Giants, Jets 0-2: Desperation meets history as playoff odds linger

Two weeks into the NFL season, the Giants and the Jets find themselves in the same familiar place: an early 0-2 start that rekindles questions about a possible playoff path. The Giants are 0-2 for the 10th time in the past 13 seasons, while the Jets are 0-2 for the fifth time in the past nine seasons. It has been 18 years since the Giants started a season 0-2 and still reached the playoffs, a run that culminated with Plaxico Burress’ touchdown that spoiled the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season. It has been 27 years since the Jets started 0-2 and reached the postseason. Across the league, the odds have not been forgiving: since 1990, about 12.2 percent of 0-2 teams have gone on to the postseason. Last season, three teams—the Ravens, Rams and Broncos—reached the playoffs after dropping their first two games. There is also a widely cited ranking of the nine 0-2 teams based on how much hope they should still have this season, reflecting that some paths are clearer than others.

An analysis from the New York Post laid out a ranking of the nine 0-2 teams based on how much hope they should still have this season. The ranking underscores a wide spectrum of possibilities, with a few teams believed to have a realistic shot and others facing a longer climb. The exact ordering is not specified here, but the point is that even after an 0-2 start, some teams have momentum and schedule alignment that could still yield a postseason berth.

As the schedule moves forward, the Giants and Jets will rely on a turnaround beginning with their next game, a challenge that will test whether history is a guide or merely a cautionary tale. For now, the numbers tell a cautious, sobering story: a minority of teams starting 0-2 reach the playoffs, and the two New York franchises face an uphill climb. The season remains young, and a strong performance in upcoming games could begin to alter the conversation around their trajectories.