By Aaron Jaffe 21’

The 2018-19 NFL season has kicked off and like every season, there are a handful of teams who get off to a great 2-0 start. For some teams it is no surprise they started this way and for others it may not just be surprising but some good fortune. The 9 teams who start 2-0 (or without a loss) are the historically the ones to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl but more realistically, only half of these teams are the real deal.

The Contenders:

1. Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1)

The Vikings spent big money this offseason on former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins with hopes of overcoming their NFC Championship game choke. Although they tied 29-29 against the Packers in Week 2, it is deceiving as any game within the division is tough and especially on the road and Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the ball. The Vikings’ defense has been impressive and once their offense completely clicks expect to see them make a deep playoff run.

2. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)

After losing their first round playoff game at home the Rams needed changes. They did exactly that by bringing in 3 Pro Bowlers. Los Angeles performed exactly how they were projected, winning a tough game on the road against the re-born Jon Gruden Raiders and then shutting out Arizona in a 34-0 blowout. Expect to see the Rams cruise to a division title and a make Super Bowl run.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

In early January, Kansas City traded their former franchise quarterback in Alex Smith to the Redskins for a 3rd round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller. The plan for the Chiefs was to give the keys to the franchise to 2nd year quarterback Patrick Mahomes and play more off their youth. This proved to be a genius move as Kansas City blew out the Chargers in LA and won a shootout in Pittsburgh. Mahomes in these games threw for the most ever touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season (10) and in a weak AFC West division, Kansas City should find themselves playing into the winter weather.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0)

If there ever was a time to hop off the Blake Bortles hate train and onto the bandwagon it would be now. The fifth-year quarterback for Jacksonville has finally stepped up and become the franchise quarterback they hoped they would get when they drafted him. The Jags league-leading defense put on a display the first two games. They shut down the new-look Giants and manhandled the reigning AFC champs New England Patriots, the same team who eliminated Jacksonville just a year ago in the playoffs. If star running back Leonard Fournette stays healthy, they should be the favorites to win the AFC.

The Fakes:

1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)

In the Marvin Lewis era. The Bengals has never won playoff game. Sixteen years without a single win. The defense makes far too many mistakes and they can’t save themselves every time and with star running back Joe Mixon out for 2-4 weeks, the Bengals should take a step back. Unfortunately for them, Cincinnati plays in one of the more competitive divisions so don’t expect the Bengals to break their playoff drought.

2. Miami Dolphins (2-0)

Miami described their offseason in two words: culture change. The Dolphins traded, cut and signed people to create a new attitude in South Beach. They won their first game at home versus a injured Titans squad and then on the road for their second against the Jets. As the season goes on the teams will get tougher and the unreliability from quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s knee and a mediocre defense will fall. There are teams simply better than this Dolphins team so expect nothing more from Miami.

3. Denver Broncos (2-0)

Denver’s problem throughout the years was consistent quarterback play. GM John Elway brought in journeyman Case Keenum to fill the job and he hasn’t exactly been great. The defense has looked confused at times and that’s supposed to be their calling card. Their two wins both came at home versus the 0-2 Seahawks and 0-2 Raiders. With more road games approaching and shaky QB play Denver will fall behind the other competing teams.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

The Bucs were had one of the worst regular season records last year and in the offseason they didn’t do very much to change that. After being heavy underdogs against the Saints in New Orleans and against the Super Bowl champion Eagles, Tampa shocked the world. Ryan Fitzpatrick, aka “Fitzmagic”, totaled for 9 touchdowns in these games and won each one convincingly. The fairytale ride won’t last much longer because teams will stop underestimating them and since they play in the best division in football it’s hard to see them winning even a couple more games, let alone getting a playoff spot.

Wild Card:

Green Bay Packers (1-0-1)

If you are a Packers fan, you should deliver Aaron Rodgers a gift basket every week for literally carrying this team to a win and a tie. Without the star QB, they are a bottom 10 team in the league but if he plays they could be a dark horse to be in the NFC Championship game. The defense is clearly in need of help and the run game is horrendous. When Rodgers goes this team goes, but since Rodgers has a bruised knee that shouldn’t be 100 percent for months, the local cheese heads should hold their breath for a while.