Fansided

3 teams that must win in Week 2 to have playoff hopes

By Mike Phillips

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 12: Julio Jones #2 of the Tennessee Titans drops a pass during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 12: Julio Jones #2 of the Tennessee Titans drops a pass during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team reacts against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at FedExField on September 12, 2021, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team reacts against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at FedExField on September 12, 2021, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

These three teams need to get into the win column in Week 2 in order to maintain their playoff hopes.

There are a ton of overreactions to Week 1 of the NFL season, especially if teams expected to contend suffer an early loss. The stigma of going 0-2 is a bit lessened with an extra regular-season game but it isn’t a mark that any playoff-caliber team would want to try and test.

Of all the teams that lost in Week 1, these three find themselves in the most desperate need of a victory in Week 2. Let’s get started with the Washington Football Team.

3. NFL Teams in need of a Week 2 win – Washington Football Team

The Football Team played tough against the Los Angeles Chargers but suffered a tough 20-16 defeat in Week 1. The loss of Ryan Fitzpatrick to a hip injury obviously didn’t help but losing winnable games isn’t ideal for Washington, which doesn’t have a large margin for error in the NFC East.

The schedule throws Washington an early Week 2 curveball by bringing the New York Giants to town on a Thursday night, meaning there is a very real chance that Fitzpatrick may not be ready to go for the game. Taylor Heinicke, who went 11-of-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown in relief of Fitzpatrick, would be in line to start against a fierce Giants’ defense.

The NFC East isn’t a great division but starting 0-2 isn’t a great path towards a postseason berth regardless of the strength of the four teams in it. The Football Team would be well-advised to get a big division win over New York to try and stabilize things at 1-1.

Home/NFL