We’re already through three weeks of the 2026 NFL season, meaning we have a big enough sample size to begin to panic about some underperforming teams and players around the league. Let’s rank them on the panic meter, starting with the most disappointing team of all.
Panic meter rating: 11/10
No, that isn’t a typo. The Chargers have already broken the panic meter three games into the season. Needing a win in Week 3 to avoid a 0-3 start, the Chargers forced five turnovers against the Buffalo Bills and still found a way to lose, 24-16.
According to Evan Abrams of Action Network, it marked just the third time since 2013 that a team with five forced turnovers and a +4 turnover margin lost the game. Previous teams in that scenario were 81-3-1.
Los Angeles has scored only 44 points through three weeks, and its next six games come against the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. This team isn’t making the playoffs.
Panic meter rating: 5.5/10
Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and nearly won the NFL MVP last season, but he’s been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Through three games, he has only 585 passing yards, six interceptions, two fumbles and only one touchdown. The advanced stats are just as bad.