2008 Playoff Teams Struggle To Start 2009

Two games into the 2009 NFL season and a few surprises have arisen. Three playoff teams from last year have started the season at 0-2. The Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and the Carolina Panthers have started their year in a hole that will take a miracle to get out of.

The Miami Dolphins have lost to the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts this season.  Chad Pennington is struggling with a 75.9 QB rating. Pennington has thrown two INTs verse one touchdown.

There are a few bright spots for the Dolphins this season. Ronnie Brown has 179 yards on 34 carries so far this year and Ted Ginn Jr. has 134 yards on 13 receptions. If this pace stays up Brown will run for 1280 yards and Ginn will catch for 1072 yards.

Miami will travel to San Diego this weekend then tackle division rivals Buffalo and New York at home in the following weeks.

It is a very good possibility that the Dolphins will be 0-5 heading into BYE WEEK.

The Carolina Panthers have started the season with loses to Philadelphia and Atlanta. Quarterback play is the key to the Panthers terrible start with Jake Delhomme sitting at a 45.3 quarterback rating and questions abound about if he should be the starter. Delhomme has five INTs to one touchdown so far this year.

Steve Smith is one of the only bright spots on this team with lots of talent. Smith has 11 catches for 152 yards so far this season. The two headed running back duo are not doing too bad with each running back over 100 yards for the season and both on pace for at least 800 yards rushing this season. The defense has struggled in stopping the run so far this season giving up 168 yards a game.

Carolina will travel to Dallas this week then get a break before hosting Washington in week five.

Look for Carolina to go 0-3 then regroup and get a win in week five against Washington.

The Tennessee Titans started the season with losses to Pittsburgh and the Houston Texas. The Titans lost both games by three points.

While the offense hasn’t looked totally bad it hasn’t looked great. Kerry Collins sits at a respectful 85.4 rating and has three touchdowns to two INTs. The key to the offense is star running back Chris Johnson who has 254 yards rushing and 10 catches for 98 yards receiving with three touchdowns total. Justin Gage and Kenny Britt are both having decent starts to their season with 105 and 107 yards respectfully.

The Titans defense has given up almost 700 yards of passing offense while holding the running game to only 99 through two games.

The Titans will travel to the Jets and the Jaguars before coming home to play the Colts in Week five.

The Titans will regroup and win two out of the next three and be at 2-3 heading into week six.