How many NFL teams that started 0-2 have made the playoffs?
By Luke Norris
Losing an NFL season opener isn't the end of the world.
Does every coach and every player on every team want to kick off a new campaign with a victory? Of course. But that obviously can't happen. And a Week 1 loss often doesn't matter, as plenty of teams have taken such a defeat and gone on to make the NFL Playoffs. Several of those same teams even went on to win the Super Bowl.
Starting a season 0-2, however, is a bit of a different story.
Now, it's obviously not impossible to make the NFL Playoffs after going 0-2. It has been done. But, historically, the probability certainly isn't desirable. So, just how many 0-2 teams have made the postseason? Let's take a look.
How many NFL teams that started 0-2 have made the playoffs?
Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, a total of 407 teams have started with an 0-2 mark (that number does not include the nine from this current 2023 NFL season).
And of those 407, just 39 have made the NFL Playoffs, the most recent being the 2022 Cincinnati Bengals, which comes out to 9.58 percent. So, again, while possible, teams that lose their first two games of the year typically don't earn postseason trips.
Now, think about this. Of the 39 teams to start 0-2 and still make the NFL Playoffs, only four made the Super Bowl. Three of those teams did take home the Lombardi Trophy, however, those being the 1993 Dallas Cowboys, the 2001 New England Patriots, and the 2007 New York Giants. The 1996 Patriots are the lone loser in that foursome.
Here's a quick look at every 0-2 NFL team to still make the postseason.
SEASON | TEAM | RECORD | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1980 | Los Angeles Rams | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1980 | Cleveland Browns | 11-5 | Lost Divisional Round |
1981 | New York Jets | 10-5-1 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1982 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5-4 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1984 | Washington Commanders | 11-5 | Lost Divisional Round |
1987 | Indianapolis Colts | 9-6 | Lost Divisional Round |
1989 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 | Lost Divisional Round |
1990 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1990 | Houston Oilers | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1990 | New Orleans Saints | 8-8 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1991 | Atlanta Falcons | 10-6 | Lost Divisional Round |
1992 | San Diego Chargers | 11-5 | Lost Divisional Round |
1993 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1993 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-4 | Won Super Bowl |
1994 | New England Patriots | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1995 | Detroit Lions | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
1996 | New England Patriots | 11-5 | Lost Super Bowl |
1998 | New York Jets | 12-4 | Lost AFC Championship |
1998 | Arizona Cardinals | 9-7 | Lost Divisional Round |
1998 | Buffalo Bills | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2001 | New England Patriots | 11-5 | Won Super Bowl |
2002 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-5-1 | Lost Divisional Round |
2002 | Atlanta Falcons | 9-6-1 | Lost Divisional Round |
2003 | Philadelphia Eagles | 12-4 | Lost NFC Championship |
2006 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2007 | New York Giants | 10-6 | Won Super Bowl |
2008 | San Diego Chargers | 11-5 | Lost Divisional Round |
2008 | Minnesota Vikings | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2008 | Miami Dolphins | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2013 | Carolina Panthers | 12-4 | Lost Divisional Round |
2014 | Indianapolis Colts | 11-5 | Lost AFC Championship |
2015 | Seattle Seahawks | 10-6 | Lost Divisional Round |
2015 | Houston Texans | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2016 | Miami Dolphins | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2017 | New Orleans Saints | 11-5 | Lost Divisional Round |
2018 | Seattle Seahawks | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2018 | Houston Texans | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card Round |
2022 | Cincinnati Bengals | 12-4 | Lost AFC Championship |
Next. One reason why every NFL team can win Super Bowl 58. One reason why every NFL team can win Super Bowl 58. dark
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference