The early-week NFL buzz has turned into a pile of hard questions for a few teams that were supposed to look a lot better by now. Los Angeles is a mess in more than one place, the Titans have gone nowhere with Cam Ward, and the NFC East suddenly looks a lot less intimidating than it did a month ago.
The biggest letdown may be the Rams, the team plenty of people were already handing a Super Bowl spot in August. Instead, Los Angeles sits at 2-4 and is staring at a season that has already gotten uncomfortable.
The offense is still strong, but the special teams remain a problem, and the defense sits in the middle of the league in total EPA. That combination has left the Rams searching for answers in tight games.
Matthew Stafford and the offense have to start turning close contests into wins, because this group was supposed to be more imposing than this. Dropping a game to the Arizona Cardinals is a bad look on the 2026 season resume.
Tennessee isn’t giving anyone much reason for optimism either. Cam Ward was supposed to make a jump in Year 2 after the Titans brought in Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, drafted Carnell Tate, and added former Giants wideout Wandale Robinson.
Instead, the offense is only scoring 14.9 points per game. Tennessee ranks 30th in EPA/Play and 29th in EPA/Pass, and the article raises the question of whether the team is going to end up tanking for Jerimaeh Smith from Ohio State.
The Chargers were supposed to have some juice on offense after the arrival of Mike McDaniel on the staff as offensive coordinator. That buzz has not translated on the field.
Justin Herbert has not looked good, and now the team is considering a pivot to Adam Gase as its new guy. Omarion Hampton drew attention because McDaniel has a strong track record with running backs, but the results haven’t followed.
Jim Harbaugh’s seat is getting hotter, and with one of the league’s toughest schedules ahead, the Chargers may have to think seriously about a coaching change if the losses keep piling up. This is the first time they have started 0-6 since 2000, and their quarterback was Jim Harbaugh.
Then there’s the NFC East, which has gone winless over the last two weeks and is sliding fast. Jalen Hurts is out for the season with a blood clot.
The Commanders have problems with Dan Quinn and can’t stay healthy. The Cowboys have a lot of money tied up in their defense and still can’t get stops.
The Giants are still wrestling with quarterback issues, and they also need to sort out their run defense.
There’s even a real possibility that Dan Quinn (WAS), Nick Sirianni (PHI), and Brian Schotenhiemer (DAL) could all be out of jobs before the season ends.
In Other News...
Chargers Trade Debate Comes Down To Helping Justin Herbert One Way
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Chargers are weighing whether a modest move could make a real difference around Justin Herbert. The front office is looking at affordable additions who might help both the depth chart and the passing game, with names such as Malik Herring, Dylan Cook, Calvin Ridley and others surfacing as possible fits if the price stays in late-round pick territory.
Jerry Jeudy has come up as one receiver option who could be available at a low cost, which would at least give the Chargers another layer of playmaking if they choose to lean that direction. Austin Jackson is another name being floated as a possible tackle target if Miami decides to sell, and that is the kind of practical, health-of-the-roster question Los Angeles has to answer before time runs out. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Winless Start Puts Omarion Hampton Decision Under Fire
A winless start tends to put every personnel decision under a microscope, and Omarion Hampton has already found himself at the center of that conversation. With the Chargers trying to steady themselves early, the usage of the rookie running back has drawn attention, especially as the offense looks for answers and consistency around its backfield rotation.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said the approach has been driven by game situations rather than any larger shift in how the staff views Hampton. The discussion around his playing time has only sharpened because of how the Chargers have been handling key snaps in the backfield, making it another small but telling sign of how much scrutiny comes with an 0- start. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Could Still Move An Unexpected Veteran Before The Deadline
The Chargers are still being cast as one of the leagues more interesting teams to watch before the deadline, not just because of what they might do, but because of the kind of veterans who could be in play. With the club holding the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, theres plenty of curiosity around whether it will turn established players into help for someone else, and veteran cornerback Donte Jackson has emerged as one name worth monitoring along with bigger names such as Khalil Mack, Quentin Johnston and David Njoku.
Jacksons situation is especially notable because of his expiring contract and the ballhawking ability he has shown in the past, which can make a corner appealing to a contender looking for immediate help. The injury piece complicates things, though, since a hamstring issue has limited him to four games this season and leaves his availability and value as the deadline approaches very much in question. [Read more 🡒]