Because that’s when those losing teams need to hear this stat after starting 0-1: perOddShark , of the 75 teams that have fallen to 0-2 since 2007, only seven (nine percent) have made the playoffs.

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With the Seahawks and Texans both overcoming the odds last season, it’s unlikely two teams will do it again in 2016.

The five teams below should be considered playoff contenders going into this season, but their optimism for the opener can quickly turn to desperation with a defeat. It makes a good start on Sunday absolutely critical to their chances:

1. Vikings (at Titans, 1 p.m. ET, FOX).  

Minnesota is unlikely to trot out new starting QB Sam Bradford because he’s not yet totally comfortable with the offense. So it’s on backup Shaun Hlll to grind out a tricky road game by leaning on Adrian Peterson and the defense. Tennessee is a trap with its own attacking defense and run-heavy offense. Up next for the Vikings are the Packers at home and the Panthers away, with the Texans looming in Week 5. There’s real potential for 0-3 and the Bradford move meaning little.

2. Bengals (at Jets, 1 p.m. ET, CBS).  

Cincinnati is one of the league’s most stable playoff teams with five consecutive playoff trips. The last two seasons have produced 3-0 and 8-0 starts with no sweat. This is a difficult road draw, however, against a defensive-minded team that finished 10-6 last season. Andy Dalton has tended to struggle in these types of matchups, but he’ll need come through to build on a strong presesason.

The Bengals can’t get caught looking ahead to a much-anticipated rematch with the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 2, followed by opening at home against the Broncos in Week 3.

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3. Jets (vs. Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS).  

What happens in MetLife Stadium is guaranteed to send one team into the AFC dumps. It’s an emotional game for New York on Sept. 11, and the Jets need to be buoyed by that to beat a better Bengals team. It’s an absolute must-win, but it may not even help much with the brutality raised by the next five games on the schedule: at Bills, at Chiefs, vs. Seahawks, at Steelers, at Cardinals. At 0-0, the Jets already feel like a playoff longshot.

4. Chiefs (vs. Chargers, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). 

Kansas City should beat up on San Diego much like it did twice last season, but you never know with division games, even at Arrowhead. There won’t be any Jamaal Charles, and the Chargers feel like their defense has improved enough to make it interesting. The Chiefs need to put it away early, with at Texans, vs. Jets, at Steelers and at Raiders lined up as the next four games.

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5. Colts (vs. Lions, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX). 

Indianapolis figures to step right into vying for the AFC South again with Andrew Luck back healthy. But the Colts are facing a team much like them in their interconference opener. All signs point to a shootout between Luck and Matthew Stafford. Before Luck went down, they saw last year’s promise quickly unravel at 0-2 after getting whipped by the Bills and Jets.

This is a game Indy should win at home, or traveling to the well-rested Broncos in Week 2 is bound to put them in the same precarious situation.