The NFC looks to be more unsettled than expected after five of last year’s six playoff teams lost in the first week of the 2005 season. The Panthers, a team many picked as a leading candidate to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, lost as well. The NFC’s contenders approach Sunday’s contests with one goal in mind: avoiding a perilous 0-2 start. A total of 83 teams have started 0-2 in the past decade; only nine made the playoffs, and just five won their division.

VIKINGS (0-1) AT BENGALS (1-0)
(Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)

Fans spent the off-season asking if the Vikings could survive the loss of wide receiver Randy Moss. But in Minnesota’s first week loss to Tampa Bay, the missing piece was clearly center Matt Birk, who is out for the season after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. Replacement Cory Withrow was completely unable to stop Tampa defenders from broaching the two A-gaps on either side of the center position, and the Minnesota running backs combined for just 14 yards on the ground. Poor pass protection also contributed to four Daunte Culpepper turnovers.

But Tampa Bay features a strong front seven on defense, something the Bengals seemed to lack entering the season. The Bengals allowed the Browns to average of 5.3 yards per carry last week, but they did manage to stop Cleveland when it counted, allowing just two first downs on the ground. The Vikings bring a much stronger running game than do the Browns, so Cincinnati’s defense front will be tested yet again.

The Vikings’ rebuilt defense provided the team with its only points last week, but 97 yards receiving by Tampa’s Joey Galloway demonstrated a weakness against second receivers that could be easily exploited by Cincinnati’s talented second banana, T.J. Houshmanzadeh.

PATRIOTS (1-0) AT PANTHERS (0-1)
(Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)

Two weeks ago, this game looked like the year’s first candidate for that popular appellation: “Super Bowl Preview.” But while the Patriots put on their usual winning performance against Oakland, the Panthers were shocked at home by the nomadic New Orleans Saints, leading some to wonder if they are more hype than substance. Carolina’s vaunted defensive line produced just one sack, while their supposedly revitalized offense proved mistake prone and too reliant on receiver Steve Smith.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick usually builds his game plan around the opponent’s most obvious flaws rather than his own team’s strengths. Last week, Belichick repeatedly targeted Oakland rookie cornerback Stanford Routtby with passes to receiver Troy Brown. This week, Belichick is likely to go after Carolina rookie safety Thomas Davis. Against New Orleans, Davis primarily covered tight end Ernie Conwell, who caught all six of the passes thrown in his direction for 71 yards and five first downs. Look for the Patriots to pick on Davis with numerous passes to tight ends Ben Watson and Daniel Graham.

The worst news for the Panthers was the loss of Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who tore his ACL against the Saints and will miss his second straight season to injury. Despite the loss of Jenkins, however, the Panthers were able to hold Deuce McAllister to 2.5 yards per carry. This conveniently matches the one problem New England had on opening night: running back Corey Dillon was held to just 2.7 yards per run against Oakland. With adequate depth behind Jenkins (Jordan Carstens and Kindell Moorehead will replace him),the Panthers should slow — if not stop – the Pats’ rushing game.

But slowing Dillon won’t be enough. After allowing Aaron Brooks to complete 75% of his passes last week, Carolina’s secondary must tighten up on Brady. They must also cultivate a receiver to complement Smith. No one beats the Patriots with a one-dimensional offense.

FALCONS (1-0) AT SEAHAWKS (0-1)
(Sunday, 4 p.m. FOX)

They were the only one of last year’s NFC playoff teams to start 1-0, but the Falcons’ 14-10 Week 1 win over Philadelphia was less impressive than it might seem. The popular storyline was “Michael Vick beats Donovan McNabb,” but Vick played poorly except for a few highlight plays. Instead, just as they did throughout last year, the Falcons won with a lot of defense and a little bit of luck (Philadelphia’s David Akers, normally the NFL’s best kicker, missed two field goals).

The Falcons’ defense shut the Eagles down by bottling up the running game and blitzing on second- or third-and-long. A solid front four (led by defensive end Patrick Kerney) occupied blockers, allowing new middle linebacker Ed Hartwell to shut down Brian Westbrook. Shaun Alexander, a tough interior runner, will be more of a handful than Westbrook.

The Seahawks struggled on third downs in their loss to the Jaguars, but turnovers and defensive lapses were larger problems: Seattle turned the ball over five times, and their secondary was perplexed by Jimmy Smith’s double moves and the trick-play antics of rookie receiver Matt Jones.

Hasselbeck’s miscues earned him a skull session with coach Mike Holmgren, but the Seahawks offensive line must do a better job of protecting him. Blitz pickup was a constant problem against the Jaguars. If Jim Mora Jr. wasn’t afraid to send extra pass rushers against McNabb, he won’t hesitate to bring heat against the less-mobile Hasselbeck.

The X-factor in this game is jet lag. The Falcons had to fly from Atlanta to Seattle after a tough Monday night game, and the long trip and short week of practice could ice Mora’s hopes of a 2-0 start.

Mr. Schatz is the editor in chief of FootballOutsiders.com.