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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) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 09: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 09: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

1. NFL Teams in need of a Week 2 win – Dallas Cowboys

America’s Team had the unenviable task of trying to take down the defending Super Bowl champions on Opening Night and actually acquitted themselves quite well. Minus key guard Zack Martin, the Cowboys all but abandoned the run and let Dak Prescott sling it all over the field to great success.

The end result was a brutally close loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that highlighted the ongoing struggles of Dallas’ defense. Tom Brady diced up the Cowboys’ secondary, throwing for 379 yards and four touchdowns, which is an issue as Dallas would like to be able to win games without having to resort to outlasting dynamic offenses in shootouts.

The return of Martin should help, but things won’t be easy for Dallas this week as they hit the road again to take on the Chargers. Justin Herbert had a relatively quiet day in Los Angeles’ season-opening win against Washington but he will surely be licking his chops to take a shot at the Dallas defense.

Starting on the road against two dynamic offenses wasn’t going to be easy for the Cowboys, but a loss at SoFi Stadium would put Dallas in an 0-2 hole. The NFC East will be up for grabs all year long but putting themselves in a position to be chasing .500 again is not what Dallas drew up over the winter.

Next. The Steelers should really call Cam Newton. dark

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