The Tennessee Titans are in an unfamiliar place after two weeks of the 2022 NFL season, because the group is off to an 0-2 begin for the primary time since 2012, a season that noticed them go 6-10.
They’ll look to bounce again in Week 3 towards a Las Vegas Raiders group that’s in the identical place at 0-2 and within the cellar of their respective division.
The historical past of groups making the playoffs after an 0-2 begin is an ominous signal for each groups.
Per CBS Sports activities, 265 groups have began with that document since 1990, however solely 30 of them (11.6 %) have gone on to make the playoffs. And, of these 30 groups, three have gone on to win the Tremendous Bowl (1.1 %).
As you’d think about, an 0-3 begin lessens Tennessee’s possibilities much more, as simply six groups since 1981 have completed the feat, with the 2018 Houston Texans being the final group to take action. They began 0-4 that 12 months.
Whereas historical past says the deck is certainly stacked towards the Titans making the playoffs — and that’s much more true in a really aggressive AFC — there’s extra hope than regular for the Titans than most 0-2 groups.
That’s as a result of the AFC South stinks. The favourite to win the division, the Indianapolis Colts, are winless and have performed nicely beneath expectations.
The Houston Texans additionally stay winless after tying the Colts and shedding an unsightly recreation to the Denver Broncos. In the meantime, the Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-1 on the high of the division, however we’re ready for that shoe to drop there.
Tennessee’s finest path to the playoffs within the crowded AFC has been and can proceed to be profitable the AFC South. In that regard, their playoff chances are high very a lot alive after an 0-2 begin.