NFL teams aren't able to clinch playoff spots in September, but it's very common for clubs to get eliminated this early with a horrendous start.
Only five teams in NFL history have made the playoffs following an 0-3 start: The 1981 New York Jets, 1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1992 San Diego Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills.
The Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars are sitting pretty at 2-0 starts. Both teams are living up to the early hype as Super Bowl contenders, and they should all cruise to playoff spots. Both teams should win Sunday, but it's not the end of the world if they fall to 2-1.
1-1 teams like the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints leave their fans little reason to be worried. It's not terrible if either of them fall to 1-2. They'll all bounce back in the following weeks.
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But boy, do some playoff hopefuls and pre-season Super Bowl contenders need to start picking it up fast. If these five teams don't pick up a win in Week 3, then their playoff hopes will evaporate quickly.
5. New York Giants
Expectations were higher for the Giants entering the 2018 season, but it's been the same old story in East Rutherford. Eli Manning is as inconsistent as ever. The offensive line is horrid, and the defense isn't good enough to steal games.
We're waiting for rookie running back Saquon Barkley to break out. We're waiting for head coach Pat Shurmur to fix this anemic offense. We're waiting for the Giants to return to that 2016 form.
The Giants visit the equally desperate Houston Texans in Week 3. The loser of this game will see their playoff dreams come to an end. For the Giants, another non-playoff berth is simply unacceptable.
They get a Houston team that hasn't had much to show for on both sides of the ball. This is the one chance the Giants have to try and turn their season around.
4. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders gave Jon Gruden a 10-year, $100 million contract to turn the team around following a disappointing 2017 season. Gruden made a questionable choice to trade away franchise star Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The latter has made an immediate impact with his new team.
Oakland sits at 0-2, while the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the AFC West with identical 2-0 records. The Raiders let a 19-10 lead slip away in the fourth quarter against Denver last week, meaning their Week 3 contest with the Miami Dolphins is a must-win.
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The Dolphins have been no slouches thus far. Ryan Tannehill has been excellent through his first two games, while the defense has limited teams to 16 points per game through the first two weeks.
Miami doesn't need to win this game. They're already in playoff contention. But a loss for the Raiders will mean another non-playoff year. Gruden's game plans have been solid thus far, but the players need to go out there and stop with the mistakes. Better discipline and better football is a must.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions hired former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, hoping he could bring a more disciplined style of football to this team. But the results haven't been there through two weeks.
Detroit was embarrassed at home by the New York Jets in Week 1. A costly holding penalty by Quandre Diggs nullified a go-ahead pick-six off of Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 2. That led to a frustrating 30-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Fittingly enough, Detroit's must-win game comes against the Patriots, the team Patricia was with for over a decade. He'll know a thing or two about the defense New England will run, which bodes well for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Detroit's talented defense hasn't come around yet in 2018. Doing so on Sunday night against the Patriots (in a home game), is the perfect time to do it. The Lions need this one, otherwise it's another non-playoff season, and Patricia will feel even more heat this early into his head coaching career.
2. Houston Texans
A trendy pick to make the playoffs in 2018, the Houston Texans have been terrible in just about every aspect. The defense didn't do much of anything in Week 1 against the Patriots, and Tennessee Titans' backup Blaine Gabbert was barely challenged by Houston in Week 2. He was only sacked once, and the Texans didn't force a single turnover.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson would have won the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award if he didn't suffer a torn ACL mid-season. He's been relatively average through two weeks, with just 486 total passing yards for three touchdowns and two interceptions.
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At this point, the Texans simply have to win if they're to make the playoffs in 2018. Head coach Bill O'Brien is likely fighting for his job right now, and it's up to him to rally his team against the aforementioned struggling Giants.
Week 3 is Houston's season opener. They'll have the crowd behind them in this one. A victory gets them right back in the wide open playoff race. A loss means a second consecutive non-playoff year for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations entering 2018.
1.Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh was supposed to be challenging for the AFC crown with the Jaguars and Patriots, but they've played like a team that will finish last in the AFC North. Things have to change in Week 3, when the Steelers visit the surprising 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Steelers played to a 21-21 tie against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, then followed it up with a stinker at home - a 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a field day with 326 yards and six touchdowns.
Well, the Steelers now face Bucs' quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who's coming off consecutive 400-yard games. The defense has been horrendous so far, and things simply need to change this week.
Ben Roethlisberger and co. have been just fine on offense, even without Le'Veon Bell, who continues to sit out because of his contract situation. But even if the Steelers score 30-plus points, they could very well lose unless the defense turns it around.
If Pittsburgh falls to 0-2-1, then their playoff hopes are likely done. A victory would put them right back in the AFC North race. There is so much on the line for the Steelers heading into Week 3, and it must end in a win.