NFL Picks Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers and 5 Teams Who Need to Bounce Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) were dealt a series of tough blows on Sunday against the Houston Texans, and it wasn't only in the loss column. 

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left Houston in a walking boot, Rashard Mendenhall has a bad hamstring, All-Pro James Harrison fractured his orbital bone and the offensive line is still in shambles. Needless to say, a 17-10 loss to the 3-1 Texans was the least of the worries. 

Injuries happen in the NFL, but they are devastating to an older team that simply doesn't have the depth to cover for them. Nowhere is that more evident than on the offensive line, a unit that has given up 14 sacks and numerous other hits on Roethlisberger.

In Week 5, the Steelers take on the surprising Tennessee Titans, who after beating the Cleveland Browns are now 3-1. With the Ravens (3-1) essentially two games up on the Steelers via their Week 1 win, Pittsburgh is in danger of putting themselves in a tough spot within the division with a third loss.

Every week is a "must win" situation in the NFL, but the Steelers could really use a bounce back win this week against the Titans.  

The Steelers aren't the only team that needs a recovery win in Week 5. These four teams are in the same boat this weekend:

Philadelphia Eagles

Losing a fourth game in five weeks on the road in Buffalo would be really tough to get over. A 10-6 record is probably a generous cutoff for the NFC playoff picture, which means the Eagles would have to go 9-2 over the final 11 weeks to sneak into the playoffs. That's tough no matter how talented you are, especially when your quarterback is iffy on a week-to-week basis because of the way he plays. Sunday is a big day for the Eagles' 2011 season. 

Oakland Raiders

It's not as dire in Oakland at 2-2, but it's obvious that the Raiders can make the playoffs this season and they think it, too. Oakland hung with the Patriots last week after stinging a Jets team that has been the conference title game two straight years. However, a loss on Sunday to the Texans could easily put them two games back in the AFC West. The 3-1 Chargers should beat the Broncos on the road (although it's not a given). Good teams don't string losses together, and the Raiders are still proving to be worthy of that title.    

New York Jets

The Jets are looking more and more in trouble, especially considering how poorly the offensive and defensive lines have played in back-to-back weeks. First, it was the defensive line getting torched by Darren McFadden and the Raiders for 234 rushing yards. Then it was the offensive line, who couldn't block the Ravens on Sunday night. The Jets need to go to Foxborough and show the Patriots that the Jets will be a player in 2011, even if they don't leave with a win. 

Arizona Cardinals

It certainly sounds funny, but the 49ers are running away with the NFC West with a 3-1 record. The Cardinals are probably equally talented as San Francisco, but they currently sit at 1-3. Arizona essentially threw away a game they should have won on Sunday against the Giants. Now, they have to recover in time to beat a Minnesota team that hasn't won in 2011. Falling to 1-4 and giving the Vikings their first win would put the Cardinals' 2011 season in serious danger just five weeks in.