Week 2 NFL Predictions: Teams That Will Go 2-0 but Fail to Make the Playoffs

Start 2-0 and you're set, right? The playoffs are just a few short months away. Might as well put the postseason tickets on sale.

Not so fast.

In a recent blog post, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News stated the following regarding recent playoff history: "In the 10 seasons since the NFL realigned its divisions, 70 of the 120 teams that made the playoffs (58.3 percent) began 1-1 or 0-2. That group includes last year's Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants."

So, which teams will go 2-0 this weekend but fall short of the NFL's second season?

Washington Redskins

Yes, I'm pouring on the Robert Griffin III parade in the nation's capital.

I don't blame Redskins' fans for being thrilled. They deserve some exciting quarterback play. RG3's going to be good. I get that. And yes, after a Week 2 matchup with the St. Louis Rams, 2-0 is a distinct possibility. 

If the Redskins can beat the Saints in New Orleans, who can't they beat? 

In theory, that holds up. In the reality of the NFL, it doesn't. 

As is typically the case with any quarterback—especially a rookie—ups and downs are a fundamental part of a season. 

Griffin III won't throw for 300-plus yards every week. His defense won't make as many big plays each time out. Look at how Cam Newton cooled off statistically in 2011. 

I'm adverse to pointing to a team's upcoming schedule when predicting wins and losses, but I'm not naive to think some games are clearly easier than others. 

Games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and their NFC East opponents at least appear to be tough tests. 

If RG3 continues to impress, the Redskins won't finish last in the NFC East, a place many predicted they'd be at year's end, but a 2-0 start will fade to a game or two short of the postseason in Griffin III's rookie campaign. 

San Diego Chargers

San Diego, a perennial playoff contender, a team everyone says is loaded with talent but always falls short of expectations. 

Over the last decade, that's probably been true. 

This year's team certainly has its fair share of talent and still has Philip Rivers under center, but a 2-0 start won't guarantee anything. 

There are still a load of injury concerns, especially at the running back position and with Antonio Gates. Sure, the Pro Bowl tight end returned against the Raiders after suffering a rib injury, but who knows if the injury lingers and causes him to miss time. 

The Chargers are so herky-jerky, such an annual roller coaster ride, that 2-0 would be encouraging, but wouldn't provide postseason assurance. 

Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos look promising and you mustn't count out the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Minnesota Vikings

A 2-0 start for the Vikings? A real possibility. Something that would definitely open eyes and force prognosticators to get out their erasers and find their preseason NFC North predictions. 

Well, squeaking by the Jacksonville Jaguars and beating Indianapolis Colts to start the season wouldn't exactly be the greatest indicator of a playoff contender. 

The NFC North is tough. No, it's really, really tough. 

Yes, the Vikings may be more competitive than we all expected, but are they good enough to finish with a better record than the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears or Detroit Lions? 

Anything can happen in the NFL, but I'll take those three teams over the long haul than the 2012 Vikings, who could have a promising future. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso