There are currently nine 0-2 teams in the NFL (listed below), including three of the last four Super Bowl champions (indicated with an asterisk in the below list). History has taught us that it is incredibly difficult for a team to qualify for the playoffs if they start 0-2. Since the 12-team playoff format was introduced in 1990, 204 teams have begun a season 0-2, and only 23 of those teams have gone on to claim a postseason berth. But I believe multiple 0-2 NFL teams will make the playoffs this season.
Baltimore Ravens*
Indianapolis Colts
Houston Texans
New York Giants*
Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions
Chicago Bears
New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks*
Go ahead and throw out the Texans, Lions and Bears because none of them will come close to making the playoffs. I figured Houston would be better than they have shown, but then they hit the panic button way too early, and I don’t see them recovering. Detroit lost too much in the offseason (particularly on defense), quarterback Matthew Stafford is nursing injured ribs, and I thought they overachieved last season. The Bears just don’t look like a team capable of making the playoffs. With quarterback Jay Cutler out with a hurt hamstring, and Chicago lacking any real, recent success, it is almost impossible to believe they will come anywhere near the playoffs this season. I didn’t have any of these three teams making the playoffs when I made my preseason predictions, and how they have played during their 0-2 starts has done nothing to dissuade that notion.
That leaves six teams that could conceivably climb out of their 0-2 holes, and make the playoffs. Earlier I provided my thoughts on the NFC East, where I broke down why only one team from that division will make the playoffs, as well as my thoughts on each team, including the Eagles and Giants. Take a look at that article, if you haven’t already, and let me know your thoughts on that struggling division.
That leaves us with four teams that could possibly make the playoffs.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
I had Saints winning the NFC South in my preseason predictions, mainly due to them having the best quarterback in the division in Drew Brees. I thought the Carolina Panthers would take a step back (I still think this will happen), and the Atlanta Falcons would take a little bit of time to get accustomed to new head coach Dan Quinn. Both the Panthers and Falcons got off to 2-0 starts, but neither have looked great in their wins.
I still believe the NFC South will fail to provide a wild card, and if Brees was 100% healthy (it is being reported he could miss several games with a shoulder injury), I would still say the Saints have a shot at winning the division, even if their defense hasn’t been great, they’ve lost their mojo at the Superdome, and the protection of Brees has been lacking. But if Brees really is hurt, and he misses any time, New Orleans’ chances of making the playoffs absolutely plummets. It’s already doubtful that the Saints make the playoffs because they have more issues than just Brees’ shoulder, but if the injury to Brees is being over exaggerated, and he doesn’t miss any time, it is still possible the Saints steal the division.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
In my preseason predictions I picked the Ravens to be a wild card team in the AFC. Now John Harbaugh’s team is sitting at 0-2, and in last place in the AFC North, after losing games on the road to the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. They play three straight division games the next few weeks, and if they can win even two out of three of those games, then there will be some actual hope that they can right the ship.
But the offensive line hasn’t exceled like the Ravens had hoped, and the ground game is struggling as a result. They lost linebacker Terrell Suggs to a season ending Achilles injury in Week 1, and the defense didn’t look the same without him in Week 2. They also play in the pretty tough AFC North. But they do have Joe Flacco at quarterback, and playoff pedigree, so while it is difficult to have a ton of confidence in them, it is too early to count out the Ravens entirely.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Even though I figured the St. Louis Rams (Seahawks’ Week 1 matchup, on the road) would be better this season, and the Seattle had to face the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 2, this is still pretty shocking. The offense has started seasons slowly before, so it is very reasonable to assume quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Marshawn Lynch, and the rest of the offense will get it together. It is a bit troubling, if you’re a Seahawks fan, that the defense hasn’t looked as dominant as it has in recent years. Safety Kam Chancellor holding out certainly contributes to that, but the defense simply needs to play better. The good news is, with players like cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas, and linebackers Bruce Irvin and Bobby Wagner, they certainly have the talent to do just that.
Yes, they are looking up at the Arizona Cardinals, who hold a two game lead in the division right now. But Pete Carroll’s team were three games back in the division last season, and they ended up winning the division, and making a return trip the Super Bowl. Yes, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer being lost for the season last year definitely helped in that endeavor, but the Seahawks have the talent, coaching, and playoff experience to turn this around. It is way too early to count out Seattle. The Seahawks are the best 0-2 team, and I fully expect them to make the playoffs
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
I didn’t predict that the Colts would represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50 (I picked the Pittsburgh Steelers), but I did have them winning the division easily. Quarterback Andrew Luck and company have not played like a team on a Super Bowl mission, but they are more than capable of turning it around, and winning the division by a couple of games.
For starters, their offensive line has been a revolving door, and if they can get some consistency, and good play from their offensive line for the rest of the season that will go a long way towards helping fix things in Indy. Luck has turned the ball over roughly a million times in the first two weeks. OK, he’s only turned it over six times (five interceptions and one lost fumble), but I had to round up there. There is absolutely no way that trend continues. Luck is way too talented and intelligent to continue to turn the ball over at the rate he has the first two weeks. If his offensive line improves, that will help the turnover issue too. It’s difficult to play well when defenders are in your face constantly.
Luck, and the rest of the offense also need time to gel. They added two new, key pieces this offseason in running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Andre Johnson. It may take a few weeks for the offense to completely come together. Plus, the Colts have faced to really good defensive fronts (Buffalo Bills and New York Jets) in the first two weeks. Their schedule is largely easier the rest of the way (save a few tough games), and they play in a really weak division. Their run defense does need to drastically improve, and they are really hurting in the secondary with all of the injuries. But it is impossible to think that the Colts stumble so badly that they miss the playoffs. Luck is too good, and there is too much talent on offense for them to continue to struggle like they have been.
Overall I think both the Seahawks and Colts find themselves in the postseason, and I think the Giants have a really realistic shot at winning the weak NFC East. And both the Ravens and Saints (if Brees doesn’t miss time) can’t be counted out of the postseason yet. Given all of that, I think multiple 0-2 teams make the postseason this year.
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