3 teams facing must-win games in Week 6
The NFL season may be only five weeks old, but in a 16-game campaign, it doesn't take long for teams to start running into must-win matchups.
Here are three teams facing pivotal contests in Week 6.
Oakland Raiders (2-3)
vs. Los Angeles Chargers
This wasn't how it was supposed to go for the much-hyped Raiders. Sitting third in the AFC West behind the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and the resurgent Denver Broncos, the Raiders are scrambling for answers on both sides of the ball.
The return of Derek Carr - who was expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks due to a back injury, but will ultimately miss just one game - should give the offense a boost. Still, Oakland can't expect the quarterback to solve all its offensive woes. Even with him under center in Week 3, the Raiders managed a paltry 128 yards of total offense.
Importantly, the Raiders can lift their divisional record to 1-1 by taking down the struggling Chargers. However, while Oakland beat Los Angeles twice in 2016, the Raiders did so by a combined six points. Carr and Co. can't fall into the trap and crush their hopes of capturing a wild-card spot.
Miami Dolphins (2-2)
at Atlanta Falcons
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
If any team needs a win and a strong offensive performance, it's the Jay Cutler-led Dolphins.
While few believed Cutler would be a dramatic upgrade on the injured Ryan Tannehill, most assumed the veteran pivot would play solidly enough for Miami to make a playoff push - especially in Adam Gase's system, in which he previously excelled.
Instead, the Dolphins have scored an embarrassing 22 points over the past three games. The good news is that the Patriots aren't running away with the AFC East (yet), and given the severe lack of good teams in the conference, the Dolphins aren't out of the wild-card race.
Another loss might not be fatal, but another offensive dud would kill any lingering hope of a rebound.
New Orleans Saints (2-2)
vs. Detroit Lions
Back-to-back wins have kept the Saints on life support following two defeats to start the season, and the Carolina Panthers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday means the division remains up for grabs.
But New Orleans' margin for error for the rest of the year is small, with the Atlanta Falcons at 3-1 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 2-2. In their next four games after facing the Lions, the Saints have to travel to Green Bay and Buffalo, and play a tough divisional game at home against the Bucs. They simply can't afford a slip-up against Detroit.
The Saints have the firepower to outduel a hobbled Matthew Stafford, especially with their improving defense, and thus avoid falling into a terminal 2-3 hole.