Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs through the second half in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Pictures Because the third week of the season approaches, 9 NFL groups sit with an abysmal 0-2 document.
Gamers and coaches on these groups will let you know it means nothing and we’re solely two video games into the season.
However everyone knows higher.
Over the previous 4 seasons, an 0-2 document has been a barometer of mediocre or poor efficiency. Solely two of the 32 groups managed to make the playoffs after a shedding streak initially, a paltry 6.3%.
However not all 0-2 groups are equally unhealthy. For instance, the Baltimore Ravens are nowhere close to as scary because the directionless Carolina Panthers.
Moreover, a group with Joe Burrow at quarterback (Cincinnati Bengals) is extra prone to have a robust turnaround than a membership that feeds rookie Bo Nix to the Wolves each week (Denver Broncos) .
We’ll check out the groups that also have loads of life left in them. (And shortly attain out to groups that don’t).
baltimore ravens
The Ravens journey to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, a difficult opponent with a superb probability of getting off to an 0-3 begin. Baltimore has began 0-3 solely as soon as, again in 2015 when the group completed 5-11 and had 4 quarterbacks begin in a number of video games.
However the head coach of this group is two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens lead the NFL in complete offense (417.5 yards per sport), however turnovers and missed alternatives have them tied for 14th in scoring offense at 21.5 factors per sport.
As soon as Baltimore cleans up its act and figures out how you can not blow a 10-point fourth-quarter lead (see final Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders ), issues will enhance shortly. Search for Baltimore to compete for the AFC North crown within the upcoming video games.
cincinnati tigers
Injured Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1 ) to the locker room. Photograph credit score: Sam Greene/The Inquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK The Bengals are additionally within the AFC North, and with their subsequent two video games at dwelling in opposition to the Washington Commanders and on the street in opposition to the abysmal Panthers, their profitable share might quickly attain .500. Cincinnati’s 0-2 run included a blowout (misplaced to the New England Patriots) and a close to upset (misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on a last-second subject purpose).
The Bengals look extra just like the group they had been in opposition to Kansas Metropolis and have sturdy management from coach Zac Taylor and Burrow. Cincinnati’s efficiency within the divisional spherical would be the key to any turnaround. Final season, they misplaced 1-5 within the AFC North and missed the playoffs.
One other division group can also be 0-2, which definitely helps the Bengals’ probabilities. However Cincinnati cannot afford a loss as horrific because the New England sport.
Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars
September 15, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams broad receiver Cooper Kupp (10) earlier than the sport in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Pictures These groups aren’t exhibiting a lot vitality proper now however have the potential to show issues round. The Rams face a must-win sport this week in opposition to the mighty San Francisco 49ers. The Jaguars are additionally in bother and have street video games in opposition to the Buffalo Payments and Houston Texans on Monday.
The Rams severely missed future Corridor of Famer Aaron Donald on protection, whereas standout receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nakua had been each sidelined with leg accidents. So, Matthew Stafford has to assist his membership get via a short-term group problem, however alternatively, final Sunday’s horrific 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals will certainly be laborious to erase from the reminiscence.
Jacksonville determined to supply Trevor Lawrence a five-year, $275 million contract, however I can not seem to discover his Tremendous Bowl efficiency. Oh, I get it, he simply acquired paid one thing. The Jaguars have scored simply 30 factors in two video games. The most effective factor about them resides within the AFC South, the place three of the 4 groups are 0-2.
No probability group
September 15, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger (9) throws the ball through the second half in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium . Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures The headliners are the Carolina Panthers, who went 2-15 final season. They made a horrible commerce with the Chicago Bears in 2023 to win the rights to draft Bryce Younger, and one way or the other seemed even worse after the latter was benched.
The Indianapolis Colts (Anthony Richardson) and Broncos (Knicks) could make growing younger quarterbacks a precedence. The Tennessee Titans seem to have misplaced their identification within the post-Derrick Henry period, and good luck to them from the New York Giants as they proceed to refuse to surrender on Daniel Jones.
