After two weeks of action, nine teams currently have 0-2 records. This doesn’t count the Atlanta Falcons, who might drop to 0-2 depending on what happens in Monday Night’s battle against the Philadelphia Eagles. This obviously isn’t ideal, as the NFL’s 17-game season means that a slow start could sink some organizations. So, is it time to throw in the towel for these teams, or can they overcome the disappointing start to the season?
Should These 0-2 Teams Panic Over Slow Start?
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens might be the unluckiest of all the 0-2 teams. They came a toe’s length away from upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 and narrowly lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. The Raiders loss is hard to forgive, as Baltimore should be a far superior team, but weird losses are uncommon in the NFL. Seeing as the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only 2-0 team in the division, Baltimore still has a decent shot at the division crown, although they probably won’t earn the AFC’s lone bye week.
Panic Meter: 3/10
Carolina Panthers
It’s over. Nobody expected the Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl or even compete for a wild card spot. Instead, the 2024 season was about seeing what Bryce Young could do with an improved supporting cast. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Young looks even worse than he did a season ago despite improving the offensive line and adding reliable playmakers in first-round pick Xavier Legette and veteran Diontae Johnson. Young will start in Week 3, but it’s only a matter of time before Carolina officially gives up on him and begins yet another rebuild.
Panic Meter: 10/10
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals and slow starts: name a more iconic duo. For whatever reason, Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor always start slow but figure it out as the season progresses. Burrow hasn’t played up to his 2021-2022 form thus far, which is a legitimate cause for concern, but they’re one of the safer 0-2 teams out there. Even if the former first-overall pick maintains this level of play, there’s enough talent on this team to earn a Wild Card spot. After all, they just narrowly lost to the reigning Super Bowl champions, so they can hold their own against anyone.
Panic Meter: 4/10
Denver Broncos
Much like the Panthers, the Denver Broncos were one of the 0-2 teams that never stood a shot at competing in 2024. This season was all about seeing if rookie Bo Nix has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback. So far, that experiment hasn’t gone well, as all of his shortcomings in college have followed him to the NFL. Through two weeks, the first-round pick has thrown four interceptions without a single touchdown and averages just 4.99 yards per attempt. It’s far too early to give up on him, but you’re starting to see why he was the sixth quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bo Nix is 11-of-36 for 212 and 4 picks on passes more than five (!) yards downfield.
His 30.6% completion rate on such passes is the lowest in the league by six percent AND the worst figure in Weeks 1 and 2 in the last 10 years. https://t.co/R55kLFOomT
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) September 16, 2024
Panic Meter: 5/10
Tennessee Titans
The Titans spent big in free agency as they went all-in on the promise of Will Levis. So far, that seems like a bad bet, as they’re one of the most disappointing 0-2 teams in the league. Levis had highs and lows as a volatile rookie, but his erratic style of play has been an absolute liability in 2024. Thanks to his boneheaded turnovers, Tennesee lost Week 1 despite not allowing a touchdown and most any other quarterback would’ve beaten the New York Jets in Week 2. Perhaps the team can turn it around when Mason Rudolph takes over, but right now, it looks like it’ll be a long season.
Panic Meter: 9/10
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars suck right now. Don’t take my word for it, just ask the $275 million man himself. Some 0-2 teams can justify a slow start due to all the moving pieces from the offseason, but Jacksonville isn’t one of them. While they added some new names, Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson have been together for three seasons. If this is what three years of familiarity looks like, they might not get a fourth together.
#Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence: "We suck right now." pic.twitter.com/teCDCsYLHf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2024
Panic Meter: 8/10
Indianapolis Colts
It’s probably not good that the Colts looked more competitive in 2023 with Gardner Minshew than in 2024 with former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Richardson can make some of the most amazing plays you will ever see, but consistency is still a major issue. The rest of the roster isn’t talented enough to compensate for his inconsistent play, which is why they’re one of the nine 0-2 teams. Richardson entered the league as a raw prospect, so it’s too early to give up on him. However, right now he’s looking more like Justin Fields than Josh Allen.
Panic Meter: 7/10
New York Giants
What exactly did you expect? The Giants had no choice but to stick with Daniel Jones in 2024, and they’re playing exactly as well as everyone expected. Brian Daboll inadvertently set the franchise back a half-decade by using his scheme to trick the Giants front office into thinking Jones could be anything other than terrible in 2022. This season is a lost cause and they’ll be battling the Carolina Panthers for the first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Panic Meter: 10/10
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is phenomenal, but the 2022 season proved that he can’t win games with a walking MASH unit. Los Angeles suffered an absurd amount of injuries through the first two weeks of the season, and that’s without officially knowing the full extent of the Cooper Kupp injury. Replacing Aaron Donald is a big enough ask, but now they must also replace Puka Nacua and most of their starting offensive line on the fly. Good luck, Stafford.
Panic Meter: 9/10
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
