The Bengals and Jaguars wanted to avoid dreaded 0-3 starts to the 2024 NFL season in their respective Monday night games in Week 3. Unfortunately, both AFC postseason hopefuls quarterbacked by high-priced No. 1 overall picks remain winless going into Week 4.
The Bengals and Jaguars joined the Titans as the only three teams to start '24 at 0-3. But unlike Cincinnati and Jacksonville, rebuilding Tennessee wasn't expected to compete for either an AFC division title or a wild-card berth this season.
History is stacked against the Bengals and Jaguars trying to save their seasons with QBs Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence, who each make an average of $55 million a season on their new contracts. Either team making the playoffs is the longest of shots; both doing so would now be a anomalous miracle.
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Has an 0-3 NFL team made the playoffs?
The good news for Bengals and Jaguars fans is "yes." The bad news is there are only six teams to do it. Only four of 162 teams that started 0-3 (2.5 percent) have done it since 1990. Only one team has done it since 2000.
Here's a quick look at the half-dozen fortunate teams and their final record in their seasons
- 1981 Jets: 10-5-1 (AFC wild card)
- 1982 Buccaneers: 5-4 (NFC wild card, strike-shortened season)
- 1992 Chargers: 11-5 (AFC West champions)
- 1995 Lions: 10-6 (NFC wild card)
- 1998 Bills: 10-6 (AFC wild card)
- 2018 Texans: 11-5 (AFC South champions)
The Texans were able to pull it off only six seasons ago, but it was a 20-year gap before them. The 1992 Chargers are also the only 0-4 NFL team to make the playoffs.
The Bengals haven't gotten into the meat of their schedule and lost as heavy home favorites to both the Patriots in Week 1 and Commanders in Week 3. The Jaguars have lost to the Dolphins, Browns, and now the Bills, and they must face the 2-1 Texans in Houston in Week 4.
The Bengals and Jaguars have dug themselves big holes and have zero margin for error. The reality is, they aren't playing like anything close to playoff teams, which will make it more difficult to make the playoffs with a massive turnaround.