NFL Scores Week 2: Which 0-2 Teams Are in the Most Trouble

Going 0-2 isn't the end of the world in the NFL. This isn't college football, and no matter how badly any of these teams struggle out of the gate, no one's technically eliminated from contention yet. 

Of course, that doesn't mean that some teams haven't clearly identified themselves as long shots. The Kansas City Chiefs have been exposed without Charlie Weis, the Minnesota Vikings can find a way to lose any game, the Indianapolis Colts are one of the league's worst offensive teams and the Seattle Seahawks are stitching their Andrew Luck jerseys as we speak.

So, while 0-2 isn't the end of the road in the NFL, it's definitely an unfortunate detour. These five teams need new directions.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have been outscored 89-10 through two games this season. They're averaging five points per game, and they just lost Jamaal Charles for maybe the entire season. The defense has no pass rush, the offense has no pulse and the best coach from their 2010 staff is down in Gainesville, Florida.

The Chiefs play in the kind of division that can forgive slow starts, but this team has the look of a heavy loser, and without Charles, the offense has no electricity. Matt Cassel is being asked to carry this team, and he hasn't been up to the challenge at all so far.

Indianapolis Colts

It's crazy to think about how bad this team might really be without Peyton Manning. Some of the blunders fall on Kerry Collins, who hasn't been with the team long enough to absorb the offense, but this team has been completely exposed without No. 18 under center. 

The ground game has never been dangerous enough to carry the offense, and it's more apparent now than ever that Manning was simply masking a mediocre defense by outscoring opponents and forcing them into must-pass situations. There's enough left over to win some games this season, but the playoffs are an impossibility without Peyton.

Seattle Seahawks

And the likely winner in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes through two weeks? The Seattle Seahawks. This roster isn't as far from competing as it currently seems, but any team dual-quarterbacked by Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst is limited from the start. There's no ground game to pick up the slack, and the offensive line is perpetually gimpy.

The defense and special teams could steal a few games this year, and the NFC West provides plenty of soft second chances, but the team's biggest win could come in April of 2012.

Minnesota Vikings

First, Donovan McNabb goes out and completely erases a decent day from Adrian Peterson by throwing for only 39 yards in a loss to San Diego. Then, the entire team melts down and allows the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to overcome a 17-0 hole in a 24-20 loss.

McNabb failed to find the end zone, though he did break the vaunted 200-yard plateau, and the Vikings simply found a way to lose. When 120 yards and two touchdowns from Peterson aren't enough to hold onto a 17-point lead, there's a lot of work to do.  Christian Ponder might finish the season as the starter after all.

Carolina Panthers

They're on the list somewhat by default, but it's hard to be too worried when you're coming off a 2-14 season. 0-2 doesn't sound that bad in comparison.

Still, despite huge numbers from rookie QB Cam Newton, who threw for 432 yards and now has 854 yards passing through two games, the Panthers can't close and have allowed two teams in two weeks to overcome deficits and steal victories. Newton needs help from his teammates, and he's not getting enough of it right now.