Since the 2002 divisional realignment, of the sixty teams that have qualified for postseason play, four teams have begun the season 0-2 and made the playoffs.
| Year/Team | Avg. Margin of Defeat | Season Wins | Note |
| 2002 Steelers | 14.5 | 10 | Lost to Champs Week 1, won NFC North |
| 2002 Falcons | 2 | 9 | 6th Seed |
| 2003 Eagles | 19 | 12 | Lost to Champs Week 1, NFC 1 seed |
| 2006 Chiefs | 8 | 9 | 6th Seed |
Both the 2002 Steelers and the 2003 Eagles lost to the previous season's Super Bowl champs. Both of those teams won their divisions.
Five seasons, four teams. That's almost one per season. Each of these teams had a clear, obvious flaw that they found a way to overcome after their first two games.
In this era of salary cap-enforced parity, and in this sport where the injury report is just as large of a factor as the scouting report, the Saints have two things working in their favor: their schedule and their health. Eight of the next fourteen games are at home for the Saints, who are currently healthy. Even at 0-2, the Saints are only 1 game behind the division leaders. The Panthers were seemingly inexplicably blown out of the water by the Texans (1. yes, they have earned majuscule status. 2. we'll cross that bridge when we get there) this week; the Bucs looked good yesterday, but they still have to play the Saints in the Dome.
Next week, the Saints play the Tennessee Titans, quarterbacked by Vince Young, at home in the Dome. There aren't any "should wins" right now. But there are "can wins"; the Saints are certainly capable of beating the Titans. Then, they have the bye week before Carolina comes to town. 2 home games in 3 weeks.
10 wins in 14 games? The 2002 Steelers and 2003 Eagles did it.