Five Playoff-Hopeful NFL Teams Needing a Win in Week Four

As the NFL enters week four of the regular season, some surprise teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks have gotten off to a fast starts to lead their divisions.

Meanwhile, some teams that were predicted to walk into the playoffs have suffered early season struggles. History has shown that it can be difficult for these teams to recover enough to reach the NFL playoffs.

While some of the teams I will mention are still very much in the race to win their division, if not leading their division, these teams still have pivotal games in week four.

Washington Redskins

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Donavan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins scrambles against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Redskins 30-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Record: 1-2, T2nd in NFC East

After a deflating loss to the St. Louis Rams, Washington fans' excitement about the new-look Washington Redskins has turned to anxiety about whether this team has playoff potential.

With the early-season division lead on the line against the Philadelphia Eagles this week, a win would go a long way toward putting the Redskins back in the conversation as a team that could win the brutal NFC East.

Moreover, a loss to the Eagles could be damaging to ex-Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb. On the flip side, a strong performance against his former team could set the stage for an outstanding season for McNabb.

Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks heads off the field after defeating the San Diego Chargers 27-10 at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Record: 2-1, T1st in NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks have been somewhat of an early-season surprise in 2010. Under a new coach, Pete Carroll, the Seahawks sit atop their division after the first three weeks of the regular season.

In order for the Seahawks to remain at the top of the NFC West throughout the season, the team will need to win games that they should win. One of those games will take place this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

With a win against the Rams, the Seahawks could begin to separate themselves from the rest of a weak division. Conversely, a loss against St. Louis could begin a downward spiral that will have everyone forgetting this early-season success when playoff time rolls around.

San Francisco 49ers

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm ups prior to the NFL season opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on September 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty

Record: 0-3, 4th in NFC West

With the troubling quarterback situation in Arizona, this was supposed to be the year that the San Francisco 49ers supplanted the Cardinals as the best team in the NFC West.

After losses to the Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers have put themselves in a situation where they need to worry about finishing in the division's cellar rather than thinking about the playoffs.

A close loss to the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in week two showed that this 49ers team does have potential. However, the team does not have an easy road ahead as they travel to Atlanta this week to meet the 2-1 Falcons.

A win against the Falcons mark be a turnaround moment for the 49ers' season. On the other hand, a loss to Atlanta would mean a strong possibility of a 0-5 start to the season with a game against the Eagles in week five on the horizon.

Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Peyton Hills #40 of the Cleveland Browns is stopped by the Baltimore Ravens defense at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Record: 2-1 T2nd in AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens are still very much in contention for the AFC North title. Having said that, a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday could determine whether or not the Ravens are playoff-bound.

After losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in week two, an 0-2 division record would not bode well for the Ravens' playoff chances. Not to mention, a loss against the Steelers without Ben Roethlisberger would be a crushing mental blow for when the Ravens meet a Pittsburgh team led by their franchise quarterback later in the season.

A win would put the Ravens back on an even playing field with the Steelers heading into week five, but a loss could be difficult to recover from considering the Ravens would have a hard time winning any tiebreakers within the division. 

Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Record: 2-1, T1st in AFC South

For the past several seasons, the Houston Texans have been a trendy pick to sneak into the playoffs. However, the Texans have never been able to perform well enough against the Indianapolis Colts to win the division.

In week one, the Texans were successful in defeating Indianapolis. With that victory, Houston has an excellent chance at finally reaching the playoffs. In order to do so, the Texans will need to win games they are expected to win easily and continue to perform well in the division.

A game against the Oakland Raiders in week four is an example of a game that the Texans should expect to win easily.

With the Tennessee Titans playing well, the AFC South could figure to be a highly competitive division heading into the final week of the season. One win could make the difference between winning the division and missing the playoffs all together. Therefore, a loss to a Raiders team that the Texans should beat could be something the team would look back on in disgust as they sit at home watching the Colts and/or Titans playing in the post-season.