Written by: Tyler Deakin
Hope springs eternal for most, but not for these few NFL teams being discussed here. The Vikings, Giants, Jaguars, Colts, Jets, Falcons, & Lions have started their seasons with 0-2 records. An 0-2 start is seen as a death sentence in the NFL, as only 12% of 0-2 teams made the playoffs from 1990-2019. We’ll see if a 17-game schedule changes these statistics, and anything is possible in the parity-driven NFL. That being said, it’s hard to imagine any of these teams miraculously turning their seasons around in short order. I hope these teams prove me wrong.
On the Hot Seat (Vikings, Giants, Jaguars)
Mike Zimmer, head coach of the Vikings, is the longest-tenured active head coach (8 seasons) to never win a Super Bowl. His teams are consistently good but not great, and they’re handicapped by QB Kirk Cousins limitations. Could Vikings management decide to clean house after an underwhelming 2021 campaign? Meanwhile, there have been whispers that Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer could be one and done in Jacksonville after this year. He might begin showing interest in the USC head coaching position in the near future. Finally, this was supposed to be a make-or-break season for the Giants with owner John Mara recently commenting, “I’m tired of the losing… it’s time for us to start winning some more.” Another season of consistent mediocrity could spell trouble for the executives & staff of the New York Giants organization.
Better Luck Next Year (Colts, Jets)
The Colts have seemed snakebit since before the season began, with key players QB Carson Wentz, OL Quenton Nelson, & WR TY Hilton suffering injuries during training camp. Fast forward to this week, and Wentz is once again injured heading into a make-or-break game against the division rival Titans. I just don’t see much hope in them turning their season around. Unfortunately, the Jets are in a similar position in that they are starting to show signs of progress, but it might not be enough to get them over the hump. QB Zach Wilson has shown flashes, but needs to exhibit consistency & avoid turnovers in order to take the next step in his development. What would help him tremendously is the Jets crafting a solid offensive line & running game.
Rebuild Imminent (Falcons, Lions)
You could say that these teams are already rebuilding & I would tend to agree with you. The problem is that neither coach will ever admit that, with Lions head coach Dan Campbell saying in his introductory press conference that, “we’re going to bite a kneecap off.” That sounds all fine & dandy, but the reality is that these are two of the worst rosters in the league & will require multiple solid drafts that produce quality players in order for these teams to be successful. Drafting a franchise quarterback will also be a priority for these teams, with Matt Ryan beginning to show his age for the Falcons & Jared Goff clearly not the answer in Detroit. Both teams have similar problems: an inability to rush the passer, inefficiency in the run game, and issues in pass coverage. These problems won’t be solved overnight, so it’s probably going to be a long year for Falcons & Lions fans. We’ll see these two teams face off in Week 16 this year.
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