Early must win game for these NFL teams

One of the things we love most about the NFL is it's parody. Every fan base can embrace each new season with renewed optimism, regardless of what happened the previous year. Worst to first is not an NFL cliche...it's pretty much the norm now.

But for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Translation...

Recent history has shown that at least one of the twelve teams that made the playoffs a year ago won't make it back this season. After three games, these 2013 playoff teams are in serious jeopardy of being next if they don't pull off a victory this weekend.

Kansas City:

After three games, Kansas City looks more like the team that finished last year's regular season 2-5...not the one that started 9-0. Jamaal Charles, their best player, has been out....but no one cares. Half the league is down their running back. At 1-2, the Chiefs could be in trouble. Not only are they facing the Patriots this Monday night, but they're already behind division leading Denver and San Diego...both at 2-1. Another loss could bury them in the AFC Wildcard race....especially with games against the 49ers and Chargers the next two weeks.

Green Bay Packers:

Aaron Rogers and Company are also in a must win situation as they face Chicago...their bitter rival...this week. At 1-2, the Packers are a game behind the Bears (2-1). A loss would not only put the Packers two and a half games behind Chicago, but it would also drop them to 0-2 in their division. Both their loses have come to NFC teams (Seattle, Detroit), so an L this Sunday to another NFC opponent could put an early stranglehold on any tiebreaker advantage they may need when the season ends.

New Orleans Saints:

Yes, New Orleans (1-2) has been competitive in all of their games, but competitiveness isn't a criteria when it comes to playoff tiebreaker rules.

So again...no one cares.

The Saints travel to their dome away from home...Jerry World...for a prime time Sunday night match up with the new look Cowboys. Dallas' run game is for real, and the Saints struggle against the run. This could turn out to be very interesting. The Saints can ill afford to fall to 1-3. With Atlanta (2-1) looking like they're back, and Carolina  (2-1) continuing to win, a third loss in four games could have the Saints playing catch up all year...instead of pitch and catch.

San Francisco 49ers

If the 49ers were in any other division they may have avoided this list, but the NFC West is too brutal to survive a 1-3 start...especially when you're already two and a half games behind division leading Arizona (3-0), and some team in Seattle (2-1) is also a game ahead. This week San Fran takes on the read hot Philadelphia Eagles (3-0). This game will come down to a test of tendencies. The Eagles have come from behind in every game this season. The 49ers blew leads in both their losses. One thing's for sure, San Fran better figure it out this week, or it's three loses to NFC teams...this early in the season.

It's these types of games that we forget when the season comes to a close, and a team that's playing well misses out, while a team that started strong limped in.

It's all about the tiebreakers.

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