NFL Power Rankings: 5 Most Under-Pressure Teams

With the Week 4 games upon us, it's time to take a look at those teams who really need to step it up on Sunday. 

About half of the league is sitting at 2-1, while most of the others are 1-2.  It's teams like the Buffalo Bills being undefeated so far that are throwing things off in the league. 

The teams that normally dominate are the ones who need to get their acts together this weekend.  New England, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh all need wins to alleviate some pressure.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots take on the Oakland Raiders in Oakland Coliseum.  The Pats are just coming off of their first loss to the Buffalo Bills and need to redeem themselves. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field this Sunday. 

Both teams are sitting at 1-2 with a lot to gain from a win.  The Bears just lost to long-time rival the Green Bay Packers, and Jay Cutler needs to prove that he can take the team to a Super Bowl. 

If the Bears lose and fall two games back, it may be hard to recover. The NFC North division is going to be strong this season.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are tied with the Panthers in the NFC South at 1-2.  They are in the same boat as the Bears in that they don't need to fall two games back in this division.

The Dirty Birds will head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks, where being the visiting team is always a daunting task.

Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick is supposed to be redeeming himself in Philadelphia, but somehow they are still sitting in last place.  The Eagles will be hosting the San Francisco 49ers. 

Alex Smith thinks that this is going to be an easier game than normal.

He told ESPN, "There is much less pressure in terms of linebackers and secondary. Before it was high pressure, a lot of different looks, giving me a lot of different things to think about. This isn’t quite as much variety, but they’re still giving as much pressure."

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are not playing up to their typical dominance. 

They need to bounce back from their near loss to the Colts last week.  The defense has been doing OK, but Roesthlisberger and the offense need to get to work.