For 16 NFL teams, Week 1 of the 2016 season started off on the wrong foot. But the clubs that have started 0-1 shouldn’t panic just yet. Seven teams avenged season-opening losses with a Week 2 win last year, while five teams lost in Week 1 but still went on to make the playoffs.
Here are five 0-1 teams that seem poised to bounce back in Week 2:
Carolina Panthers
Last week: Loss at Denver Broncos, 21-20
This week: vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Carolina’s Super Bowl revenge missed wide left in Denver, but Week 2 provides an incredible opportunity for the defending NFC champions to get back in the win column. The 49ers must travel across the country on a short week to play during the early time slot on the East Coast, while the Panthers have basically enjoyed a mini bye week.
Carolina would be heavy favorites regardless of time and location, but this odd scheduling quirk—with the Panthers not playing since last Thursday, and the 49ers having to travel almost 3,000 miles after playing late on Monday night—should make a San Francisco upset highly unlikely. There’s also the realization here that the 49ers have to transition from facing Case Keenum to reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton. The Panthers should win big.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week: Loss vs. Green Bay Packers, 27-23
This week: at San Diego Chargers (0-1)
Jacksonville has a long road trip out to San Diego, but this still feels like a game between two teams heading in different directions. The young, talented Jaguars went back-and-forth with the Green Bay Packers—an NFC favorite—in Week 1, while the Chargers blew a big lead and lost a key player (Keenan Allen) during a devastating overtime loss in Kansas City.
You get the sense that the Jaguars feel like an opportunity to prove themselves slipped through their fingers. Meanwhile, the Chargers must be fighting that “here we go again” feeling under Mike McCoy. It’s safe to envision quarterback Blake Bortles hitting a few big throws he missed against the Packers, and the Jaguars heading home Sunday night with the big win they missed out on in Week 1.
New York Jets
Last week: Loss vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 23-22
This week: at Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Barring a tie, one team will come out of the Thursday night matchup with a 1-1 record. Despite a crushing Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets are the better bet to get their first win. While Bills receiver Sammy Watkins is listed as questionable to play, the bigger injury for Buffalo is up front, where starting left tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle) has already been ruled out.
The protection for Tyrod Taylor suddenly looks frighteningly thin, especially against a Jets defensive front that tallied seven sacks in a dominant performance in Week 1. And let’s not act like Taylor and the Bills were moving the football up and down the field against a so-so Ravens defense to open the season. Expect New York to dominate this game at the line of scrimmage, especially on a short week.
Dallas Cowboys
Last week: Loss vs. New York Giants, 20-19
This week: at Washington Redskins (0-1)
All eyes figure to be on Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, who will make his second career start after failing to throw a touchdown pass during his debut against the Giants. But it’s rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott who could power the Cowboys to their first win in 2016.
After giving up the seventh most rushing yards in the NFL and 4.8 yards per carry last season, the Redskins saw their run defense gashed for 143 yards and two touchdowns by DeAngelo Williams to start 2016. The Cowboys have a dominant offensive line, and an unwavering commitment to moving the ball on the ground, especially with a rookie at quarterback. Dallas could end up controlling the game on offense, with Elliott and former Washington running back Alfred Morris taking turns punishing a fragile run defense.
Arizona Cardinals
Last week: Loss vs. New England Patriots, 23-21
This week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Hosting Tampa Bay is far from an easy win for the Cardinals, especially after Jimmy Garoppolo picked them apart through most of the game on Sunday night. Fresh off a four-touchdown performance in the Bucs’ opener, quarterback Jameis Winston may provide little reprieve for the Arizona secondary.
That said, it’s hard to see a team that won 13 games last season dropping two straight at home to start 2016. The Cardinals need to provide more help to rookie cornerback Brandon Williams (who Garopppolo abused in Week 1), and Carson Palmer needs to produce more big plays against a Tampa Bay defense that allowed 334 yards and two touchdowns to Matt Ryan in the opener. If Arizona can achieve these goals, a 1-1 record should follow.
