How the winless will fare

0-2

Every year for some NFL teams, that record to start a season represents early crisis.

It’s a time when, regardless of what the expectations were before the season began, teams wonder when (and sometimes if ) they’re going to win their first game.

Since 2007, there have been 91 teams that started 0-2 and just 10 of them made the playoffs. The 2007 Giants are only one to start 0-2 and go on to win the Super Bowl.

Seven teams enter Sunday’s Week 3 games with 0-2 records — including the Giants, who are in this predicament for the fourth time in the past five years. Here’s our look at the not-so-magnificent seven and a prediction on how they’ll finish:

Texans (8-8): They have the biggest upside of the seven because of dynamic quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was an MVP candidate in 2017 before blowing out his right knee and missing the last nine games. You have to figure Watson and J.J. Watt, also returning from a season-ending injury in ’17, will improve the team in final 14 games.

Seahawks (7-9): I’m still a believer in quarterback Russell Wilson despite his poor performance Monday in Chicago. Seattle’s two losses came to Broncos and Bears, both decent teams.

Giants (7-9): It’s a transition year with new head coach Pat Shurmur, a turned-over roster and 37-yearold quarterback Eli Manning playing behind a revamped (and so far struggling) offensive line.

Raiders (6-10): Jon Gruden’s return to coaching after 10 years in the TV booth hasn’t been triumphant. Oakland hopes Derek Carr (80.6 completion percentage) will carry the team, but he needs to stretch the field more than he has.

Lions (5-11): Questions about whether the players respect firstyear head coach Matt Patricia have already surfaced, which is disturbing.

Cardinals (5-11): The Cardinals haven’t lost more than eight games since 2012, but they’re going to eclipse that mark this year.

Bills (3-13): It’s difficult imagining Buffalo beating anyone right now. The Bills have been anemic on offense and defense.