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5 NFL teams that must win in Week 16

By Mike Phillips

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes a snap against the Washington Redskins on December 15, 2019, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes a snap against the Washington Redskins on December 15, 2019, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 15: Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Michael Gallup (13) checks with the line judge during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams on December 15, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 15: Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Michael Gallup (13) checks with the line judge during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams on December 15, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Dallas Cowboys

This spot is nothing new for the Dallas Cowboys, who have been featured in this space so often that they could easily be charged rent. Dallas is on the list for the fourth straight week, but the big difference last week was that they actually did pick up a much-needed win.

It wasn’t just a simple escape by a field goal style victory either for Dallas, which took the red-hot Rams and beat them up pretty badly. Dallas dominated in all three phases of the game, delivering their most complete performance of the season to boot.

That effort is one that everyone knows Dallas is capable of based on the talent their roster has alone, but they simply haven’t played up to expectations at all. A combination of injuries, bad coaching, bad luck, and random dips in performance all factor into why the Cowboys are a .500 team entering Week 16.

The good news for the Cowboys is that they are in complete control of their own destiny. A win this week against the Philadelphia Eagles will clinch the NFC East crown since they would complete a head-to-head sweep of the Eagles in the process.

There is still an avenue for Dallas to win the division even if they lose this game, which is why they are only third this week. That isn’t the case for the next teams on our list.

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