How many NFL teams make the playoffs after starting 0-2? These teams need hope originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Is your NFL’s team season over after Week 2?

For the 0-2 teams pondering the question the most, the answer is nuanced.

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The 2025 season features the following 10 teams without a win through two weeks: the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.

Some teams have the quarterback situation to go on a run and bounce back. But most franchises aren’t as fortunate.

Here’s a breakdown of the chances to make the playoffs after starting 0-2:

How many NFL teams make the playoffs after starting 0-2?

Since the NFL merger in 1970, just 43 of 422 teams made the playoffs after an 0-2 start, a percentage of 10.1. If the year is pushed back to 1933 when the NFL playoffs first started, the percentage dips to 8.6.

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Since 2020 when the playoffs expanded to 14 franchises, 38 of 43 teams missed the postseason after a 0-2 start. But 29 of those 38 teams also didn’t punch a postseason ticket the year prior.

Which NFL teams most recently made the playoffs after starting 0-2?

It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom after a 0-2 start. Bouncing back can depend on factors like who is QB1, rest-of-schedule strength and the stars simply aligning.

Most recently, the 2024 season saw three teams claw back from such a hole. The Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos all defied the odds, with Denver being aided by the freshly expanded format.

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It certainly helps to have Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford under center, while rookie Bo Nix did his job to win against opponents of similar or inferior quality alongside the backing of Sean Payton and a robust defense.

Which 0-2 NFL teams in 2025 could make the playoffs?

The Chiefs are the pick of the bunch given Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid are still around. The returns of wideouts Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice could be key, as well as possible reinforcements before the trade deadline.

Houston and the Giants will have their chances boil down to the play of C.J. Stroud and Russell Wilson. Can Stroud return to his rookie-season form or has he peaked? Can Wilson play every week like he did in Week 2 at the Dallas Cowboys?

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Chicago is in the tier just above the Jets, Browns, Titans, Panthers and Saints as the jury is still out on sophomore Caleb Williams under Ben Johnson. The latter five, however, don’t yet have a playoff-caliber QB1 to lead a possible charge.

How many NFL teams won the Super Bowl after starting 0-2?

Only three NFL teams overcame the 0-2 hurdle to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Those franchises are:

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published in September 2023.