Some NFL teams are winless after the first two weeks, and while things look bleak, the season isn’t lost just yet. Sure, an 0-2 start isn’t what anyone hoped for in 2024, but the game isn’t over before the leaves even start changing.
The numbers for 0-2 teams aren’t pretty. Since 1990, 279 squads have stumbled out of the gate with two straight losses, and only 32 of them clawed their way to the playoffs (11.5%). Just 17 of those won their division (6.1%), and only three teams managed to hoist the Lombardi Trophy (1.1%). In the last three years, 19 out of 21 teams that went 0-2 missed the playoffs entirely. Falling to 0-3 is practically a season-ender. Since 1990, out of 162 teams that started 0-3, only four made the playoffs, two won their division, and none made it to the Super Bowl.
However, not all hope is lost. Look at the Bengals in 2022—they dropped their first two games but made it to the AFC Championship Game. Or the 2023 Texans, who were down bad after losing their first two by double digits, only to win the AFC South and have a memorable playoff run, thanks to C.J. Stroud’s great rookie year. So, with that in mind, let’s dive into why each of these 0-2 teams might have a shot at turning their season around.
5. Tennessee Titans
Reason for Optimism: Mistakes Are Fixable
The Titans could easily be 2-0 right now, but they’re 0-2 due to a few critical mistakes. Will Levis’s turnovers and blocked punts cost them dearly? Despite these errors, the running game has been strong, with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears leading the charge. Levis has also shown flashes of brilliance, launching deep passes when given the chance.
Defensively, the Titans have been impressive. Jeffery Simmons and rookie T’Vondre Sweat have dominated the line of scrimmage, while Harold Landry is fully back from his ACL tear, racking up three sacks. The secondary, which struggled last season, now ranks in the top 10 in key metrics. If Levis can eliminate the costly mistakes, the Titans have the talent to make a run.
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4. Indianapolis Colts
Reason for Optimism: Jonathan Taylor is Back in Top Form
The Colts are 0-2, but their season isn’t over. Anthony Richardson is still in the early stages of his NFL career, with growing pains expected. Richardson needs help, and the good news for Indy is that Jonathan Taylor looks like his old self. After a rough 2023, Taylor burst out with 103 yards on 12 carries in Week 2, forcing five missed tackles and showing his trademark explosiveness.
Shane Steichen made a questionable decision to bench Taylor in the fourth quarter last week, but if the Colts commit to their star running back, he could be the key to settling Richardson down. Taylor is the most reliable part of the Colts’ offense right now, and if they lean on him more, the Colts have a better shot at turning their season around.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Reason for Optimism: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Potential as a Playmaker
Trevor Lawrence is right—the Jaguars have too much talent to be struggling this much. Jacksonville’s O-line has been a weak spot, with Lawrence missing passes he should be hitting. The offense ranks 25th in the league, but there’s a clear path to improvement, starting with rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas has been a bright spot for the Jaguars, averaging 3.1 yards per route run, tied for ninth among all receivers. He’s turned just eight targets into six catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. His ability to separate from defenders and stretch the field makes him a weapon the Jags need to use more. Jacksonville’s defense has been solid, with linebacker Devin Lloyd making plays all over the field. If the offense finds its rhythm and gives Thomas more opportunities, the Jags could quickly turn things around.
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2. Cincinnati Bengals
Reason for Optimism: The Bengals Have Been Here Before
For the third straight season, the Bengals are 0-2. In 2022, they made it to the AFC Championship Game, and despite Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in 2023, they still finished 9-8. Burrow has struggled in the early weeks of the season, holding a 1-9 record in Weeks 1 and 2. However, Week 2 already showed signs of improvement, with a sharper offense and a defense that flew around the field.
Despite missing Tee Higgins and holding Ja’Marr Chase to four catches for 35 yards, the Bengals still outgained the Chiefs in Week 2. The return of Higgins could help Chase return to his deep-play ways, as Burrow struggles more against man coverage without him. With Higgins back and Chase targeted more often on vertical routes, the Bengals’ offense should return to its explosive form. Given their history and the early signs of improvement, the Bengals have every reason to believe they can still make a playoff push.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Reason for Optimism: Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers’ Dynamic Connection
The Ravens are 0-2, but things aren’t as bleak as they might seem. They were a few plays away from being 2-0, with their losses coming after a 10-point crumble. It’s their first time starting 0-2 since 2015 and the first time Lamar Jackson has lost back-to-back games he started and finished since 2020. History shows the Ravens have bounced back from slow starts—three of the four teams that began 0-2 after hosting a conference championship game still made the playoffs, except the 2002 Rams.
The O-line needs work, and the defense, under first-year coordinator Zach Orr, has allowed too many big plays. However, the bright spot has been the connection between Jackson and Zay Flowers. Flowers had seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Unlike last year, when Flowers’ catches often came from quick screens, he’s becoming a consistent deep threat. If Flowers can maintain this role, the Ravens’ offense could thrive, making Baltimore a dangerous team to watch.
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