Four weeks are officially in the books, and some of these teams are running out of excuses.
We were told not to overreact after Week 1. Then we heard the same thing after Week 2. By Week 3, the trends were becoming harder to ignore.
Now, we have four games of information.
That still doesn’t mean we know exactly how the season will play out. But some teams are making it pretty difficult to stay optimistic.
Honestly, so many teams are struggling right now that I could probably write an entire article just about the NFL’s problems.
So, unfortunately for some fanbases, there is plenty to talk about.
With that in mind, it’s time to break out the NFL Panic Meter once again, this time with a new 6/6 to show just how worried fans should be about their teams.
6/6 — Full-blown panic. Someone needs to answer some questions.
5/5 — Sound the alarms.
4/5 — Serious concerns.
3/5 — Keep an eye on it.
2/5 — Not great, but relax.
1/5 — Probably nothing to worry about.
Here are the teams I am concerned about following Week 4.
NFL Panic Meter – Week 4
Los Angeles Chargers – Panic Meter: 6/6
I don’t know what else we can say about the Los Angeles Chargers at this point.
They’re 0-4, the offense is struggling, the offensive line is falling apart, and the defense has taken a major step backward.
Justin Herbert also hasn’t looked comfortable in Mike McDaniels’ offense.
The Chargers lost 30-23 to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, dropping to 0-4. That alone would be enough to put them on the panic meter, but the injuries are making things even worse.
Rashawn Slater is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury, while Joe Alt also left Sunday’s game with a neck injury. The Chargers already had problems along the offensive line, so losing both tackles is a brutal blow.
Herbert has now thrown four touchdowns and six interceptions while being sacked 12 times this season. His 59.7 percent completion rate also ranks near the bottom of the league.
Then there’s the defense. Los Angeles lost defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in the offseason, and the unit has taken a noticeable step backward since then. The Chargers are also among the league leaders in penalties, with 38 through four games.
There are simply too many problems piling up at once.
The Chargers still have plenty of talent, but none of it is coming together right now.
At 0-4, this is no longer just a slow start. Los Angeles needs answers quickly.
Panic Meter: 6/6
Houston Texans – Panic Meter: 6/6
Remember when the Houston Texans had one of the best defenses in the NFL?
It wasn’t that long ago.
Now, that same defense is one of the biggest reasons Houston is 0-4.
The Texans lost 34-30 to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, blowing another chance to finally get into the win column.
Houston’s defense ranked among the league’s best last season. Now, it’s near the bottom of the league in both passing yards allowed and points allowed per game.
That’s a massive decline.
The offense isn’t much better. Houston is near the bottom of the NFL in rushing yards per game, while the offensive line has arguably been one of the worst units in football.
The Texans have scored just 54 points through four games while allowing 75.
At some point, we have to stop saying the Texans just need to make a few adjustments. They’ve had four weeks to do that, and things haven’t improved.
Houston entered the season with legitimate playoff expectations. Instead, it’s 0-4 and already trying to climb out of a major hole in the AFC.
The defense needs to find its form, the offensive line needs to improve, and someone needs to figure out how this offense is supposed to consistently move the football.
Houston was at 3/5 after Week 3.
That feels like a lifetime ago.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Panic Meter: 4/5
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were already in trouble.
Now they’re 0-4.
Tampa Bay lost 17-14 to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 and is now dealing with even more uncertainty at quarterback.
Baker Mayfield is expected to miss up to six weeks with a thumb injury, leaving Jalon Daniels to take over. Daniels showed some flashes against Green Bay, but he also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.
The Buccaneers have now allowed 16 sacks through four games.
Turnovers are another concern. Tampa Bay has committed nine, which is one of the higher totals in the league.
The defense hasn’t been much better when it comes to getting after the quarterback, generating just six sacks.
Still, there is a path forward.
Daniels showed enough to give Tampa Bay some hope, and the defense hasn’t been nearly as bad as some of the other struggling teams on this list.
If the defense can keep games close and Daniels avoids the costly mistakes, the Bucs have a chance to turn things around.
But at 0-4, that margin for error is getting very small.
Panic Meter: 4/5
Philadelphia Eagles – Panic Meter: 4/5
The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-2.
That might make a 4/5 panic rating seem dramatic.
It isn’t.
The offense has become one of the biggest talking points in the NFL, and not for the right reasons. The play-calling has been questioned, Jalen Hurts has been questioned, and the identity of the offense is once again being debated.
Philadelphia scored just 20 points in its Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and went 0-for-12 on third down. Hurts completed only 12 of 27 passes for 93 yards.
The bigger concern is that this wasn’t just one bad game.
The Eagles are averaging 160.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. The defense has also been playing below expectations.
There is some context, though. Philadelphia has been hit hard by injuries, with DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and multiple offensive linemen currently dealing with injuries..
That makes it difficult to fairly judge the offense.
Still, the Eagles are supposed to be one of the better teams in the NFC. At 2-2, the season is far from over, but there is plenty of reason to wonder what this offense is going to look like moving forward.
Panic Meter: 4/5
Detroit Lions – Panic Meter: 3/5
The Detroit Lions might have one of the strangest problems in the NFL right now.
Their offense has enough talent to keep them competitive. Their defense is a completely different story.
Detroit gave up 32 points to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 and is now 2-2.
The numbers are ugly. The Lions are allowing 304 passing yards, 446.8 total yards, and 31.8 points per game.
The secondary has been particularly concerning, and Detroit is missing two of its biggest pieces at safety.
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both working their way back. Branch is reportedly nearing a return, while Joseph remains on the physically unable to perform list.
That’s the biggest reason I’m not putting Detroit any higher on the panic meter.
There is still plenty of talent on this roster. Jahmyr Gibbs has been incredible, averaging 102 rushing yards per game, and the offense remains capable of putting up points.
The defense, however, can’t keep giving up this many yards.
Detroit has enough talent to fix the problem, but getting Branch and Joseph back sooner rather than later would certainly help.
Panic Meter: 3/5
Main Image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
