Only 12% of teams to begin 0-2 since 2002 have made the playoffs, according to USA Today. Only three teams in NFL history won the Super Bowl after starting 0-2: the 1993 Cowboys, 2001 Patriots and 2007 Giants. The 1996 Patriots also went to the Super Bowl after starting 0-2.
The '93 Cowboys won it all after Emmitt Smith (that year's league and Super Bowl MVP) returned from a two-game absence amid a contract issue. The '01 Patriots started the franchise's two-decade-long dynasty after Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe. The '07 Giants made history by denying the Patriots the chance to become the NFL's first 19-0 team.
Will any of this year's 0-2 teams follow suit? Below is a ranking of the winless teams entering Week 3 from least to most likely to reach the postseason. Let's be honest, the odds of Miami making the playoffs this season are as likely as in their 2019 "Tank for Tua" campaign.
If there is a sliver of hope, it's the fact that six of the Dolphins' next seven games are against teams that did not make the playoffs in 2025. For Miami, this season is about building the foundation under new coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. When looking at the rest of their schedule, the Dolphins have potential winnable games against the Jets, Lions (who gave up 71 points in their first two games) and the Chargers.
It's possible that the Dolphins could give the Vikings a scare in Week 4 if Kyler Murray struggles in his initial games back as Minnesota's starting quarterback. While it was a loss, Sunday's game against the Eagles is evidence that the Titans are starting to turn a corner under Robert Saleh. Tennessee matched the Eagles score for score and took the lead with under two minutes left before Jalen Hurts delivered the game-winning touchdown pass with 14 seconds left.
Following an underwhelming loss to the Jets in Week 1, the Titans were a vastly improved team in Week 2. Cam Ward had an efficient game and was complemented by a running game that tallied 122 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Defensively, the Titans recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers that included a 92-yard interception return by Amani Hooker that set the first of Ward's two short touchdown runs.
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