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. 

Panic meter: 4

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.

Panic meter: 1 

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. 

Panic meter: 2

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. 

Panic meter: 1

Tennessee Titans

After spending heavily to upgrade their roster on both sides of the ball this past offseason, the Titans have disappointed to begin 2024, thanks in large part to second-year QB Will Levis’ turnover problems. While the Titans will only go as far as Levis can take them — which is concerning until the Kentucky product proves otherwise — it could be argued that they are a better team than their record indicates.

According to CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani, Tennessee is the first team since the 1994 Cardinals to start 0-2 despite allowing the fewest total yards in the league. Arizona was unable to reach the postseason in 1994 after starting 0-3 to begin the season but managed to finish with an 8-8 record. If Tennessee can get on track against a potentially Jordan Love-less Packers team on Sunday, perhaps it can finish 2024 with a winning record. 

Panic meter: 3

Denver Broncos

Broncos HC Sean Payton placed the brunt of last season’s offensive struggles on former starting QB Russell Wilson, but his team has looked even worse to begin 2024.

Denver, which finished 19th in scoring last season, ranks 30th in points per game through two games (13) this fall. Rookie Bo Nix, a quarterback Payton handpicked in the draft to be the team’s starter, has had a difficult beginning to his career, having completed just 59.7% of his passes for 384 yards and a league-leading four interceptions.

With the fourth-most difficult remaining schedule, it’s hard to imagine Denver’s disastrous situation improving in the coming weeks. It’s unlikely that Payton will be fired if the Broncos have another disappointing season, given the lackluster roster he inherited. Still, he was brought in to fix the Broncos offense and if the unit doesn’t make strides under Nix, Payton will enter 2025 on a hot seat. 

Panic meter: 1

Jacksonville Jaguars

Self-inflicted wounds have largely contributed to Jacksonville’s 0-2 start. While they’ve only lost their two games by a combined eight points, the Jaguars continue to make the same mistakes that played a part in their late-season collapse in 2023.

In 2023, the Jaguars only scored touchdowns on half of their red zone drives, ranking 21st among teams, as ESPN’s Michael DiRocco has pointed out. So far, Jacksonville’s red zone woes have only escalated to begin the year, with the team scoring just three touchdowns in seven trips and notably fumbling a potential game-sealing score in Week 1. 

QB Trevor Lawrence and Co. must fix their red zone issues against a banged-up Bills defense on “Monday Night Football.” Should they fail to do so, the Jaguars could find themselves facing an 0-4 start, as they’re set to square off with the 2-0 Texans in Week 4. 

Panic meter: 2

New York Giants 

New York’s 0-2 start isn’t all that surprising, though the team’s on-field performance has been incredibly concerning. The Giants followed up a humiliating 28-6 home loss to Minnesota by becoming the first team in NFL history to lose in regulation despite scoring three touchdowns while allowing zero touchdowns during Week 2’s 21-18 loss to Washington.

A loss to the Browns, who haven’t looked particularly impressive to open the season, on Sunday would almost surely put Giants HC Brian Daboll’s job security in question. If New York ends up dropping its matchup against Cleveland, an 0-8 start isn’t out of the realm of possibility since it will face the Cowboys, Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles and Steelers from Weeks 4 through 8. 

Panic meter: 1

Baltimore Ravens

A surprise 0-2 team, Baltimore is already in must-win mode.

The Ravens nearly knocked off the Chiefs in their season opener and while the loss wasn’t necessarily unexpected, last week’s surely was. In Week 2, Baltimore squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the Raiders at home, ultimately losing 26-23.

Baltimore experienced quite a bit of personnel turnover this past offseason and has been feeling the effects, particularly on the offensive line, which features three new starters. Although the O-line fared better in Week 2 than it did in Week 1, the unit still struggled in critical spots.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh hinted on Friday that changes to the offensive line could be coming for Sunday’s road clash with Dallas. Even though it still boasts one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, Baltimore desperately needs its adjustments to pan out to prevent the season from completely unraveling. If the Ravens can’t knock off the Cowboys, it wouldn’t be shocking if they continued to spiral, considering they’ll face Buffalo and Cincinnati in Weeks 4 and 5. 

Panic meter: 2