As the NFL season kicks off and you find your favourite team on the back foot, remember – history is on your side.
Since 1990, the NFL has shown that even a slow start can be overcome, and the statistics back this up.
Let’s break down the numbers:
1. Making the Playoffs:
- Teams that started 2-0: 63.8% (or 171 out of 268) of them made the playoffs.
- Teams that began 1-1: The odds are still promising, with 41.8% (or 200 out of 479) making it to the postseason.
2. Winning the Division:
- Teams off to a 2-0 start: A robust 41.0% (or 110 out of 268) clinched their division.
- For teams at 1-1: They weren’t too far behind, with 24.0% (or 115 out of 479) capturing the division title.
You might be thinking, “What if my team starts 0-2?” Fret not! Over the past decade, an 0-2 team has rallied to make the playoffs in 7 out of 10 seasons.
If we rewind to just last season, 8 out of the 14 teams that made the playoffs started either 1-1 or 0-2. An inspiring example is Cincinnati, who began the season 0-2 but then turned it around to clinch the AFC North title. And for those teams lucky enough to start 2-0? Each one of them made the playoffs.
While we all love to see our teams dominate right out of the gate, history has shown that even a slow start can lead to playoff glory. The season is long and full of opportunities.