Several teams already find themselves at a crossroads after just two weeks in the 2024 NFL season. Embarrassing losses and sluggish starts have set back teams thought to be playoff contenders. Only four teams since 1990 have made the NFL playoffs after starting 0-3. What teams need a win now more than anything?
Baltimore Ravens (Week 3 matchup: @ Dallas at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)
A toe and a backward lateral are all that separate Baltimore from a 2-0 record. Instead, the Ravens lost back-to-back games against AFC West opponents and are 0-2 for the first time since 2015. The rest of September doesn’t get easier. The Ravens’ next two opponents are Dallas and Buffalo. Their opponents in October: Cincinnati on the road, Washington, Tampa Bay on the road, and Cleveland on the road.
Dallas also lost its home opener last week but did so in historic fashion. Since 2021, Dallas is 12-2 in the regular season after a loss. In that same time frame, Dak Prescott threw for 288.6 yards per game in games following a loss. This afternoon game has a lot on the line for Baltimore.
Should Baltimore beat Dallas, it will drop the Cowboys to 1-2 for the first time since 2020. This would not necessarily spell the end for Dallas, as they won the NFC East in 2018 after starting 1-2 with a healthy Dak Prescott. Baltimore must bring its best in Arlington. Otherwise, it will have to do everything in its power to join an exclusive club.
Cincinnati Bengals (Week 3 matchup: vs. Washington at 8:15 p.m. Monday)
Cincinnati has notoriously struggled at the start of the year since Joe Burrow was drafted. The Bengals are 1-9 in the Burrow era during the first two weeks of the season. The silver lining is that Cincinnati is undefeated in Week 3 in the Burrow era (albeit one game ending in a tie).
The Bengals face a Washington Commanders team that has allowed 55 points in its first two games. Tee Higgins looks to return from injury to help lift Cincinnati to 1-2. How will Ja’Marr Chase factor in now that it’s likely he will play the season out without the extension he wanted?
Cincinnati has a four-week stretch starting this week in which they play Washington, Carolina, Baltimore, and the New York Giants. The four teams have a combined record of 1-7. This is an opportunity the Bengals will have to take advantage of.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 3 matchup: @ Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. Monday)
Jacksonville is 1-7 in games since the start of December last year. At 0-2 to start the season, the Jaguars already face an uphill battle. The Jaguars have only gone to the playoffs eight times in franchise history and none of those years included an 0-2 start.
The Jaguars have lost their two games by a combined eight points and the problem has lied in the offense. After scoring 17 points in the first half against Miami, Jacksonville has scored one touchdown since. The team was only able to muster three points combined in the second half against Miami and the first half against Cleveland.
Jacksonville’s next month will determine what type of team Doug Pederson is running. If it can pick up at least two wins from a three-game stretch against Buffalo, Houston, and Indianapolis, Jacksonville may be back. The Jaguars also get to play the Bears and Patriots back-to-back, meaning the time to win is now.
Philadelphia Eagles (Week 3 matchup: @ New Orleans at 1 p.m. Sunday)
Saquon Barkley dropping a sure first down conversion to ice the game may turn out to have a ripple effect. Philadelphia is just one of eight teams in the league to allow over 50 points over the first two games. The defense is once again proving to be Philadelphia’s downfall.
The Eagles take on a white-hot New Orleans Saints team. Klint Kubiak’s offense just smoked a very respectable Dallas Cowboys team for 35 first-half points and four touchdowns from Alvin Kamara. Which team will emerge out of this game as the contender, and who will be exposed as the pretender?
Either way, Philadelphia will not have it easy afterward. They have a playoff grudge match with Tampa Bay the week after, then get the earliest bye week in the league. The Eagles have not missed the playoffs under Nick Sirianni, but the only time they started 1-2 under his watch resulted in a 9-8 season and a quick out to Tampa Bay.
Los Angeles Rams (Week 3 matchup: vs. San Francisco at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)
The odds are stacked against Los Angeles this year. Both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are injured. This is the first time since 2011 the Rams have started 0-2. Last week was the second biggest loss to the Cardinals in team history.
The Rams do have a chance this week, though. San Francisco is without Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and potentially George Kittle. It will be a battle on the ground. Can Kyren Williams bounce back from last week’s performance to outshine Jordan Mason?
After the 49ers, Los Angeles’ schedule consists of a trip to Chicago and its stellar defense, then games against Green Bay, Las Vegas, and Minnesota who combine for a 5-1 record at this point. If Los Angeles does not get it together, this may be the second time in three seasons the team misses the playoffs.
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