My favorite part about Week 2 is the inevitable panic of a team with playoff aspirations starting 0-2 and hitting the panic button. Normally, I’d highlight some key matchups, and there are some good ones this week. However, I think we’re just gonna take a look at a couple of interesting 0-2 teams, and maybe even a surprise 2-0 squad:
0-2
Browns @ Jaguars – One of these teams is coming out of their Sunday bout as a loser, leaving them with an unsavory winless record. Considering all of the…off the field drama surrounding Cleveland, I’m liking the Jags here. Both of these teams came into the season feeling like potential playoff contenders, but in a stacked AFC, a slow start could put you on a fast track to Cabo.
Jets @ Titans – Speaking of the AFC, the Jets are also in danger of retaining their current last place spot in the East if they drop the ball against the Titans. Sure, the Titans will also be 0-2 if they lose, but…who cares? I’m calling it — it’s a must win for the Jets.
Rams @ Cardinals – We’ll switch over to the NFC briefly as this NFC West matchup also features a couple of Week 1 losers looking to get back on track. The Rams are more of a playoff-looking team than Arizona, who I consider to be a fringe team. The NFC may be a little more forgiving than the AFC so I don’t see an 0-2 start being as significant for these squads compared to the others on this list.
Colts @ Packers – As we transition back to the AFC, here’s a nice interconference matchup. If the Packers can pull off this win with Malik Willis at QB, then I think they’ll be fine. If they lose this one as part of a multi-game slide with no Jordan Love for 3-4 weeks, might as well kiss winning the North bye. The Colts need a victory in order to stay competitive not only in the South, but the AFC as a whole.
Bengals @ Chiefs – This is not a great spot to be in as the Bengals. They have gone in to Arrowhead and won before, but it’s usually not in September. The Bengals do not like September. 0-2 is, as we discussed, bad news in the AFC and especially in the always-competitive North.
Falcons @ Eagles – For as highly touted as this Falcons team seemed to be this offseason, an 0-2 start would be a nightmare. And it seems very likely that Atlanta will come out of the Pennsylvania Gauntlet seeing ghosts. If the Buccaneers and/or Saints win on Sunday, they’ll really be reeling.
Honorable Mention
Raiders @ Ravens – Of course, everything I’ve said about other AFC teams in this position is true for Baltimore as well. The main difference is, I can’t fathom a universe in which they lose this game. I don’t think the Raiders should mind starting 0-2, they should start jockeying for draft position right away.
2-Oh?
Niners @ Vikings – If the Vikings were to somehow win this game, we might as well go ahead and give Sam Darnold comeback player of the year. Expectations were already pretty low for Minnesota before JJ McCarthy went down in the preseason. A 2-0 start to the season that includes a victory over San Francisco would leave everyone shocked. Not that I think that will happen, but it would be undeniably insane.
Seahawks @ Patriots – I’m giving the Pats the nod here due to their defensive prowess. But we know that one of these teams will leave the weekend undefeated, which I certainly would not have guessed before last Sunday.
Saints @ Cowboys – The Saints would love to win this game, I’m just not sure they’re battle tested at all after playing the NFL’s JV squad last week. The Cowboys kinda expect to start 2-0, but the Saints really feel like a proper .500 squad.
Bears @ Texans – I will be pretty impressed if the Bears manage to win this game. A 2-0 start would be the first in 4 years for Chicago, a season in which they made the playoffs at 8-8 (wow, I miss the symmetry of the 16 game schedule).
And yeah, that’s it..I guess I should mention tonight’s game, Bills @ Dolphins. It should be a great game, except it’s Thursday and that means things will get sloppy. The Bills usually have Miami’s number, so I’ll be taking them.
See ya Tuesday for the results.
Strong Side Sports 