Starting 0-2 in an NFL season is not a good sign for teams that have hopes of making the playoffs.
Teams that have started 0-2 have about a 12% chance to make the playoffs.
That is why this week is a huge one for a lot of NFL teams.
It is possible to recover from an 0-2 start based on their strength of schedule.
But, the odds are certainly against any team that puts itself in that situation.
Here are three teams that must avoid the dreaded 0-2 start.
Denver Broncos
The expectations of a great season and Russell Wilson‘s debut seemed to be weighing on the Broncos during their Week 1 loss.
Not only did they lose to a rebuilding team in the Seahawks, but their new-look offense struggled to put up points.
The entire Denver offense seemed out of sync in Week 1.
Wilson threw for 340 yards in the game but Denver only scored one touchdown.
Two fumbles inside the five yard-line were the main reason for the loss.
Javonte Williams fumbles at the goal line!
It's the second fumble in the second half for the Broncos 🤯pic.twitter.com/pEEZFJR50P
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 13, 2022
Denver was sloppy in the game and they need to be much better in Week 2.
The Broncos have their home-opener against the Houston Texans today and it is a must-win.
Playing in the AFC West, Denver can not fall two games behind the Chiefs this early in the season.
The Broncos need to get running back Javonte Williams more involved in the run game.
He only had seven carries in Week 1 despite averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Expect Denver to have success in all facets of the game against Houston.
This is a get-right game and the Broncos can not blow the opportunity.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals suffered a bad loss at home in Week 1 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joe Burrow looked terrible as he threw four interceptions in the game.
Burrow interception number 4? 🥴
🎥: NFL
pic.twitter.com/j2yZYlLSb8— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) September 11, 2022
Also, the Bengals’ special teams were bad as they missed the game-winning extra point in regulation and game-winning field goal in overtime.
The defense held the Steelers to three points in the second half and overtime and they still lost.
Burrow was sacked seven times in the game and could be in trouble in Week 2 if they do not get it fixed.
The Bengals face the depleted Dallas Cowboys today and are big favorites due to Dak Prescott being injured.
Cincinnati can not afford to lose this game.
Falling to 0-2 in the AFC North would be a major issue for the reigning AFC champions.
The Ravens look good this year and they already lost to the Steelers.
The Bengals could be in serious trouble if they can not beat the Cowboys.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona signed Kyler Murray to a brand new contract before the season.
They did that with hopes of Murray leading them to the playoffs and having success in the postseason.
But, things got off to a rocky start for the Cardinals in Week 1.
They got trounced by the Chiefs 44-21 and need a bounce-back game today.
The Cardinals were bad in all facets of the game.
Their pass defense got shredded and the Murray-led offense was dysfunctional.
Now the Cardinals head to Las Vegas to play a Raiders team also desperate for a win.
Falling to 0-2 in the NFC West would be problematic for the Cardinals.
Especially because they have yet to face the Rams or 49ers who both have better rosters in the same division.
This is a must-win game for the Cardinals and it will be interesting to see how they respond.
