NFL Week 2 Picks: Which Playoff Teams from Last Year Will Start the Season 0-2?

Starting the season 0-2 does not necessarily squash a team's playoff hopes (just look at the 2008 New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl), but it does diminish its chances quite a bit. Since 1990, only 13% of the teams that started out 0-2 made the playoffs.  This year there are six playoff teams from 2010 (Indianapolis, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Atlanta) that could fall to 0-2 this weekend. Which of these teams will have backed themselves into a corner this weekend, and who will have greatly increased their odds of getting back to the playoffs?

Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions

After getting blown out at home by the Buffalo Bills, of all teams, the Chiefs travel to Detroit to face an up-and-coming Lions team. 

The Chiefs looked awful in all aspects as the Bills handed them their worst opening loss in team history.  After the game, things got worse when they found out their standout safety, Eric Berry, would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL.  So a defense that gave up 41 points to the Bills will be without, arguably, it's best defensive player when it faces a Lions team that put up over 430 yards of total offense at Tampa Bay.  I don't see how this Chiefs defense, minus Berry, is going to stop Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and company on the road. 

On the other side of the ball, I don't see how a Chiefs offense, which refuses to give enough touches to its best player, Jamaal Charles, is going to score enough points against a Lions defense that is quickly becoming one of the league's best.  The Chiefs will fall to 0-2 with 0-3 right around the corner with a visit to San Diego in Week 3.

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints took a loss at Green Bay in the most exciting game of Week 1.  The Saints' offense looked like what we have come to expect, and even with the loss of Marques Colston, I don't see them slowing down, no matter who they play.  I'm not too worried about their defense.  The Packers will do that to just about every team they play this year.

On the other side of the field, the Bears are coming off an impressive win over the Atlanta Falcons.  The Bears D was dominant against a very good Falcons offense.  The difference is that last week they played at home.  This week they'll play in New Orleans, where the Saints are very tough to beat.  That atmosphere for the Saints' opener is sure to be electric.  The Bears may slow them down, but the Saints will score enough points.  On the other side of the ball, I don' think Jay Cutler will be as comfortable this week in New Orleans as he was last week at home.  Saints improve to 1-1.

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts

The big story so far this year has been the injury to Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning.  Fans knew the Colts would struggle without their franchise quarterback, but I don't think they expected it to look as bad as it did in the 34-7 loss to the Texans last week.  Kerry Collins fumbled three times, losing two, and the Colts trailed 34-0 at the half. They have to be better than that...right? I mean the Colts have multiple Pro Bowlers on offense and defense. They should be better than this...right? 

The Cleveland Browns come into this game after a disappointing home loss to Cincinnati, in which they allowed the Bengals to score 14 points late in the fourth quarter for the come-from-behind victory.  Even considering that and the fact that the Browns will be on the road, Cleveland opened as a 2.5-point favorite over the Colts.

I expect the Browns to try to cram Peyton Hillis down the Colts D's throat, but I also expect the Colts D to play better at home.  I also expect Kerry Collins to play much better in his home debut for the Colts (it can't get much worse).  Colts avoid the 0-2 start in this one.

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers

Here's a matchup where two playoff teams from last year try to avoid starting the season 0-2.  The Seahawks will travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday to face the Steelers.  Both the Seahawks and Steelers are coming off blowout losses to the 49ers and Ravens, respectively.  Neither team looked particularly good in any aspect last week, and the Steelers suffered a big loss after the game, losing OL Willie Colon for the season. 

Now, I know the Steelers are a much better team than what they showed last week.  The Seahawks...I'm not so sure.  The fact that they have to make the long trip to Pittsburgh doesn't help.  The Steelers D looked old and slow against the Ravens.  Tarvaris Jackson will prove to be the perfect remedy for that.  I like the Steelers to get back on track BIG, and send the Seattle faithful home, 0-2, and grateful that they play in the NFC West.

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons

In what looks like the game of the week, Michael Vick will return to Atlanta to face the team he started his career with.  The Eagles looked pretty good in St. Louis last week, while the Falcons looked pretty bad in Chicago.  The Falcons had the best record in the NFC last year, so you know they have the talent.  I'm going to chalk the loss to the Bears as just a bad day at the office for Atlanta.  They have a good defense, an explosive offense, and are just better than what they showed Sunday.  On the other side, I also think the Eagles are better than what they showed us Sunday, and they won by 18 on the road.

Turnovers killed the Falcons against the Bears. The offense will play better at home.  I look for Michael Turner to have a big-time game.  The Rams ran the ball very well even after Stephen Jackson went out after only 2 carries (one of which was a 47-yard TD run). 

On the other side of the ball, you know Michael Vick will be pumped up for this reunion.  I think he has a HUGE game on the nationally-televised Sunday Night game.  Michael Vick wins this game. The Falcons drop to 0-2, and they're a much better team than that.