Can a game in Week 2 really be a must-win?

It certainly feels that way around the Jets this week, as they face the division rival Bills on Thursday night trying to avoid an 0-2 start. The first six weeks of the Jets’ schedule is a nightmare. If they fall into a hole here, their season might be in trouble before the leaves change colors.

“There’s a sense of urgency for every game,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “It’s a division rival. We don’t want to go 0-2 for sure. No matter who we play this week there’s going to be a sense of urgency.”

The tension around the Jets was noticeable Monday. The normally even-keeled Bowles was testy with the media and refused to answer any questions about the 23-22 loss to the Bengals on Sunday. Bowles did his best Bill Belichick imitation, calling to mind Belichick’s “We’re on to Cincinnati” mantra of 2014, except in this case Bowles was off of Cincinnati.

“I told you we’ve moved onto Buffalo,” Bowles said when asked about Darrelle Revis’ play against the Bengals. “I don’t have time to go over this. We went over it as a coaching staff … and went over every play. I don’t have time to talk about it now. I’ve moved on. They’ve moved on.”

It was pointed out to Bowles that he would be spending the time in his press conference whether he was talking about the Bengals or something else. He then threatened to walk out of the press conference.

“Unless you’ve got Buffalo questions, I ain’t going to be here long,” he said.

This is the first signs of pressure Bowles has shown, but it is understandable if the second-year coach is on edge. The Jets did some things well Sunday, but made just enough mistakes to hand the Bengals a one-point win. The offense stumbled in the red zone, the defense gave up big plays and kicker Nick Folk missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked.

Now, the Jets go to Buffalo to face their former coach Rex Ryan, who also has a desperate 0-1 team. In addition, Ryan could be fighting for his job this year. Bowles is under no such pressure.

After they play the Bills, the Jets travel to play the Chiefs, get the Seahawks at home and then have road games with the Steelers and Cardinals. That is four straight against 2015 playoff teams after Thursday’s game.

Then, there is the reality of starting 0-2 in the NFL and trying to make the playoffs. Since 1990, only 26 out of 214 teams have done that (12 percent). If the Jets hope to end their five-year playoff drought, they must avoid falling into too deep of a hole.

“For what we want to accomplish this season, every game in our minds is a win-type game,” wide receiver Eric Decker said. “I wouldn’t put the pressure by saying that we have to win this game. But we have a good team. We have a good squad. We fell short, if you want to call it that, [Sunday]. Let’s see how resilient we are to bounce back and just play good football, execute and give ourselves a chance to put a mark in the win column.”

Fellow wide receiver Brandon Marshall seemed puzzled by the reaction to the Jets’ loss, saying they have nothing to worry about.

“It’s almost like the talk is our backs are against the wall. It’s Week 2. We lost by one point,” Marshall said. “We didn’t get the job done. We believe in our team. We think we’re a good team. Now, we just have to go out and prove it.”