The start to any NFL season is crucial, but for a number of teams, it has been a disaster.
For those teams staring down the barrel of an 0-3 record, the season can feel all but over.
However, as history proves, the playoff dream is not yet dead.
While the odds are long, a handful of teams have overcome a disastrous start to make the playoffs, a feat that is a testament to their grit and determination.
This article will provide a look back at the exclusive club of teams who have started 0-3 and still made the playoffs.
The list is short, but the stories of these teams are a great example of the NFL's unpredictable nature.
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The teams that defied the odds after an 0-3 start
Since 1970, only six teams have ever started a season with an 0-3 record and still managed to make the playoffs.
The most recent example came in 2018 with the Houston Texans.
1981 New York Jets
1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1992 San Diego Chargers
1995 Detroit Lions
- 1998 Buffalo Bills
2018 Houston Texans
The fact that only six teams have ever done it highlights the difficulty of the feat.
The new 14-team playoff format has given teams an extra chance, but the challenge is still a massive one.
Why a poor start is so difficult to overcome
A poor start to the season is so difficult to overcome for a number of reasons.
The NFL season is a short one, with only 17 games, which means that every game is a must-win.
Losing three games in a row at the start of the season is a major blow to a team's confidence and their hopes of making the playoffs.
The NFL is also a very competitive league, and the margin for error is a very small one.
Teams that start 0-3 often struggle to build momentum and are often left playing catch-up for the rest of the season.
However, the teams that have made the playoffs after an 0-3 start have all had one thing in common: a strong sense of belief in their team and their coaches.