What to Look For Preview

By Dean Michaels

IT'S STILL EARLY

History shows that 0-2 teams advance to the playoffs more often than people might think.

Since the current playoff format was instituted in 1990, 22 teams started 0-2 and still qualified for the postseason.

The 1993 Dallas Cowboys started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XXVIII. The 0-2 New England Patriots of 1996 played in Super Bowl XXXI, and in 2001, the 0-2 Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI. The 2007 New York Giants started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XLII.

0-2 NFL teams since 1990 that eventually made the playoffs:

 

UNDEFEATED STARTS

Seven teams are undefeated through the first two weeks of the season -- Buffalo, Detroit, Green Bay, Houston, New England, the New York Jets, and Washington.

Two of these clubs, the Bills and the Lions, look to begin this season at 3-0 after starting 0-3 last season. And while no guarantee of future success, a strong start to the season is a good omen -- 75.9 percent of teams (82 of 108) that started 3-0 since 1990 made the playoffs.

Of the seven teams since realignment in 2002 to begin a season 3-0 after starting the previous season 0-3, four have qualified for the postseason. Most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs started 3-0 in 2010 en route to an AFC West title on the heels of an 0-5 start in 2009.

The teams since realignment in 2002 to begin a season at 3-0 after starting the previous season 0-3:

 

PASS TIME

There have been 23 individual 300-yard passing performances so far in 2011, the most ever though the first two weeks of a season. Net passing yards are at 15,771, also the most ever through the first two weeks.

In addition to being a record through Week 2, the 23 individual 300-yard passing games are already the most through the first three weeks of any NFL season with a full slate of games still to play. Teams can add to this already record-setting total this weekend.

PASSING YARDS

New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY leads the league with 940 passing yards. Brady's total is the most by a quarterback in the first two weeks of a season and he became the first player in NFL history to follow a 500-yard passing performance with a 400-yard game (517 yards in Week 1; 423 yards in Week 2).

With 282 passing yards this weekend against the Buffalo Bills, Brady can surpass KURT WARNER (1,221 in 2000) for the most passing yards in NFL history through a team's first three games.

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback CAM NEWTON has thrown for 854 yards this season and can also challenge Warner's mark.

The players with the most passing yards through their team's first three games:

 

ROOKIE QB CAM NEWTON CAN-DO

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback CAM NEWTON became the first player in NFL history to record back-to-back 400-yard passing games to begin a career. Newton followed his 422-yard NFL debut on Kickoff Weekend by setting the single-game rookie record with 432 passing yards last week. His 854 passing yards are the most ever by player in his first two NFL games.

Newton became the first rookie to pass for at least 300 yards in consecutive games. He can add to that total with a 300-yard performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.

With 400 passing yards this weekend, Newton could also become the first player with three consecutive games of at least 400 yards passing in NFL history. New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY can also accomplish the feat in Week 3.

The players in NFL history to record consecutive 400-yard passing games:

 

DREW BREES

New Orleans Saints quarterback DREW BREES has thrown a touchdown pass in 29 consecutive games, including the first two games in 2011.

With a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans this Sunday, Brees can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (30) for the third-most consecutive games with a touchdown pass in NFL history. Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS holds the record, passing for a touchdown in 47 consecutive games from 1956-1960.

Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass in NFL history:

 

TEXANS TWO STEP

Houston Texans running back BEN TATE has recorded 219 rushing yards thus far in 2011.

He has rushed for over 100 yards in each contest this season, gaining 116 yards on the ground in Week 1 and adding 103 last weekend, helping the Texans to a 2-0 start.

With 100 rushing yards against the New Orleans Saints this weekend, Tate can join current St. Louis Rams running back CADILLAC WILLIAMS as the only running backs in NFL history to gain at least 100 yards in each of their first three career games. In his first three games of 2005 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams recorded 148, 128, and 158 rushing yards, respectively.

 

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