Odds are long, but there are teams that have made playoffs after starting 0-2

The odds of reaching the playoffs after starting 0-2 are not in the Chiefs’ favor. Since 1990, just 12 percent of teams that started 0-2 qualified for the postseason since the current playoff format was introduced.

In all, 23 teams have started 0-2 and reached the postseason since 1990. Last season, the Carolina Panthers started 0-2 and went on to win the NFC South after finishing 12-4.

Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid has started 0-2 three times in his 15 years as a head coach, including 2003 when his Philadelphia Eagles reached the NFC championship game.

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. In 2001, the 0-2 Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI. The 2007 New York Giants started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XLII

The Chiefs have started 0-2 eight times since 2001 and made the playoffs once in those years — 2006 when they finished 9-7 and qualified for a wild-card spot.

So while history may not be on the Chiefs’ side, tight end Travis Kelce said: “History is also meant to be made. Let’s see what happens.”

This story was originally published September 19, 2014 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Odds are long, but there are teams that have made playoffs after starting 0-2."