Sixteen NFL Teams Faced Early Season Pressure
Half of the league opened with a loss, raising the stakes for teams attempting to avoid a winless 0-2 start.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
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Sixteen NFL teams entered the second week of the season with 0-1 records after failing to outscore their opponents in their openers. These organizations are now attempting to avoid an 0-2 start to improve their playoff chances.
Why it matters
Starting the season 0-2 historically makes reaching the postseason significantly more difficult for franchises. Teams are highly motivated to secure a victory this weekend to avoid falling into a statistical hole that few clubs overcome.
Since the NFL expanded its playoff format to 14 teams in 2020, 16% of teams that began the season 0-2 reached the postseason. This represents an increase compared to the 11% success rate observed for 0-2 teams since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The players
Myles Garrett
The player is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a left knee injury that will force him to miss at least four games.
Aaron Donald
The veteran player has un-retired to rejoin the Rams roster.
Justin Herbert
The quarterback has been sacked 228 times since 2020.
A.J. Brown
The receiver is set to miss at least four games due to an injury.
The details
Several teams face critical upcoming games, including the Cowboys playing the Commanders and the Patriots facing the Steelers. Meanwhile, the Rams look to rebound after recording only 190 total yards in their opener, and the Packers must address a six-game losing streak following a 17-point loss to the Vikings.
Timeline
1970 marked the occurrence of the AFL-NFL merger.
2020 saw the NFL playoff format expand to 14 teams.
Last week teams played their season opening games.
Sunday the Cowboys play the Commanders and the Patriots play the Steelers.
Monday the Rams face the Giants.
Season Trajectory
The current parity across the league is heavily influenced by the 2020 expansion of the NFL playoff format to 14 teams, which provides a wider path to the postseason. This shift alters the competitive balance for the sixteen winless teams, as the math for recovery has become more favorable than in the era following the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Fantasy managers should monitor the status of injured stars like Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown, as both players are confirmed to miss at least four games. Additionally, the outcome of the Cowboys-Commanders game will definitively drop one division rival into a deeper hole in the standings.
The takeaway
Teams struggling to start the season must prioritize immediate consistency to capitalize on the expanded playoff field. The statistical history shows that while an 0-2 start is difficult, the current 14-team format offers a slightly higher survival rate than previous decades.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of league standings, visit the Football section.
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Is it reasonable for fans to panic after their favorite NFL team loses its first game?
