Nevertheless history shows that 0-2 teams advance to the playoffs more often than people might think. Since the current playoff format was instituted in 1990, 22 teams started 0-2 and still qualified for the postseason.
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, and in 2001, the 0-2 Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI. Most recently, the 2007 New York Giants started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XLII.
Following are the 0-2 teams since 1990 to qualify for the playoffs:
YEAR | TEAM (WINLESS START) | ADVANCED TO: |
1990 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
| | Wild Card Playoffs |
| | Wild Card Playoffs |
1991 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
1992 | | Divisional Playoffs |
1993 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
| | Won Super Bowl XXVIII |
1994 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
1995 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
1996 | | Lost Super Bowl XXXI |
1998 | | Divisional Playoffs |
| | Wild Card Playoffs |
| | Championship Game |
2001 | | Won Super Bowl XXXVI |
2002 | | Divisional Playoffs |
| | Divisional Playoffs |
2003 | | Championship Game |
2006 | | Wild Card Playoffs |
2007 | New York Giants (0-2) | Won Super Bowl XLII |
2008 | Miami Dolphins (0-2) | Wild Card Playoffs |
| Minnesota Vikings (0-2) | Wild Card Playoffs |
| San Diego Chargers (0-2) | Divisional Playoffs |