3 teams looking for answers after 0-2 starts
Some NFL teams have enjoyed fairy-tale starts to the 2019 campaign, while others have experienced nightmares over the first two weeks of September.
A trio of underachievers are desperately seeking answers after stumbling to 0-2 marks:
Carolina Panthers
Answers will be tough to come by without quarterback Cam Newton, who aggravated a preseason foot injury and could be hobbled for at least a little while. Whether he's in the lineup each week or not, the Panthers must find a way to get the passing game going; their aerial attack was sluggish against both the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two teams that struggled to defend the pass a year ago. Newton, in fact, hasn't thrown a touchdown in two games. With the rest of the roster fairly stable, it's on him and offensive coordinator Norv Turner get Carolina off the schneid.
New York Jets
Talk about a tailspin. The Jets spent nearly $200 million in free agency, only to blow a 16-0 lead in their season opener at home against the division rival Buffalo Bills before ultimately finding themselves in an 0-2 hole. Then they lost quarterback Sam Darnold to mononucleosis, linebacker C.J. Mosley to a groin injury, and rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to an ankle issue. It's only been two games, but Le'Veon Bell hasn't looked like the guy who made three Pro Bowls in five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Gang Green will struggle to stack together wins until he finds his groove. Head coach Adam Gase has his work cut out.
Denver Broncos
Joe Flacco was brought in to stabilize the Broncos' offense, but the unit has looked porous through two contests. Denver ranks 28th in scoring at a mere 15 points per game and has shown no ability to move the chains with any sort of consistency. Flacco hasn't received much help from his offensive line; left tackle Garett Bolles was flagged for holding four times in the team's Week 2 loss to the Chicago Bears. Defensively, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are still looking for their first sacks as the unit as a whole is still without a takeaway. A Week 3 date with the undefeated Green Bay Packers could set the Broncos back even more.