Only four weeks of the NFL season have passed, but some fan bases may already be on the verge of giving up on their teams’ seasons.
Five winless teams remain after Week 4: the Miami Dolphins,
Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans,
Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some of these teams (i.e., the Dolphins) were expected to be bottom feeders in 2026. Others — Texans and Chargers — entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations after making the playoffs in 2025. Preseason expectations for these organizations varied, but they all share one thing: a big problem they must solve to climb out of the league’s abyss.
With that in mind, let’s identify each team’s biggest flaw and whether they can solve it. We’ll be ranking these clubs from most to least likely to salvage their seasons.
1. Texans
Biggest problem: The defense has regressed
Where has the Texans’ stingy defense gone? Entering Week 5, Houston ranks 20th in yards allowed (343.8 YPG) and is tied for 26th in points allowed (27.3 PPG) after ranking first in yards surrendered (271.9 YPG) and second in points surrendered (17.3 PPG) last season.
Attribute the slump to Houston’s secondary (260 YPG, No. 28 in the NFL). Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter have both struggled in pass coverage.
Fifth-year veteran Stingley has allowed just 11 completions on 19 targets. Still, he’s surrendering too many yards when he loses his matchups, posting a career-worst 18.4 yards per reception allowed (via Pro Football Focus). Lassiter, meanwhile, has become a penalty machine. PFF credits him with five coverage penalties, the most in the NFL.
Why the Texans can/can’t fix it
Luckily for the Texans, head coach DeMeco Ryans is one of the league’s brightest defensive minds, and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (4.5 sacks, tied for No. 3 in the NFL) remains in the early Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
That said, Ryans must get more from his secondary soon. Otherwise, his seat could grow much warmer.
2. Chargers
Biggest problem: Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel marriage is a disaster
When the Chargers hired former Dolphins HC McDaniel as OC, they thought he and QB Herbert would be a hit like Madison Beer’s “Make You Mine.” Herbert, of course, popped the question to the pop star in July. The early results, however, may convince L.A. fans to listen to Rebecca Black’s widely panned “Friday” instead of watching their offense. The Chargers rank 29th in scoring (16.8 PPG) and 24th in passing yards (185.3 YPG).
This offseason, McDaniel advised Herbert to start with his left (non-throwing) foot forward instead of his right when in the shotgun formation to release the ball faster. That may be contributing to some of his problems. The seventh-year QB has completed a career-low 59.7 percent of his passes for 816 yards, tossing four TDs and six interceptions.
Why the Chargers can/can’t fix it
Now, McDaniel turned Tua Tagovailoa (now with the Atlanta Falcons) into a Pro Bowler during his time with the Dolphins. So he should eventually deliver better results with Herbert, a more talented passer.
But will they get on the same page in time? The Chargers are already on the verge of collapsing after a horrendous start, and things won’t get any easier in the AFC West, where the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) and Denver Broncos (2-2) await twice a year. L.A. faces Denver in one of these divisional matchups on Sunday (CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET). Monitor whether the offense shows any signs of progress.
3. Buccaneers
Biggest problem: Turnover differential
The Buccaneers struggle to take care of the ball and to take it away. Tampa Bay has posted a -5 turnover differential (nine giveaways, four takeaways), tied for the second-worst mark in the league.
Starting QB Baker Mayfield committed many of these mistakes, throwing two interceptions and losing one fumble in three games. Backup QB Jalon Daniels replaced him in Week 4 after Mayfield dislocated his right thumb, which is expected to sideline him for three to six weeks. The undrafted free agent from the Kansas Jayhawks also had ball-security issues, tossing two interceptions in a 17-14 Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Why Buccaneers can/can’t fix it
Daniels may overcome this problem in a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football Game” against the Cowboys, who have created just two turnovers (both fumble recoveries) this season. And when Mayfield returns, expect the ninth-year veteran to take fewer risks to turn it over less often.
The defense, though, may not start generating takeaways immediately. Head coach Todd Bowles runs a complex base 3-4 defense. Some may say it’s too complex. Defensive line coach Marcus West seemed to imply that when he said, “The playbook is so, so huge.”
The massive playbook may be resulting in information overload, which may explain why Tampa defenders aren’t making impact plays. Perhaps Bowles should opt for a smaller, simpler playbook to get back in the NFC South race, which looks more competitive after the Carolina Panthers (2-2) and Falcons (2-2) earned prime-time wins in Week 4.
4. Titans
Biggest problem: Cam Ward-Carnell Tate connection not yet clicking
Rookie WR Tate said the Titans’ goal in 2026 was to “win more games” after going 3-14 in 2025. Guess that was too unrealistic.
The Titans are off to another dreadful start and at risk of missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season. They’ll keep tanking if second-year QB Ward and Tate don’t develop better chemistry.
Ward (6.1 yards per attempt, No. 25 in NFL) has hesitated to push the ball downfield, limiting Tate’s impact. The fourth pick of the 2026 NFL Draft is averaging just 67 receiving yards per game.
Why Titans can/can’t fix it
Now, exercise patience with Ward and Tate before declaring either a bust. It takes time to become an explosive passing tandem, especially in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s system. Daboll’s scheme relies heavily on option routes, a pass pattern where the pass-catcher adjusts his route based on the defenders instead of running a fixed path. This often forces QBs and pass-catchers into mental gymnastics.
After Tate logged a career-high 145 receiving yards in a 24-18 Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, expect the QB-WR duo to begin improving. However, it won’t progress enough to launch the Titans back into postseason contention.
5. Dolphins
Biggest problem: Run game failing to meet expectations
Dolphins rookie head coach Jeff Hafley said they were planning to give running back De’Von Achane 40-45 touches per game. So much for that plan.
Achane suffered a season-ending ACL tear in a 24-10 Week 3 loss to the Chiefs, and Miami hasn’t found a viable replacement. Ollie Gordon II has assumed RB1 duties, but he’s averaging just 37 rushing yards per game.
QB Malik Willis, meanwhile, is struggling to live up to his three-year, $67.5M contract. He has thrown one TD pass and two interceptions in four games.
Why Dolphins can/can’t fix it
Willis, 27, may improve gradually over the season, but this team should be looking ahead to 2027. A team with a rookie HC and a struggling QB stands little chance of competing with the Buffalo Bills (3-1) or New England Patriots (2-2) for an AFC East title.
At least, tanking could pay off. If Miami lands the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft (scheduled April 29-May 1 in Washington), it could take Ohio State Buckeyes junior WR Jeremiah Smith, a generational prospect.