Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs through the second half towards the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photographs 9 NFL groups personal the dreaded 0-2 file as Week 3 of the season arrives.
Gamers and coaches of these groups will inform you it means nothing, that we’re simply two video games into the season.
However everyone knows higher.
The 0-2 mark has been the barometer of mediocre or unhealthy groups over the previous 4 seasons. Solely two squads out of 32 have managed to make the playoffs after consecutive losses to open the season, a paltry 6.3 p.c.
However not all 0-2 groups are equally unhealthy. For instance, the Baltimore Ravens are nowhere close to as horrible because the directionless Carolina Panthers.
Additionally, the staff (Cincinnati Bengals) with Joe Burrow as its quarterback is more likely to have a powerful turnaround than a membership (Denver Broncos) feeding rookie Bo Nix to the wolves every week.
We’ll check out the groups that also have loads of life left. (And shortly contact on the groups that do not).
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens go to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, a difficult opponent that makes an 0-3 begin an actual chance. Baltimore has began 0-3 simply as soon as, again in 2015 when it completed 5-11 and had 4 quarterbacks begin a number of video games.
However this can be a staff with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson working the present. The Ravens lead the NFL in whole offense (417.5 yards per recreation), however errors and failed alternatives have them in a tie for 14th in scoring offense at 21.5 factors per recreation.
As soon as Baltimore cleans issues up and figures out how to not blow 10-point fourth quarter leads (see final Sunday towards the Las Vegas Raiders), issues will enhance quick. Search for Baltimore to be battling for the AFC North crown down the stretch.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Injured Cincinnati Bengals vast receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) walks to the locker room at halftime of the NFL 16 recreation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. The Steelers led 24-0 at halftime. credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK The Bengals are additionally within the AFC North and will shortly get to .500 with the Washington Commanders at residence and the woeful Panthers on the highway as their subsequent two video games. Cincinnati’s 0-2 consists of a tough loss (to the New England Patriots) and a close to upset (shedding to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on a last-second area objective).
The Bengals are extra just like the staff that battled Kansas Metropolis and have robust management from coach Zac Taylor and Burrow. How Cincinnati fares in division video games shall be key to any turnaround. Final season, they went 1-5 towards the AFC North and missed the postseason.
It actually helps the Bengals’ probabilities that one other division staff can be 0-2. However Cincinnati cannot afford many dreadful losses just like the New England contest.
LOS ANGELES RAMS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams vast receiver Cooper Kupp (10) previous to a recreation towards the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Photographs These groups aren’t displaying a number of life proper now however have the potential to show issues round. The Rams face a must-win this week with the highly effective San Francisco 49ers coming to city. The Jaguars are additionally in a tricky spot with highway video games towards the Buffalo Payments (on Monday) and Houston Texans subsequent on the slate.
The Rams badly miss future Corridor of Famer Aaron Donald on protection, and standout receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are each out with leg accidents. So Matthew Stafford has to assist his membership get by the short-team challenges, however then again, it is positively onerous to erase final Sunday’s horrific 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals out of the reminiscence.
Jacksonville determined at hand out a five-year, $275 million contract to Trevor Lawrence, and I can not seem to discover his Tremendous Bowl appearances. Oh, I see, he is simply getting paid like he has some. The Jaguars have scored simply 30 factors in two video games. One of the best factor they’ve going is residing within the AFC South, the place three of the 4 groups are 0-2.
NO-CHANCE GROUP
Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger (9) throws towards the Los Angeles Chargers through the second half at Financial institution of America Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photographs The headliners are the Carolina Panthers, who went 2-15 final season. Their terrible 2023 commerce with the Chicago Bears to earn the best to draft Bryce Younger in some way appears to be like even worse after the latter’s benching.
The Indianapolis Colts (Anthony Richardson) and the Broncos (Nix) could make growing their younger quarterbacks the principle precedence. The Tennessee Titans appear to have misplaced their id within the post-Derrick Henry period, whereas good luck to the New York Giants, who proceed to withstand pulling the plug on Daniel Jones.