One game each NFL team can’t afford to lose in 2020
Seattle Seahawks
Week 17 – Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
The Seattle Seahawks must win Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers.
A season ago, the Seahawks lost in the final game of the regular season to the 49ers. The loss cost Seattle the division title and forced them on the road against a vastly inferior Eagles team in the Wild Card round. The Seahawks were victorious in that game but where then forced to travel to Green Bay for the Divisional Round, and came up just short.
A Wild Card team is not making it to the Super Bowl in the NFC. The Seahawks have the best quarterback in the NFC, so their only goal every year should be the Super Bowl. They must win Week 17 against the 49ers to do that.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, now led by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, have set their sights on playing in their home stadium during Super Bowl LV. Those goals are lofty and frankly, unreasonable.
But, the team can go a long ways to determining what kind of season they’re going to have, simply by putting up a good fight during their Week 1 contest with the New Orleans Saints. If the Bucs get blown out of the water, do not be surprised if all the wheels fall off this wagon.
But, making it a competitive game, or somehow earning a win, would show the rest of the NFL that this team is for real.
Tennessee Titans
Week 4 – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans rode on the back of running back Derrick Henry all the way to the AFC Title Game a season ago, and they had every opportunity early to put that game away.
But they didn’t. And now comes the much harder part – proving it. Are the Tennessee Titans for real, or was the title game run an aberration. It will not surprise us if this team misses the playoffs in 2020.
But, if they make the playoffs, they’ll do so as a Wild Card team (again), and they’ll do so by defeating other Wild Card contenders. That (likely) starts with their Week 4 battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A loss in this one sets a bad tone for the Titans season; but a win at home against Pitt could propel the team back to the playoffs.
Washington Football Team
Week 9 – New York Giants @ Washington Football Team
Washington has to show signs of life in 2020, and that begins by getting out of the basement of their own division. The New York Giants finished ahead of them a season ago (barely), and the East rivals drafted second and fourth in the 2020 NFL Draft.
So, Washington got rid of the entire coaching staff and brought in veteran head coach Ron Rivera to lead the way. By Week 9, it should be evident whether or not he, and theoretically quarterback Dwayne Haskins, are working. If Washington is going to finish ahead of the Giants, they’ve got to start by beating them in the nation’s capitol. A loss here ensures another top five pick for Washington.