One game each NFL team can’t afford to lose in 2020
New York Jets
Week 4 – Denver Broncos @ New York Jets
After an abysmal start to the season, the New York Jets finished last season on a 6-2 run over the last half of the season. This coincided greatly with the health of their young quarterback, Sam Darnold. Now it’s time to prove if they’re legit playoff contenders or if they simply caught fire late in 2019.
The Denver Broncos are planning to be in the playoffs in 2020 – so a game at home against a should-be playoff team primes up nicely for Sam Darnold and the Jets. If the team is building correctly towards its’ future, this would be a massive win to prove the vision right.
Maybe the Jets aren’t actually in contention in 2020 – but they can show that they’re close by stealing this early season win against Denver.
Philadelphia Eagles
Week 16 – Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles were gifted the NFC East a season ago after an epic collapse from the Dallas Cowboys. But, they do still believe they’re the superior team. If they are, they have to prove it at crunch time.
Despite their Super Bowl LII Championship, Philadelphia continues to be underrated in the national media. Perhaps it’s the injury history of quarterback Carson Wentz, perhaps its the suspect nature of the defense or the running game, or maybe it’s just because the team has not won anything since then.
Regardless – for the Eagles to gain respect they have to advance back to the NFC Title Game (or further), and that starts with winning their division. Assuming that the season goes as expected – this is the most important game on the Eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6 – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
A season ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers, wrecked by injuries, finished 8-8, missed the playoffs, and go blown away by the 14-2 Baltimore Ravens for the NFC North title.
Now, though, with the team fully health – notably quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back James Conner – Pittsburgh seems primed to compete again in the division, and the AFC.
That starts with their first tilt with the Ravens of the season, in Baltimore. Pittsburgh goal as an organization should not be simply to get into the playoffs, but should rather be to compete for a division title. If they’re going to do that, they have to set the tone early, in the first matchup. A loss here, based on the Ravens’ schedule, makes the division feel out of reach for the Steelers.
San Francisco 49ers
Week 17 – Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers rode a phenomenal defense and running game all the way to the Super Bowl a season ago, with their NFC West championship to a first round bye that put them in prime position to do so.
That division title was decided in the Week 17 battle between the 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Nothing less than winning the division in 2020 should be acceptable to San Francisco – and that means that this game, again, sets up as the must-win game on their schedule. As stacked as the NFC Playoffs will be in 2020, there is no chance that a team can be a Wild Card and win three straight road games to make it to Super Bowl LV.
The 49ers must win Week 17 against Seattle.