NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Dallas Cowboys and Teams in Must-Win Situations

Eric Bowman

Oct 26, 2011

As we the midpoint of the NFL regular season draws near, it's not too difficult to tell which teams are in desperate need of a victory in Week 8.

This year has been spectacular, and even though Sunday's games aren't all that great, the marquee matchups won't disappoint.

But just because every game doesn't shine well on paper, it doesn't change the fact a number of teams really need a win on Sunday, and that's not including the three winless NFL teams.

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Here are a few teams in desperate need of a win in Week 8 to stay alive in the power rankings.

Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles

These two teams make up the Sunday night game on NBC, which makes NFL fans happy there will be a good prime-time game. I listed both because each team is in a must-win situation, which is what makes this a must-see matchup.

The Eagles are looking to get out of last place in the division, and the Cowboys want to get this victory since their next ones aren't too difficult. Building a strong win streak in the middle of the season greatly helps a team make a push for the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers

Going into the season, one would have thought by Week 8 that the Chargers would only have one loss or possibly be undefeated. Few people expected this talented team to struggle to win against lesser opponents, as well as get beat by the Patriots and the Jets.

But here the Chargers are, hoping to stay on top of the AFC West if they can beat the surging Kansas City Chiefs, who have won three games in a row now. Should the Chargers lose on Monday night, then we'd have to wonder what in the world is going on in San Diego, and the blame game would certainly start firing away.

New England Patriots

You would think that the No. 2 team in my power rankings isn't in a must-win situation, but if they fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon then everyone will view them as nothing more than Tom Brady and a bunch of other guys.

Some people already look at New England that way, but with a resounding victory over such a mighty Steelers defense, it will give the Patriots more credibility for all those who doubt them.

This game could be an early preview of the AFC championship game later this winter.

Eric Bowman’s 2011 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. San Francisco 49ers

7. New York Jets

8. Houston Texans

9. San Diego Chargers

10. Chicago Bears