Due to the result of the tie from the Colts-Texans match, they are 14 teams with a record of 0-1. 8 of those teams were in the postseason last year. Since 2019, 27 teams started the season of 0-2, none of those teams made the playoffs, the last team to win the Super Bowl following an 0-2 record were the 2007 Giants so winning this weekend could be desperate for these squads. Based off preseason hype, there are five teams the will be desperate for a win this weekend
5. San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers look bad on offense last week. Really bad. Trey Lance had the ball in his hands way too long, the offensive line did a horrible job, and the injury attacked the backfield again with Elijah Mitchell being sidelined. Lance went 13 for 28 for 164 yards and a pick. That’s not going to get it done versus anyone as that was the case in week 1. The 9ers have been well documented in handing the keys over to the second year starter. Jimmy G is still in the QB room and has a restructured deal. We could hear fans get anxious to see a chance of the aforementioned real soon if Lance doesn’t perform. Could the seat get warm for Kyle Shanahan if this doesn’t turn around? The facts are that under Shanahan, San Fran has 8 wins since 2017 from QBs not named Jimmy Garoppolo. They have to figure it out fast against Seattle, only team to win in the NFC West last week
4. Tennessee Titans. All-Pro RB Derrick Henry missed the final 9 weeks of the regular season last year and the Titans were the No.1 seed. Ryan Tannehill had his worst statistical season as a starter in Tennessee and the team was still the best in the conference. Falling to 0-2 could be detrimental to the hopes of being the No.1 for a second straight season in a loaded AFC. Concerns are on the offensive side of the ball. There’s no clear primary receiver for Tannehill based off the evidence on the field last Sunday. The Titans best football comes when they can control the pace of the game, once you take that away, this team is rather pedestrian. Reigning Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel has to find a way to win Monday night at Buffalo.
3. Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals had their “Cinderella” season come up short on a fourth down play in the Super Bowl this past February. Now in September that team that represented the AFC finds itself in a predicament. On tap Sunday is a date with the Dallas Cowboys, a team who will be without their starting quarterback for atleast a month. This has trap game written all over it. Jamar Chase was sharp in the opener (10 rec, 129 yds, TD). Burrow committed a handful of turnovers but kept his team in the game with a chance to win. This game cannot be sloppy for the defending AFC champs. With every other team in the win column in the north, the Bengals can ill afford to fall 2 games back in one of the toughest divisions in football.
2. Los Angeles Rams. The Super Bowl champs didn’t look sharp last week in the season kickoff. Hell, calling them dull would be an understatement. The Rams were bullied from the opening kickoff by a team many picked to be the favorites to dethrone them. The run game was non- existent and Matthew Stafford took a beating. If the Super Bowl hangover is an actual thing, then the L.A. Rams was your drunk Uncle at your wedding, grabbing the mic trying to toast to the newlyweds. Yes, they were that bad. Stafford has to understand there’s other receivers not named Cooper Kupp. Spread the ball around and mix it up. Shouldn’t be a problem with the Atlanta Falcons on deck. That team knows how to lose a football game.
1. Green Bay Packers. The biggest difference between the previous 4 teams on this list from the Pack? They all have identity, you know how to game plan against these teams. If that game plan is executed those teams can be beat as they were in their respective week 1 matchups. We have no idea what Matt LaFleur is trying to accomplish here. The receivers need to be on the same page as the quarterback, the running backs need more touches and defense needs to pay attention to details. Aaron Rodgers for the first time in a while, looked like a sitting duck in the pocket. And if the receiver on the opposite side is All-Pro, then guard him! Please! The Packers can make things right this week against the Bears, a team Rodgers has “owned” throughout his career. That needs to stay the same this weekend because the Minnesota Vikings are a real threat in the NFC North.
