One game each NFL team can’t afford to lose in 2020

With the 2020 season set to kick off in six weeks, it’s time we take a look at one game each team cannot afford to lose if 2020 is going to be a success

As the ebb-and-flow of the season wears on, where teams are at in the standings and what they need to do (or have happen) in order to reach their goals often changes.

However, that does not mean that we cannot make educated guesses about what games might be the most important on any team’s given schedule. By this point, most fans are familiar with the reality that division games are most important, followed by conference games, and non-conference games are at the bottom of the “importance” list. But, not even all division games are created equal and for some teams, contests against other opponents may be more important for achieving what they believe is a successful season.

So, what are team’s goals in 2020? And to that end, what single game on their slate can they not afford to lose if they want the season to be a success?

Arizona Cardinals

Week 6 – Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys

The Arizona Cardinals have a brilliant young coach, a ultra-talented young quarterback, and have made strides at improving in every aspect of the game this offseason, starting with their trade for All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The goal has to be to reach the playoffs. But, in a division with the defending NFC champions (San Francisco) and the best quarterback in the NFC (Seattle’s Russel Wilson), the Wild Card is this young team’s best shot at the postseason in 2020.

Like the Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys are likely to find themselves in the hunt for a Wild Card playoff spot this season. Philadelphia is a more complete football team at the present, and simply a better run football operation, too. So, when the team’s meet in Week 6, Arizona must know that any loss to a team outside of the NFC West is brutal for them, but especially losses which could snag a postseason birth from their grasps. This is the first of many, many big games for Arizona – but its’ placement early and opponent make it the most important.

Atlanta Falcons

Week 15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

A disappointing 2019 left the Atlanta Falcons outside of the playoffs with a 7-9 record, despite some believing they have one of the best rosters in football (2nd most talented though, not so much…) At any rate, the goal for Atlanta must be to return to the postseason, and like the Cardinals before them, the Wild Card is their best outlet. Why? Because the New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFC, and are also in the NFC South.

So, if we assume that chalk wins and the Saints are going to win the division, again, with ease (again) – then we know that the NFC South will battle for one of three Wild Card births. With the NFC West being as good as it is, the odds of more than one team from the South getting in are small. So – Week 15’s showdown between Matty Ice and his Falcons, and new Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Tom Brady could be a huge game for both parties, and the NFC playoff picture.

Baltimore Ravens

Week 12 – Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Most seem to presume that the Baltimore Ravens are one of the top teams in the AFC and should compete for the Conference’s top seed, and championship, in 2020. Whether or not you buy that narrative – you should buy the story that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be much, much better than their 8-8 record showed them to be last year. The biggest reason is injuries – quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed 14 games, but the team also lost its’ backup quarterback, top two running backs and a slew of receivers for multiple games each. All of that, and the team still almost made the playoffs.

So, when Baltimore travels to Pittsburgh in their Week 12 matchup, it could have huge implications on the division crown and subsequently, on the AFC playoff picture. If Baltimore is unable to replicate their unbelievable 2019 regular season, this could be a game that determines the AFC North title – and that is imperative to the Ravens avenging their early 2019 playoff exit.