9 groups enter Week 3 looking for their first win of the 2024 NFL season and it is essential for his or her playoff hopes that they keep away from a dreaded 0-3 begin.
In line with Kevin Patra of NFL.com, solely 32 of the 279 groups (11.5%) since 1990 that began 0-2 within the common season reached the postseason. An 0-3 begin may spell the tip of the season for every of the league’s 9 win-less groups, as simply 4 of the 162 groups that misplaced three straight video games to start the common season since 1990 made the playoffs.
Here is a take a look at every 0-2 group, accompanied by a panic meter starting from one to 5 — with one being the best degree of panic — as to how anxious they need to be about their disappointing begins.
Cincinnati Bengals
If any group is able to climbing out of an 0-2 gap, it is Cincinnati, which has posted a mixed 1-9 report throughout Weeks 1 and a pair of since drafting QB Joe Burrow in 2020.
The Bengals suffered a deflating season-opening loss at residence to an inferior Patriots group however responded with a good exhibiting in opposition to the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 2.
Luckily for Cincinnati, issues are trying up, with wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) set to return on Monday after lacking the group’s first two contests. Moreover, the Bengals have a simple schedule for the subsequent few weeks, offering optimism that they will begin a successful streak. Over its subsequent 4 video games, Cincinnati will face the Commanders, Panthers, Ravens and Giants, who’re a mixed 1-7 to start the season.
Panic meter: 4
Carolina Panthers
It is perhaps unfair to say the Panthers are in panic mode, contemplating they entered 2024 with virtually no expectations after enduring a nightmare 2-15 season in 2023. But, by some means, the marketing campaign has gotten off to a worse begin than anybody may’ve imagined.
2024 was anticipated to be the season Carolina bought QB Bryce Younger’s profession on observe, however after being outscored 73-13 by means of its first two video games, the group benched the 2023 No. 1 general decide for veteran Andy Dalton.
There is no query that Younger regressed considerably after placing collectively a disastrous rookie season, finishing simply 55.4% of his passes for 245 yards and three interceptions in two video games. If Dalton cannot present the spark Carolina wants, although, the choice to bench Younger after 18 profession begins will solely solidify the group as one of many worst-run franchises in North American skilled sports activities.
Panic meter: 1
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts held their very own in opposition to a formidable Houston Texans group in Week 1, shedding the tightly contested matchup 29-27. Indianapolis’ efficiency — regardless of the loss — seemed to be a possible signal that it may compete with nearly any group, however its Week 2 exhibiting has since raised doubts.
Final week, the Colts dropped a winnable recreation on the street in opposition to the Packers, who began just lately acquired backup Malik Willis at quarterback, shedding by a 16-10 rating. Colts QB Anthony Richardson struggled mightily, finishing 17 of his 34 passes for 204 yards and three interceptions.
Though Indianapolis has the seventh-easiest remaining schedule amongst all NFL groups, in response to Tankathon, it should be tough to show issues round if Richardson continues to be an inconsistent passer. To not point out the Colts run protection has been the worst within the league by means of two weeks, having allowed an NFL-high 474 yards on the bottom.
Panic meter: 2
Los Angeles Rams
Regardless of going toe-to-toe with Detroit — a Tremendous Bowl contender — throughout a Week 1 time beyond regulation loss, it is potential that the Rams’ season is successfully over earlier than it ever actually bought began.
Los Angeles’ roster has rapidly been decimated by accidents, with WR Puka Nacua, O-linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson and security John Johnson III among the many Rams who’ve already been positioned on injured reserve. WR Cooper Kupp can even miss just a few weeks with an ankle sprain. With out firepower on offense to compensate for the group’s ineffective protection, the Rams may see related outcomes to their 41-10 Week 2 loss to Arizona pretty usually going ahead.
Panic meter: 1
Tennessee Titans
After spending closely to improve their roster on either side of the ball this previous offseason, the Titans have upset to start 2024, thanks largely to second-year QB Will Levis’ turnover issues. Whereas the Titans will solely go so far as Levis can take them — which is regarding till the Kentucky product proves in any other case — it could possibly be argued that they’re a greater group than their report signifies.
In line with CBS Sports activities’ Jordan Dajani, Tennessee is the primary group for the reason that 1994 Cardinals to begin 0-2 regardless of permitting the fewest whole yards within the league. Arizona was unable to achieve the postseason in 1994 after beginning 0-3 to start the season however managed to complete with an 8-8 report. If Tennessee can get on observe in opposition to a doubtlessly Jordan Love-less Packers group on Sunday, maybe it may well end 2024 with a successful report.
Panic meter: 3
Denver Broncos
Broncos HC Sean Payton positioned the brunt of final season’s offensive struggles on former beginning QB Russell Wilson, however his group has seemed even worse to start 2024.
Denver, which completed nineteenth in scoring final season, ranks thirtieth in factors per recreation by means of two video games (13) this fall. Rookie Bo Nix, a quarterback Payton handpicked within the draft to be the group’s starter, has had a tough starting to his profession, having accomplished simply 59.7% of his passes for 384 yards and a league-leading 4 interceptions.
With the fourth-most tough remaining schedule, it is onerous to think about Denver’s disastrous scenario enhancing within the coming weeks. It is unlikely that Payton will probably be fired if the Broncos have one other disappointing season, given the lackluster roster he inherited. Nonetheless, he was introduced in to repair the Broncos offense and if the unit would not make strides beneath Nix, Payton will enter 2025 on a scorching seat.
Panic meter: 1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Self-inflicted wounds have largely contributed to Jacksonville’s 0-2 begin. Whereas they’ve solely misplaced their two video games by a mixed eight factors, the Jaguars proceed to make the identical errors that performed a component of their late-season collapse in 2023.
In 2023, the Jaguars solely scored touchdowns on half of their purple zone drives, rating twenty first amongst groups, as ESPN’s Michael DiRocco has identified. Up to now, Jacksonville’s purple zone woes have solely escalated to start the 12 months, with the group scoring simply three touchdowns in seven journeys and notably fumbling a possible game-sealing rating in Week 1.
QB Trevor Lawrence and Co. should repair their purple zone points in opposition to a banged-up Payments protection on “Monday Night time Soccer.” Ought to they fail to take action, the Jaguars may discover themselves going through an 0-4 begin, as they’re set to sq. off with the 2-0 Texans in Week 4.
Panic meter: 2
New York Giants
New York’s 0-2 begin is not all that shocking, although the group’s on-field efficiency has been extremely regarding. The Giants adopted up a humiliating 28-6 residence loss to Minnesota by turning into the primary group in NFL historical past to lose in regulation regardless of scoring three touchdowns whereas permitting zero touchdowns throughout Week 2’s 21-18 loss to Washington.
A loss to the Browns, who have not seemed significantly spectacular to open the season, on Sunday would virtually certainly put Giants HC Brian Daboll’s job safety in query. If New York finally ends up dropping its matchup in opposition to Cleveland, an 0-8 begin is not out of the realm of chance since it’s going to face the Cowboys, Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles and Steelers from Weeks 4 by means of 8.
Panic meter: 1
Baltimore Ravens
A shock 0-2 group, Baltimore is already in must-win mode.
The Ravens practically knocked off the Chiefs of their season opener and whereas the loss wasn’t essentially sudden, final week’s certainly was. In Week 2, Baltimore squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter result in the Raiders at residence, finally shedding 26-23.
Baltimore skilled fairly a little bit of personnel turnover this previous offseason and has been feeling the consequences, significantly on the offensive line, which options three new starters. Though the O-line fared higher in Week 2 than it did in Week 1, the unit nonetheless struggled in vital spots.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh hinted on Friday that modifications to the offensive line could possibly be coming for Sunday’s street conflict with Dallas. Regardless that it nonetheless boasts some of the gifted rosters within the NFL, Baltimore desperately wants its changes to pan out to stop the season from utterly unraveling. If the Ravens cannot knock off the Cowboys, it would not be stunning in the event that they continued to spiral, contemplating they’re going to face Buffalo and Cincinnati in Weeks 4 and 5.
Panic meter: 2
