by Alex Marvez

Thirty years after the release of "Animal House," John "Bluto" Blutarsky's lines still ring true when applied to the NFL. All is not lost for the 10 teams that have opened the season 0-2.

The defending Super Bowl champions are proof. The New York Giants were winless at this point last year.

"Even when we were 0-2, our confidence was high," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck told New York media this week. "It just gets to the point where you start taking in confidence and making it a kind of cockiness."

But first things first, like winning a game. Here is a look at which teams are most likely to rebound and why:

1. San Diego

Why the 0-2 start? The Chargers could easily be unbeaten right now, suffering last-second defeats to Carolina and Denver by a combined total of three points. While referee Ed Hochuli is being scapegoated for his blown call, San Diego's shoddy pass defense played just as large a role in last Sunday's 39-38 loss to the Broncos.

Reason for optimism: The Chargers know how to overcome slow starts, rebounding from last year's 1-3 record to reach the AFC Championship Game. Even without Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman, San Diego still has one of the NFL's most talented rosters. There's also plenty of offensive firepower, although that could change if running back LaDainian Tomlinson's toe injury lingers.

Player to watch: Outside linebacker Jyles Tucker. The Chargers signed Tucker to a five-year, $14.7 million contract extension during the preseason — a stunning payday for an undrafted second-year player who has appeared in only six NFL games. With Merriman out for the season, Tucker must now show he's worth the cash. The blitz-heavy Chargers have only two sacks and need the emergence of a pass-rusher who can draw double teams.

2. Jacksonville

Why the 0-2 start? Jacksonville's vaunted running game was derailed when starting guards Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams suffered season-ending injuries in the opener against Tennessee. Quarterback David Garrard already has as many interceptions (three) as he did all of last season.

Reason for optimism: The Jaguars could make a mid-season run if able to weather a rough stretch that includes games against Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Denver in the next four weeks. Five of the six teams Jacksonville plays after its Oct. 19 bye are currently winless.

Player to watch: Wide receiver Jerry Porter. Jacksonville signed Porter to a six-year, $30 million contract this offseason hoping he would add a deep threat to the passing game. Instead, Porter has battled a serious hamstring problem that may sideline him for a third consecutive game Sunday against Indianapolis. The Jaguars need Porter and/or fellow injured wideout Troy Williamson to return and help alleviate some of the pressure on Jacksonville's ground attack.

3. Seattle

Why the 0-2 start? Injuries have decimated the offense, especially at wide receiver. But the Seahawks defense hasn't lived up to preseason expectations. Seattle has forced just one turnover and is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 63.5 percent of their passes.

Reason for optimism: Starting wideouts Deion Branch and Bobby Engram should return after next week's bye. The Seahawks play in what is considered the NFL's weakest division and usually enjoy a marked home-field advantage, although even that didn't help in last Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to lowly San Francisco.

Player to watch: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He has led Seattle to four consecutive NFC West titles, but Hasselbeck will need to shoulder an even heavier load for a fifth crown. Hasselbeck's awful statistics — 45.5 completion percentage, three interceptions and six sacks — reflect his team's offensive disarray.

4. Minnesota

Why the 0-2 start? Tarvaris Jackson. His inability to make plays in the passing game have led Vikings coach Brad Childress — Jackson's staunchest supporter — to name journeyman Gus Frerotte his new starting quarterback.

Reason for optimism: The Vikings have a playoff-caliber defense, especially when it comes to stopping the run. Minnesota could have won close games against Green Bay and Indianapolis with a little more offensive production, which is what Childress hopes Frerotte provides. Running back Adrian Peterson also can dominate, but his ongoing health problems are a growing concern. Peterson may not play Sunday against Carolina (2-0) because of a sore hamstring.

Player to watch: Frerotte. In 15 NFL seasons, Frerotte has completed more than 60 percent of his passes in only two of them. Plus, he's 38 years old. The Vikings may ultimately regret putting so much faith in Jackson and not doing more to bolster the quarterback position during the offseason.

5. Cleveland

Why the 0-2 start? The Browns opened against two of the NFL's best teams in Dallas and Pittsburgh, but that's no excuse for their home losses. Cleveland's pass rush is sorely lacking, which has exposed a young secondary. The offense also is sputtering with Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps) out and fellow wide receiver Braylon Edwards dropping more passes than he has caught (five).

Reason for optimism: The Browns play winnable road games the next two weeks at Baltimore (1-1) and Cincinnati (0-2) before their bye. Cleveland also has enough offensive talent to get on a roll if the passing game can start clicking.

Player to watch: Outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley. The Browns expected Wimbley to recapture the magic of his 11-sack rookie campaign in 2006. Instead, he has yet to reach the quarterback and doesn't command double teams. If Wimbley doesn't start to produce, outside linebacker should become Cleveland's top offseason priority in 2009.

6. Detroit

Why the 0-2 start? There's plenty of blame to go around. The defense was horrendous in an opening loss to Atlanta, while Green Bay returned two Jon Kitna interceptions for touchdowns last Sunday to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit.

Reason for optimism: Detroit has a winnable match-up Sunday at San Francisco. If the Lions end their five-game road losing streak, Detroit coach Rod Marinelli can spend his bye week focused on trying to fix a leaky defense rather than worrying about slumping morale on a team that hasn't reached the playoffs since 1999.

Player to watch: Kitna. He has argued with coaches on the sidelines about the offense and may have lost face with teammates when making no effort to tackle Packers safety Nick Collins on an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Should the losing continue, the Lions could give Drew Stanton a shot to see if he is a viable quarterbacking option for 2009.

7. Cincinnati

Why the 0-2 start? For a change, defense isn't Cincinnati's biggest problem. Carson Palmer has completed just 49 percent of his passes with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Palmer has yet to get into a rhythm with wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco, who missed most of the preseason with injuries. Spotty offensive line play hasn't helped.

Reason for optimism: The defense is improved from 2007 and the Bengals have too much offensive talent to continue playing this poorly.

Player to watch: Ocho Cinco. To his credit, the eccentric player formerly known as Chad Johnson has bitten his tongue during what appears another lost season in Cincinnati. But if the defeats keep mounting, Ocho Cinco could begin publicly expressing his frustration again. That would make a bad situation even worse.

8. Miami

Why the 0-2 start? Bill Parcells couldn't fix everything wrong with the Dolphins in just one season. Miami has the NFL's worst wide receiver corps and a poor pass defense that was embarrassed when Arizona's Kurt Warner posted a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating in last Sunday's 31-10 Cardinals victory.

Reason for optimism: The Dolphins should improve as an overhauled roster builds cohesion. More than half of Miami's players weren't on the roster in 2007, including 11 rookies.

Player to watch: Quarterback Chad Henne. This 2008 second-round draft pick didn't have to wait long for NFL action, debuting in the fourth quarter against Arizona. While Chad Pennington should continue starting for the short term, Henne has the chance to assume the role by season's end.

9. Kansas City

Why the 0-2 start? Two games, two different starting quarterbacks — and the carousel will continue to spin Sunday when Tyler Thigpen starts at Atlanta. The Chiefs have scored just 18 points and rushed for 157 yards. In comparison, Oakland running back Darren McFadden gained 164 yards in last Sunday's 23-8 Chiefs loss.

Reason for optimism: Growing pains were expected during what the Chiefs have admitted is a rebuilding process. The hope is the experience gained by Kansas City's 24 rookies and second-year players will pay dividends in the future.

Player to watch: Quarterback Brodie Croyle. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said Croyle will return as a starter when he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in the opener against New England. Croyle's play will go a long way toward determining whether Kansas City pursues another quarterback during the offseason.

10. St. Louis

Why the 0-2 start? The Rams were outscored by an NFL-high 63 points during blowout losses to Philadelphia and the New York Giants. St. Louis also ranks last in both offensive and defensive production.

Reason for optimism: The in-season firing of Scott Linehan would be a start for some Rams fans and even players he has rubbed the wrong way. With a 3-15 record in his past 18 games, Linehan needs to win one of his next two contests against Seattle or Buffalo. Otherwise, Linehan may get replaced by one of his coordinators (Jim Haslett or Al Saunders) during the Rams' bye week.

Player to watch: Defensive end Chris Long. The 2008 draft's second overall pick, Long at least provides hope for the future. Long should have the chance to make more plays once fading 33-year-old defensive end Leonard Little returns from a hamstring injury.