As the first quarter of the NFL season nears completion, desperation has started to rise for teams that have stumbled out of the gates.
Half of the teams own losing records through three weeks, and six of those squads have yet to post their first victory. Among the teams that find themselves in these undesirable circumstances are 2024 playoff squads such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos (all 1-2) and the Houston Texans (0-3). Another projected contender, the Dallas Cowboys, also owns a 1-2 mark.
The Chiefs and Ravens meet this week in Kansas City for what will rank among the most high-pressure early-season games in recent history. By the end of that contest, one of these perennial members of the AFC elite will own a 1-3 record.
At 1-2, teams such as Kansas City, Baltimore and Denver have already dug themselves into a hole. Rebounding from such a start to reach the playoffs isn’t impossible. However, since 1990, only 24.9 percent of teams (93 of 374) that have opened the year at 1-2 have gone on to reach the playoffs. And only four out of 165 teams (2.4 percent) to start 0-3 have rebounded to advance to the postseason. Meanwhile, only 35 teams have come back from 1-3 starts to reach the playoffs.
So, is it time to panic yet?
We’re taking a look at these 16 struggling teams and examining whether they, along with their fans, should take a deep breath and keep the faith, hit the panic button or abandon all hope.
Keep the faithKansas City Chiefs (1-2)
We’re not accustomed to seeing the Chiefs disjointed, plagued by miscommunications and lacking explosiveness. The front office invested in the offensive line this offseason, however, Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid continue to wait for improvement. Mahomes has had to get rid of the ball more quickly, and shots downfield have been ineffective. Meanwhile, injury, suspension and age have also robbed the Chiefs of the potency they once enjoyed at the skill positions.
The second half of Sunday’s win over the Giants seemed to reflect some improvement out of the offense. Was that a get-right game? The Chiefs need it to have been because this week they host the Ravens, who have plenty of motivation to rebound after gutting losses to Buffalo and Detroit. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Kansas City, which opened the 2021 season 1-2 before eventually finishing 12-5. The healthy return of wide receiver Xavier Worthy and fellow wideout Rashee Rice’s Week 7 return from a six-game suspension will help, and if the young left side of their offensive line (rookie tackle Josh Simmons, second-year guard Kingsley Suamataia) steadily improves, the Chiefs have hope. The playoffs remain a realistic goal. But chances for a top seed and homefield advantage seem bleak.
Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
The Ravens lead the NFL in scoring (37.0 ppg). But their defense can’t stop anybody, yielding a league-high 415 yards per game and 32 points per contest (second most). The Ravens have also managed only two takeaways. Couple those struggles with two back-breaking fourth-quarter fumbles by Derrick Henry against Buffalo and Detroit and the 1-2 record makes sense.
The Ravens badly missed injured top defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and edge rusher Kyle Van Noy against Detroit. They’ll need other defenders to shoulder larger loads in their absences. Fortunately for Baltimore, things in the AFC North are also unstable elsewhere. Cincinnati will be without Joe Burrow for much of the season. Cleveland is limited by shaky quarterback play, and the Steelers are inconsistent.
If Henry can cure his sudden fumblitis and if the defense can start getting some key stops, the Ravens have winnable games ahead (three straight home games: Texans, Rams, Bears, and a road trip to Miami) and could improve their positioning by the midpoint of the season.
Denver Broncos (1-2)
Given the fast start by the AFC West rival Chargers and the struggles (rather than Year 2 growth) exhibited by quarterback Bo Nix in losses to Indianapolis and the Chargers, panic feels justified. However, it’s a long season, and Sean Payton teams have a habit of starting slow. Fortunately for the Broncos, they have a solid defense.
Payton can help Nix, who has missed badly on key throws, by scaling back some of his workload. Yes, Nix delivered a strong finish to his rookie season, but he is still young, and defensive coordinators better understand his weaknesses. A greater emphasis on the run game would ensure balance, which would likely translate into improved effectiveness. Denver could capitalize on a date with the beleaguered Bengals this week before a tough matchup in Philadelphia and then has a less daunting stretch (home versus the Jets, Giants, Cowboys and a trip to Houston) ahead.
Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Entering the season, the Browns didn’t necessarily have the look of a contender given the instability at quarterback (aging Joe Flacco, unproven Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders). But as they showed last week when they shocked the Green Bay Packers, the Browns are a scrappy bunch led by a dominant defensive front. They got blown out by Baltimore, but should have beaten Cincinnati and would be 2-1.
Are they going to go on a deep playoff run? Not likely. But given Cincinnati’s misfortunes, Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies and Baltimore’s slow start, the Browns have a chance to make things interesting. Detroit looks daunting this week, but Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Miami and New England are all beatable and Cleveland has a chance to enter Week 9 with a positive record.
After the Browns’ upset of the Packers, the path toward an interesting season is there. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)Carolina Panthers (1-2)
After a troubling start to the season, Bryce Young displayed improvement in Week 2 and then threw with even greater accuracy in Week 3’s blowout win over the Falcons. Meanwhile, the Panthers enjoyed a truly dominant performance from their defense. Yes, this all-around outstanding day came against a disjointed Falcons team, but a win’s a win, and there were indeed signs of improvement.
Carolina remains limited. There are pass protection issues to shore up, and young players must continue to grow into roles on both sides of the ball. But realistically, this season is about continuing to build and learning how to compete in this league.
Chicago Bears (1-2)
OK, so realistic expectations are important. The Bears aren’t going to contend for a Super Bowl this season and never were. Ben Johnson is a great football mind, but he’s no miracle worker. Realistic goals for Chicago involve growth from second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, the rest of the players finding comfort in entirely new systems on offense and defense and the laying of a foundation that can serve as a springboard toward contention within the division next season.
The Bears had two painful outings to open the season, but then delivered an encouraging performance against Dallas and earned their first win. Williams finally looked the part, and the defensive players executed more effectively, signaling they’re starting to grasp Dennis Allen’s system. Now, can they build on it?
New England Patriots (1-2)
Mike Vrabel’s reclamation project of his former team is certainly going to take some time. There’s a lot of youth on this team, and there are still talent deficiencies as well. However, the Patriots are at least competing. They’ve been in every game, and that matters. Drake Maye is showing signs of development at quarterback while developing chemistry with his receivers. If Vrabel can get his players to take care of the ball and cut down on penalties (they have the fourth most), some of these close defeats could turn into narrow victories.
PanicHouston Texans (0-3)
Despite back-to-back AFC South titles and a playoff win last season, the Texans realized they needed to upgrade their offensive line to provide prized quarterback C.J. Stroud better protection. Veteran additions included tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown and guard Laken Tomlinson. The team also drafted Aireontae Ersery. These moves came after the team traded Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington to free up cap space.
The moves haven’t paid off. Brown didn’t make the team. Robinson has started just one game. Ersery has taken his lumps. Stroud is still running for his life. Attempts to upgrade the wide receiving unit also have yet to pan out, Houston’s rushing attack is pedestrian and the Texans’ three losses have come by a combined 13 points. Feeling the pressure, Stroud has started forcing things after doing such a great job of taking care of the ball as a rookie. Meanwhile, the Colts and Jaguars have improved within the division. There’s no quick fix for the issues that plague the Texans.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Shipping off Micah Parsons to start the season was bad enough. The ragtag bunch charged with collectively filling his massive shoes have yet to deliver consistently. Dallas can’t stop the run, and the Cowboys look just as inept in their secondary. Defensive struggles expound the pressure on the offense to carry this team. But extended injury absences for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and starting right guard Tyler Booker mean Dak Prescott will have to shoulder an even more massive load. Returning to the playoffs under the direction of a first-year head coach and relatively inexperienced coaching staff already seemed challenging, but given the disarray of the defense and injuries plaguing the offense, Dallas’ chances of contending appear shot.
Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
It’s one thing to lose to lowly Carolina. But a 30-burger shutout? Hit. The. Button. There’s no shame in a 23-20 loss to four-time NFC South winner Tampa Bay to open the season, but the Falcons can’t lose like that to Carolina. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has completed just 58.6 percent of his passes (sixth worst in the league) and Raheem Morris’ team has scored just one touchdown in its last 23 possessions. This week, Morris fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, but it’ll take much more than that to solve the inconsistencies and lack of an identity that have limited this team. In time, Penix may wind up being a fine quarterback, but the Falcons would be wise to consider a permanent switch to Kirk Cousins to help their offense get back on track and to avoid falling further behind Tampa Bay.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Since their Week 1 victory over New England, the Raiders have regressed. First came a turnover-filled 20-9 loss to the Chargers, and then an absolute debacle in Washington, where the Commanders didn’t even have Jayden Daniels. The offense hasn’t produced at the clip the Raiders expected Chip Kelly and Geno Smith would lead them towards. The offensive line and run game are sluggish. The run defense is atrocious and special teams units have also played poorly.
Miami Dolphins (0-3)
The Dolphins already reached panic mode when they held a players-only meeting after their Week 1 loss. And two weeks later, players said that coach Mike McDaniel, who has drawn criticism for being too lax, ran the team with a sense of urgency and praised his leadership despite losing 31-21 to Buffalo. McDaniel must continue to coach as if his career depends on it and demand excellence out of his players during preparation. This stretch ahead (vs. Jets, at Carolina, vs. Chargers, at Cleveland, at Atlanta) offers a prime opportunity for Miami to scratch and claw its way back to respectability before the Week 9 meeting with Baltimore and Week 10 rematch with Buffalo.
Some of the heat on Mike McDaniel cooled after a solid game against the Bills, but the Dolphins can’t breathe easily yet. (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)New York Giants (0-3)
The Giants hit the panic button this week when they decided to bench Russell Wilson after Sunday’s 22-9 loss to Kansas City. In that game, Wilson completed just 56.3 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions, extending his streak of games with at least one turnover to three. Two weeks ago, Wilson racked up 450 passing yards and three touchdown passes against the Cowboys. But Brian Daboll and his staff clearly saw those gaudy numbers as fool’s gold.
The Giants have converted only 27.5 percent (11 of 40) third downs for first downs (second worst in the league). So, now Daboll, who’s already on the hot seat, hopes that rookie Jaxson Dart can provide a spark with his athleticism and strong arm. If the rookie can display some promise, it buys his coach and GM some time. But the Giants aren’t going anywhere this season. Barring some eye-popping wizardry from Dart and Daboll the rest of the way, New York will undergo a dramatic overhaul this offseason.
Tennessee Titans (0-3)
Brian Callahan has given up play-calling duties just three games into the season and it’s troubling that in Year 2, he’s still exhibiting some of the same in-game decision-making struggles as he did last season. Callahan said his decision is centered on the belief that he needs to be available to the entire team. Will that lead to much of a turnaround and better enable the coaching staff to mask abundant talent deficiencies? Rookie Cam Ward has made some impressive plays, but Callahan hasn’t exactly displayed an ability to position young quarterbacks for success. Without signs of significant improvement, Titans brass may have to hit the reset button (again) this offseason.
Wait ’til next yearNew Orleans Saints (0-3)
No amount of panic is going to save the Saints’ season. Rookie head coach Kellen Moore finds himself in a tough spot while overseeing a roster full of holes at key positions. Sometimes, you have to go backward to go forward, and that’s basically New Orleans’ situation this season. The Saints got destroyed in Seattle, but as a whole, there have been flashes of promise from Spencer Rattler and the offense. Pulling off a dramatic turnaround feels impossible, but Moore and his team can look for small victories along the way as the coach works to install a culture that will serve as a foundation for future seasons.
New York Jets (0-3)
The Jets performed admirably against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay only to lose by a combined four points. They couldn’t hang with Buffalo, but that’s no surprise. There was hope that a talented defense and strong rushing attack could help position New York to win games. And there have indeed been some bright spots. But it will take time for Aaron Glenn to change the long-standing losing culture within the organization.
(Top photos of Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott: Elsa and Michael Reaves / Getty Images)