NFL panic meter: How concerned should these teams be after 0-2 starts?
Nine teams enter Week 3 searching for their first win of the 2024 NFL season and it’s crucial for their playoff hopes that they avoid a dreaded 0-3 start.
According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, only 32 of the 279 teams (11.5%) since 1990 that started 0-2 in the regular season reached the postseason. An 0-3 start could spell the end of the season for each of the league’s nine win-less teams, as just four of the 162 teams that lost three straight games to begin the regular season since 1990 made the playoffs.
Here’s a look at each 0-2 team, accompanied by a panic meter ranging from one to five — with one being the highest level of panic — as to how worried they should be about their disappointing starts.
Cincinnati Bengals
If any team is capable of climbing out of an 0-2 hole, it’s Cincinnati, which has posted a combined 1-9 record across Weeks 1 and 2 since drafting QB Joe Burrow in 2020.
The Bengals suffered a deflating season-opening loss at home to an inferior Patriots team but responded with a respectable showing against the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 2.
Fortunately for Cincinnati, things are looking up, with wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) set to return on Monday after missing the team’s first two contests. Additionally, the Bengals have an easy schedule for the next few weeks, providing optimism that they can start a winning streak. Over its next four games, Cincinnati will face the Commanders, Panthers, Ravens and Giants, who are a combined 1-7 to begin the season.
Carolina Panthers
It might be unfair to say the Panthers are in panic mode, considering they entered 2024 with almost no expectations after enduring a nightmare 2-15 season in 2023. Yet, somehow, the campaign has gotten off to a worse start than anyone could’ve imagined.
2024 was expected to be the season Carolina got QB Bryce Young’s career on track, but after being outscored 73-13 through its first two games, the team benched the 2023 No. 1 overall pick for veteran Andy Dalton.
There’s no question that Young regressed significantly after putting together a disastrous rookie season, completing just 55.4% of his passes for 245 yards and three interceptions in two games. If Dalton can’t provide the spark Carolina needs, though, the decision to bench Young after 18 career starts will only solidify the team as one of the worst-run franchises in North American professional sports.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts held their own against a formidable Houston Texans team in Week 1, losing the tightly contested matchup 29-27. Indianapolis’ performance — despite the loss — appeared to be a potential sign that it could compete with just about any team, but its Week 2 showing has since raised doubts.
Last week, the Colts dropped a winnable game on the road against the Packers, who started recently acquired backup Malik Willis at quarterback, losing by a 16-10 score. Colts QB Anthony Richardson struggled mightily, completing 17 of his 34 passes for 204 yards and three interceptions.
Although Indianapolis has the seventh-easiest remaining schedule among all NFL teams, according to Tankathon, it’s going to be difficult to turn things around if Richardson continues to be an inconsistent passer. Not to mention the Colts run defense has been the worst in the league through two weeks, having allowed an NFL-high 474 yards on the ground.
Los Angeles Rams
Despite going toe-to-toe with Detroit — a Super Bowl contender — during a Week 1 overtime loss, it’s possible that the Rams’ season is effectively over before it ever really got started.
Los Angeles’ roster has quickly been decimated by injuries, with WR Puka Nacua, O-linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III among the Rams who have already been placed on injured reserve. WR Cooper Kupp will also miss a few weeks with an ankle sprain. Without firepower on offense to compensate for the team’s ineffective defense, the Rams could see similar results to their 41-10 Week 2 loss to Arizona fairly often going forward.
