Which 0-2 NFL Team Has the Best Chance of Bouncing Back?

Just because your favorite team might be 0-2, that does not mean they should be written off just yet. Over the years, teams have lost their first two games to open up a season but few have managed to bounce back when fans expected it the least.

Since 1990, 12 percent of NFL teams with an 0-2 start have rebounded to reach the playoffs. Although the chances are slim, the opportunity is there and a quick turnaround is all it takes to put a team in playoff contention.

In this slideshow, we'll evaluate all seven of the winless teams and see which ones are likely to come back and extend their year by playing in the postseason.

Indianapolis Colts

USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts have played two very tough football teams, but that is never an excuse for losing. In fact, the Colts have no one to blame but themselves for their 0-2 kickoff.

The Colts outscored the Broncos 24-7 in the last 30 minutes and 19 seconds of Sunday Night Football in Week 1, but played poorly in the first half as the Broncos got off to a 24-0 start.

The Colts outscored the Eagles 20-6 for two-and-a-half quarters but were outplayed in the final 20 minutes as Philadelphia came back and won with a game-winning field goal as time expired on Monday Night Football this past week.

The Colts are playing great football for only one half in each of their losses. Coach Chuck Pagano has to figure out the issue and get the Colts to play 60 minutes of football.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in big trouble offensively. The Jaguars’ top two pass-catchers are hurt.

Rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns had a sensational NFL debut, but he suffered an ankle injury and has yet to practice. Tight end Marcedes Lewis also suffered an ankle injury and is placed on injured reserve/designated for return.

Quarterback Chad Henne, who has completed 54 percent of his passes, will have to make Marqise Lee his No. 1 target as the offense’s rushing game is non-existent.

Kansas City Chiefs

USA TODAY Sports

Since the preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have lost a lot of players through injury and are without offensive tackle Donald Stephenson for two more games due to a suspension. The Chiefs are currently without nine of their starters.

Most recently, Pro Bowlers Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry both went down with ankle injuries.

Although the Chiefs put up a good fight against a high-powered Broncos team without many of their starters, Chiefs fans are uncertain about the team’s chances to collect wins this season.

New Orleans Saints

USA TODAY Sports

Saints fans are probably getting flashbacks of the 2012 season when the team started 0-4. That resulted in a 7-9 finish, which the Saints want to prevent, especially with all the talent on this team.

Tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receivers Marques Colston and rookie Brandin Cooks have contributed heavily with Drew Brees in the passing game. Khiry Robinson will need to help Pierre Thomas in the running game as Mark Ingram is expected to miss a month due to a hand injury.

Two field-goal kicks—an overtime loss and another loss with three seconds to spare—forced the Saints to start 0-2. New Orleans lost their two games by a combined five points.

New York Giants

USA TODAY Sports

It is probably no surprise to any of you that the New York Giants are on this list of 0-2 teams. At the same time, it should be. Keep in mind, this team has the same coach and quarterback that recently won a pair of Super Bowls, beating one of the best teams in the Patriots in each Super Bowl.

Eli Manning is coming off a season where he threw a career-low of 18 touchdowns (excluding his rookie season) and a career-high and league-leading 27 interceptions. Manning’s woes have carried over to 2014, hurting the Giants in becoming a winning team.

The Giants have not been very competitive in either of their games as they are tied fourth to last in scoring. New York also has the worst turnover differential in the league at minus five and have yet to create a turnover on defense.

Oakland Raiders

USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders have seen some flashes from rookie quarterback Derek Carr, but that has yet to translate into a win. Alongside being the rookie quarterback, Carr is also the team’s leading rusher with 57 yards. Wide receiver James Jones came from Green Bay this past offseason and has been the team’s only highlight on offense with Carr.

The Houston Texans and New York Jets, proving that running the football is the simple key to beating the Raiders, have exposed Oakland’s defense. The Raiders have allowed 400 yards on the ground in just two games.

With the bad defense, the limited scoring has kept the Raiders down.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

USA TODAY Sports

Josh McCown has not lived up to expectations in Tampa Bay after he had 13 touchdowns and one interception in eight games last year with Chicago. McCown has two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and three interceptions so far.

Bobby Rainey has made an impact on the ground with 156 rushing yards up to this point, but it has only given the Buccaneers 31 points in their two games.

Tampa Bay’s defense hasn’t been that bad as it gave the team a chance to start 2-0. Tampa Bay lost its first game by six to Carolina and this past week to St. Louis by two.

A few tweaks could get the team back in the right direction, but Tampa Bay has Atlanta, Pittsburgh and New Orleans coming up in three consecutive road games.

Which Team Will Bounce Back?

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

1. New Orleans Saints*

Losing two games by five points is hard to take in. But this proves New Orleans isn't as bad as its record shows. Some minor adjustments and finishing games stronger will keep Saints fans optimistic.

2. Indianapolis Colts*

Andrew Luck is not used to back-to-back losses in his time as a football player collegiality and professionally. If the Colts play well for four quarters, they will be tough to beat.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Despite the loss, the Chiefs looked good on Sunday against the Broncos with some of their backups filling in. But can they do that consistently or was that a one-game flash? Andy Reid is the right coach and Alex Smith is a better quarterback than some realize.

4. New York Giants

If Eli Manning limits his turnovers, the New York Giants will be hard to compete against. With Philadelphia showing no signs of slowing down, New York's best chance of trying to bounce back and make the postseason would have to come through a wild-card spot.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Like New Orleans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had two close games in which they fell each time. But they now face a daunting challenge, having to go on the road and face three tough teams.

6. Oakland Raiders

If the Oakland Raiders don't improve their last place ranked rush defense, it could be a long season.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars' offense looked good to start off the season. But without Mercedes Lewis and Allen Hurns, bouncing back will be a tall order for this team.

* = Will make postseason

Follow @Farzin21