Well, that is how it feels for Pulse captain Katrina Grant.
The Wellington-based side lost three of its first five games, putting it in a precarious position. Traditionally, any more than four losses and the chances of making the playoffs are slim.
The Steel slipped into the playoffs with just eight wins in 2009 and 2010. But every other season the cut-off has been nine wins or four losses, depending on your particular outlook on life.
The Pulse's extra-time win over the competition-leading Magic in Hamilton on Monday came as a huge relief.
That relief was short-lived, though. This Monday's game against the Steel in Invercargill is just as critical.
For the Steel, a loss will almost certainly consign the franchise to an also-ran. For the Pulse, defeat will leave the team's season teetering on the brink. It is high-pressure netball.
''It kind of does feel like that [a final every week],'' Grant said.
''We know that one more loss could potentially kick us out. So we know we've got a bit of a fight on our hands to try and make that top four.''
Grant hopes the dramatic 56-53 win over the Magic will prove to be a turning point in the season.
''It was good for us because we had had two pretty disappointing losses ... and then got to front up and play some netball which we were proud of and which we know we can produce.''
Grant said her side had been playing as individuals and paid for that with a shock loss to the Tactix and a heavy defeat to the Swifts.
Lessons had been gleaned, though, and the Pulse has won the last five consecutive games against the Steel, including a 67-56 win in Wellington in March.
While the visiting side will start as the favourite, Grant is wary of the Steel's ability to score rapidly. It will be her job to try to shut down star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.
The game, though, might be decided at the other end. The Steel's defensive unit has tried hard but has struggled to restrict teams, coughing up an average of more than 63 goals a game.
The Steel has conceded fewer than 60 goals just once in six games. It was an area the Pulse would look to exploit through experienced shooters Donna Wilkins and Irene van Dyk, Grant said.
