee is because this is a road game for them. The Week 17 matchup is in Houston, so there is a bit less pressure on the Texans in this game than the Titans.

Houston would be well served to win it, however, and gain the edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker entering Week 17. A wild card spot remains a possibility for the loser, but the Texans would be well-advised not to push their luck.

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