Chances for Jets, Dolphins, Saints, Texans, Titans and Giants to make playoffs after 0-3 start

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The New York Jets, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans are all off to a dismal start this NFL season with a record of 0-3. However, history has shown that a winless start does not necessarily mean the end of a team’s playoff hopes. In fact, there have been several instances in NFL history where teams that started the season 0-3 went on to make the playoffs.

One of the most notable examples of a team overcoming an 0-3 start to make the playoffs is the 1992 San Diego Chargers. After losing their first three games of the season, the Chargers rallied to win 11 of their remaining 13 games and secure a spot in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Stan Humphries and running back Natrone Means, the Chargers went on to upset the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys in the AFC Championship Game.

Another memorable example of a team rebounding from an 0-3 start to make the playoffs is the 1998 Buffalo Bills. After dropping their first three games of the season, the Bills went on a tear, winning 10 of their remaining 13 games to secure a wild card spot in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Doug Flutie and running back Thurman Thomas, the Bills upset the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild card round before falling to the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round.

The 1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers also overcame an 0-3 start to make the playoffs. After losing their first three games of the strike-shortened season, the Buccaneers rallied to win five of their remaining eight games to secure a wild card spot in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Doug Williams and running back James Wilder, the Buccaneers upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins in the divisional round.

The 2018 Houston Texans are another recent example of a team overcoming an 0-3 start to make the playoffs. After dropping their first three games of the season, the Texans rallied to win nine of their remaining 13 games to secure the AFC South division title. Led by quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the wild card round before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.

While starting the season 0-3 is certainly not an ideal situation for any team, history has shown that it is possible to overcome a winless start and still make the playoffs. It requires strong leadership, resilience, and a never-say-die attitude from both the coaching staff and the players. The ability to put the early losses behind them and focus on the task at hand is crucial for teams looking to turn their season around.

In addition to the teams mentioned above, there have been several other instances in NFL history where teams overcame an 0-3 start to make the playoffs. The 1995 Detroit Lions, the 1995 Philadelphia Eagles, the 1995 Cincinnati Bengals, the 1995 San Diego Chargers, the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 2020 Denver Broncos are just a few examples of teams that defied the odds and made the playoffs after a winless start to the season.

So, while the New York Jets, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans may be facing an uphill battle after starting the season 0-3, history has shown that it is not impossible for them to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs. With the right mindset, hard work, and determination, anything is possible in the NFL. Only time will tell if these teams can follow in the footsteps of those who have come before them and defy the odds to secure a spot in the postseason.

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Source: Sporting News