After Week 2, the cold, hard truth is staring every 0-2 team in the NFL right in the face: from 2020 to 2025, only a measly 16% of teams that started that deep in the hole actually made the playoffs. You hear the coaches, right? John Harbaugh of the Chargers is saying he’s “not deterred,” and Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta is talking about “great resolve.” What else are they gonna say? But beneath those brave faces, major, major concerns are absolutely bubbling, and for some teams, it’s getting late, early.
The Dolphins Are 0-2, And That’s Actually The Point
Let’s talk about the Miami Dolphins first, because their 0-2 record comes with a bizarre twist: it was totally expected. Their “panic meter” sits at a tiny 1 out of 10, and honestly, who’s surprised? This season was always gonna be rough, a full-on demolition and rebuild. Think about this: eight of their nine biggest cap hits this year are from players not even on the team anymore! We knew they’d have the least talented roster in the league, probably among its worst. So far? They’re nailing it. They’re dead last, 32nd, in offensive success rate and a dismal 27th defensively. It’s ugly, sure, hard to watch even, but this is what they signed up for. The silver lining? Their 13-player draft class is showing flashes. Caleb Douglas lit it up with 94 receiving yards in his NFL debut. Jacob Rodriguez is leading the team in tackles, with Michael Taaffe right behind him. First-round corner Chris Johnson already has a pair of pass breakups. Yeah, the losses are gonna pile up, but for Miami, the focus is on a long, slow build. “Panic” isn’t even in their vocabulary right now.
Atlanta’s Talent Is Wasting Away, And Penix Jr. Gets Another Shot
Then there’s the Atlanta Falcons, also sitting at 0-2, and also somehow at a 1/10 on the panic meter, but for a totally different reason. Like Miami, they’re under a new head coach, but unlike Miami, they actually have a decent chunk of talent on that roster. The kicker? It’s just getting wasted all over again. Quarterback woes have absolutely crippled them. Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. were both out for the first two weeks, leaving Cooper Rush to look, well, “unplayable.” He capped everything on offense, completely stalled them out. But here’s the big news for them: Michael Penix Jr. is set to start this Thursday. It’s yet another chance for him to finally prove he can be the answer as the starter, even though his returns so far have been, let’s just say, “uninspiring.” Atlanta needs Penix to step up, and fast, because that talent can only be ignored for so long before real panic sets in.
For the Falcons, all eyes are on Penix Jr. this Thursday. Can he turn those “uninspiring” returns around and ignite an offense that’s been sputtering? For the Dolphins, it’s all about watching those rookies grow through the pain. These 0-2 starts sting, but for these two teams, the reasons behind them are wild, and their paths forward couldn’t be more different.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply