We’re three weeks into the 2026 NFL season, which means we have enough of a sample size to start panicking 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’s not a typo. The Chargers have broken the panic meter three games into the season. Needing a win in Week 3 to avoid an 0-3 start, the Chargers forced five turnovers against the Buffalo Bills and still found a way to lose, 24-16.
According to Action Network’s Evan Abrams, this 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 situation were 81-3-1.
Los Angeles has scored just 44 points through week three, and its next six games are against the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. This team is not in the playoffs.
Panic meter rating: 5.5/10
Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and nearly won NFL MVP last season, but he’s been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Through three games, he has just 585 passing yards, six interceptions, two fumbles and just one touchdown. Advanced stats are just as bad.