Sporting News: Winless Lions' chances of making playoffs at zero

Is it too early for the Detroit Lions to book plans for the offseason?

The Sporting News, in a word, says "nope."

With eight NFL teams still without a victory after the first two weeks this season, the Sporting News on Monday speculated on each team's chances to still make the playoffs.

The Lions? No chance.

"The Lions had a meltdown at home against the Jets to open the season," wrote Vinnie Iyer, the Sporting News' NFL writer, in giving the Lions a zero percent chance to reach the postseason. "They played better offensively on the road against the 49ers, with Matthew Stafford nearly delivering a patented, fourth-quarter comeback victory. But coach Matt Patricia's defense still stinks. The front seven is struggling, and the secondary looks lost. The Vikings and Packers are the class of the division, and the Bears look better in many areas. It's another horror-scope for the Leos."

History doesn't appear to be on the Lions' side. Since 2007, only 10 of 91 teams that opened 0-2 reached the playoffs, which is roughly 11 percent. Those numbers are six out of 40 since 2013 (15 percent), Iyer notes.

The Lions aren't alone. Iyer also gives the 0-2 Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals no chance of making the playoffs. The Cleveland Browns, who last year finished 0-16, have a 35 percent chance after an 0-1-1 start.

Iyer gives the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1-1) a 75 percent chance of reaching the postseason.