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Starting 0-2 in the NFL can be devastating. About 10 percent of teams that begin 0-2 go on to make the playoffs. In 2024, we have nine teams that failed to record a win through the first two weeks of the season. Today, we’re going to take a look at each squad and rank them based on their situation. Do any of those teams have a chance of crawling back into the playoff picture?
1. Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens are just a couple of plays away from being 2-0. Isaiah Likely’s big toe cost them a chance to win the opener versus the Chiefs. In Week 2, Baltimore blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter to Gardner Minshew and the Las Vegas Raiders. Lamar Jackson missed a few crucial throws down the stretch against Kansas City, and the Ravens’ choice to abandon the run — when have seen them do that before? — late against Vegas was an unwise decision. Slow starts aren’t too common in Baltimore. This is their first 0-2 start since 2015 (they finished 5-11). They’re on the road for four of the next six contests. Their next three games represent a gauntlet — @ DAL, vs. BUF, @ CIN. A Week 3 loss to Dallas would be devastating, but this Ravens team has won a ton of games together and will eventually find a way to get it done in the fourth quarter.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
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Unlike the Ravens, the Bengals are all too familiar with starting slow out of the gates. Cincinnati is 1-11 in Week 1 and 2 under Zac Taylor. It’s a troubling trend. Of course, they’ve been able to shake off those early woes in the past — they’ve finished above .500 each of the last three years despite the slow starts. Losing to the Patriots in Week 1 was a shocking upset, but a 1-point loss to the defending champion Chiefs isn’t something to get too worried about. The schedule favors them moving forward. There’s a good chance we’re talking about the 2-2 Bengals after their next two games — vs. WAS, @ CAR. Getting Tee Higgins back in Week 3 is a huge boost to the offense.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
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There might not be a team on this list with two more puzzling losses than the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 1, the Jags had the Miami Dolphins on the ropes until a Travis Etienne fumble shifted the game. Last week, Jacksonville was held to just 13 points and surrendered a safety in a home loss to Cleveland. The offense has looked completely disjointed, and Trevor Lawrence has put up pedestrian numbers. Could a coaching change be on the horizon? The talent in Jacksonville is evident, but they’re now 1-7 over their last 8 games dating back to last year.
4. Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts are the “Forrest Gump” team because you never know what you’re going to get. They looked formidable in their opener against Houston but ultimately came up short against a stacked Texans squad. Week 2 seemed like an easier matchup against a Packers team starting Malik Willis. Instead, the Colts couldn’t get out of their own way in a puzzling 16-10 loss. Anthony Richardson threw three interceptions and the defense surrendered 261 rushing yards on 53 carries. Richardson has been boom-or-bust and will need to find more consistency. It was expected that their secondary would be the weakest part of their defense, but that group might not be tested over the next month — vs. CHI, vs. PIT, @ JAC, @ TEN.
5. Los Angeles Rams
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If we were doing this ranking based on the team’s chances of making the postseason, the Rams might rank even lower. Starting 0-2 in the NFC West is a dire position to be in. The 49ers are a lock for double-digit wins and the Seahawks are already 2-0. Plus, the Cardinals have looked good and just picked up a blowout win over the Rams. LA is dealing with injuries across the board. WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nauca are out plus the offensive line has already shuffled some parts around. If their poor play continues, don’t be surprised if Matthew Stafford’s name starts popping up in trade conversations.
6. Tennessee Titans
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The positives: Tennessee’s defense has played well and free agent signings Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard have shined. The negatives: Will Levis remains one of the most erratic QBs in the league and is majorly responsible for the 0-2 start. Levis essentially gave the game away in Week 1 versus the Bears — a game in which Chicago’s offense accounted for zero touchdowns. In Week 2, Levis made a couple of stunning throws (including a touchdown to Ridley) but had two turnovers and held onto the ball for far too long. Tennessee is feisty but closing out games will always be an issue until Levis starts avoiding massive mistakes.
7. Denver Broncos
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Through two weeks, Denver’s leading rusher is rookie QB Bo Nix. He has 60 yards on nine carries. That about sums up Denver’s start to the season. The offense doesn’t make anything look easy, and that might all fall on HC Sean Payton. Payton led some of the best offenses the league has ever seen when he was in New Orleans. Of course, he had Drew Brees helping out. But, that success was more than just Brees. It could be that Payton’s scheme is simply phasing out of the NFL. The Saints ran a similar offense last year under Payton’s former OC Pete Carmichael and struggled mightily. In ’24, the Saints are off to a hot start with the same roster utilizing a more modern approach under new OC Klint Kubiak. Can Payton adapt? Or are the Broncos headed toward another losing season?
8. New York Giants
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2022 feels like ages ago. The Giants were riding high after a playoff win and inked QB Daniel Jones to a massive extension. Now, Giants fans are daydreaming about their next starting quarterback. Jones was horrible in the opener as New York got blasted by the Minnesota Vikings 28-6. He was a bit better in Week 2 but was unable to carry his team to a win over a Washington Commanders team that scored zero touchdowns. Rookie Malik Nabers has looked excellent, and RB Devin Singletary might fetch the team a draft pick before the trade deadline. Otherwise, the Giants should be looking forward to the 2025 NFL Draft.
9. Carolina Panthers
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There is no team in a worse position than the Carolina Panthers. They traded multiple picks plus a Pro Bowl WR for Bryce Young. Young is now the backup for a 36-year-old Andy Dalton. HC Dave Canales was brought in from Tampa Bay to help fix the offense, and he’d already seen enough of Young after just two games. The roster is lacking at all spots, and the best player on the team — DT Derrick Brown — is out for the year. With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select…
