Pivotal week in NFL

CHICAGO – Four NFC playoff teams – the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – are in danger of dropping to 0-2, which means deep trouble in the NFL.

Only one team in the last three years has rebounded from 0-2 to make the playoffs. That was the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles.

By losing home openers, the Giants, Redskins, Panthers and Bucs put themselves into particularly tight positions on the road this week.

The Giants go to Philadelphia, the Redskins to Dallas, the Panthers to Minnesota and the Bucs to Atlanta, so 0-2 starts are quite possible.

With the Cowboys also 0-1, the Redskins-Cowboys game is an important early showdown. The Redskins beat the Cowboys out of a wild-card spot last year by beating them twice, including a 14-13 squeaker in Dallas in the second week of the season.

The Eagles are eager to rebound from their last-place finish in the NFC East. After four straight division titles, they were replaced by the Giants, who beat them twice.

The Panthers’ loss at home to Atlanta was a shock even though Carolina played without injured receiver Steve Smith, as they will this week. Picked by many to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, the Panthers now travel to Minnesota, where the Vikings are buoyed after their huge victory in Washington in coach Brad Childress’ debut.

The Panthers couldn’t get into the end zone without Smith, no stunning surprise, and if his sore hamstring muscles don’t come around soon, you can kiss the Panthers goodbye. Fortunes turn quickly in the NFL.

The Bucs were shut out by the Baltimore Ravens and now go to Atlanta, not the friendliest environment for young quarterback Chris Simms to find himself in a shootout against Michael Vick.

There were 11 teams that lost openers at home. Only Green Bay gets to try again at home this week. Every other first-week loser is on the road.