We have reached the portion in the NFL schedule where there are fans from certain cities who either have a bloated sense of hope and confidence for where their 2-0 team is headed or are far too panicked about their team’s 0-2 start.
The vibe from the cities of the 2-0 teams always are the most fun, because regardless of how modest preseason expectations might have been, most following the 2-0 teams suddenly believe their squads are headed straight to the Super Bowl.
Bill Parcells, sage that he was as a coach and is as an analyst, always has cautiously and cynically said of the 2-0 teams with an inflated sense of how good they are: “Tell me what their record is when we get to late November or December.’’
Invariably, Parcells’ predictions would pan out and a number of those 2-0 teams were long out of the playoff race by Christmas shopping season and some of the 0-2 teams rallied to contend.
Here’s a look at the 2-0 and 0-2 teams and where they may be headed:
* The Texans, who are 2-0 an atop the AFC South, are far from done winning games and will run away with the division title for two reasons: They are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and the rest of their division might not produce a team over .500.
* The Chargers, 2-0 and leading the AFC West, will stay on the winning course for similar reasons to the Texans — they’re better than any of the weaker teams in the division and have a very good quarterback in Philip Rivers. The Broncos, with Peyton Manning, are the only team that poses a threat.
* The 2-0 Eagles are an enigma, because they are talented but have won both games by a single point — while committing nine turnovers. They will make the playoffs if Michael Vick stays healthy, but the division will be a dog fight with the Giants and Cowboys.
* The 2-0 Falcons will make the playoffs because they are the best of a weak division other than the Saints, who are a mystery with all of the calamity that has ensured from the bounty punishments.
* In the NFC West, the 2-0 49ers, maybe the best in the NFC because of their defense and depth, will ride into the postseason while the 2-0 Cardinals will struggle to earn a wild card.
* In the case of the 0-2 teams this year, this appears to be one of those years when most will not dig out from the hole.
The Saints — who still have Drew Brees, a lot of talent around him and some players and coaches returning after serving bounty time — likely are the only team among the winless who will make a run at the playoffs.
Among the others — the Chiefs, Raiders, Browns, Jaguars and Titans — it’s difficult to see any of them with enough firepower to overcome the early-season deficit. Whatever angst their fans feel as Week 3 approaches, is warranted.
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com