Panic Meter for Struggling NFL Teams

The NFL isn't rational. Panic sets in every week if a team underwhelms. So much emphasis is placed on each contest that one poor performance can upset a franchise.  

Teams with slow starts and sub-.500 records through five weeks must turn it on now or be faced with lost seasons. Some have already experienced the beginning of the end. 

No one wants to hear their favorite team's season is over only weeks into the campaign. For some, it's true. It's damn true. 

Three organizations already own 0-5 records. They'll spend the rest of their 2017 seasons evaluating talent on the roster, trying to improve each week and looking toward the 2018 offseason. 

The race for the No. 1 overall draft pick is as real as those chasing the postseason. 

Others haven't quite reached that point, but 12 franchises have more losses than wins, causing their seasons to already be teetering near the abyss. The panic meter, rated from one (lowest) to 10 (highest), registered each of these organizations from least to most worrisome.   

10. Houston Texans

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

Let's concentrate on the positive instead of the negative. 

The Houston Texans appear to have found their franchise signal-caller. No. 12 overall pick Deshaun Watson has been outstanding. In Week 3, he almost upset the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Then he led Houston to a record-setting 57-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans and threw five touchdowns in a loss to the 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs.

Though they came up short in two of those three games, the Texans proved they can play with anyone, anywhere. 

The rookie is second in the league with 12 touchdown passes, and he didn't even start the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. 

"When you have a guy like that—and look, I know he's only a 22-year-old rookie, [but] I think our team needs to understand that and to understand that you've got this guy under center and at shotgun out there playing for you—you've got a chance in every single game," head coach Bill O'Brien said, per ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop. "No doubt about it."

For years, the Texans have been built around their defense, specifically J.J. Watt's stellar play. But he continues to deal with injuries. Last season, he missed all but three games because of a pair of back surgeries. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year suffered a season-ending tibial plateau fracture Sunday. 

With Watt out of the lineup, the team needs someone to rally around, and Watson is the catalyst. Houston trails the AFC South-leading Jaguars by one game. The rookie already showed he's going to keep Houston in every contest and the division race. 

Panic Meter: Two. Onward and upward.     

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

After an 0-3 start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals bounced back with two straight victories against the Cleveland Browns and the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills before going into their bye week. 

When the Bengals return, a different team should take the field, and they're still in position to contend for an AFC North crown. 

"They know what's on the line," head coach Marvin Lewis said, per ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell. "You spend nine weeks of the offseason, and then five or six weeks of training camp, and now we're five games into the season, and we don't want to waste this away.

"You're at a point right now where you can keep controlling your destiny and fight your way back into the race and do special things."

Two areas could propel the Bengals past the 3-2 Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. 

First, Cincinnati's defensive line remains one of the league's best. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther doesn't need to create exotic blitz packages because Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and rookie Carl Lawson all create pressure.

According to CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso, the threesome accounted for 60.6 percent of the Bengals' quarterback pressures through four games. Atkins demolished the Bills offensive line Sunday with a sack, four quarterback hurries and three defensive stops, per Pro Football Focus. 

Second, the offense took off once Lewis replaced Ken Zampese with Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator. Andy Dalton completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 826 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions under the new play-caller. 

A one-game deficit isn't hard to overcome, and the Bengals appear to be on track after a slow start. 

Panic Meter: Three. Ready to strike.

8. San Francisco 49ers

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Record: 0-5

Almost means nothing in football. A player can't almost make a play. Either he does or doesn't. 

The winless San Francisco 49ers lost each of their last four contests by three points or fewer. In doing so, they became only the second team in NFL history to falter in such a manner, per ESPN Stats & Info (via ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner). To make matters worse, the last two losses came in overtime.

Left tackle Joe Staley bemoaned the Niners' misfortune after their 26-23 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, per Wagoner.

"We're so close. We're going to have one of these games where it just goes the other way, and it's going to do so much for this team and this building and the confidence will just keep growing because guys are hungry, guys are eager to get back to winning. It's just hard to have four straight games and lose the way we have. But at the end of the day, it's the NFL and it's the reason why it's the best of the best. You've got to be on it. You've got to make the plays."

Even during an 0-5 start, bright spots can be found. 

The team's talented defensive front has lived up to expectations, particularly DeForest Buckner. The second-year defender ranks second league-wide with 25 interior quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus. Once linebacker Reuben Foster is healthy, the team will have another budding star among its front seven. 

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has yet to fully implement his scheme on either side of the ball, which should come as no surprise. Shanahan faced the biggest uphill battle of any new coach in trying to rebuild a franchise's entire culture. One or two victories will go a long way toward helping that process. 

Panic Meter: Four. The rebuild continues.

7. Chicago Bears

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Record: 1-4

Before the 2017 season began, the franchise goal was for Mitchell Trubisky to eventually take over as the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback and de facto face of the franchise. 

Mike Glennon was never anything more than a $16 million bridge to the rookie, and his play through four games showed why. The 27-year-old signal-caller completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 833 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

The offense proved to be stagnant, and Trubisky debuted during Monday night's 20-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The 2017 second overall pick completed 48 percent of his passes for 128 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

"For a first outing, I thought he was really good," head coach John Fox said, per USA Today's Nancy Armour (via the Argus Leader). "I know his teammates feel the same way. He'll just get better with time."

With Trubisky at the helm, the Bears offense expanded because of his mobility and his accuracy inside and outside the pocket. He'll need to adjust to making the correct reads and throwing into tighter windows, but Chicago has its starting quarterback.

The team will sacrifice the final 11 games, allowing Trubisky to experience mistakes and mature. In doing so, it should ensure long-term stability at the game's most important position. 

"He's got what it takes," Fox said. "There's no doubt in my mind." 

Panic Meter: Five. The future is now.

8. Los Angeles Chargers

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Record: 1-4

The Los Angeles Chargers are a far better team than their record indicates. Granted, the same was true in each of the previous two seasons, too. Despite touting a talented and competitive roster, the Chargers continue to lose games in devastating fashion.

The defensive front, in particular, can get after opposing quarterbacks. Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are the NFL's best pass-rushing duo. Ingram ranks second in the league with 7.5 sacks, while Bosa already has 74 quarterback pressures in his first 17 professional contests, per Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke. 

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley continues to pair the duo together on the same side, which causes fits for opponent's protection schemes. 

"When me and him are on the same side, the sky's the limit," Ingram said Sunday following the Chargers' 27-22 victory over the New York Giants, per ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams. "It's a pretty sight. We get over there and we talk and try to do a lot of stuff."

The secondary ranks fourth overall in pass defense, too. But a talented pass rush and ability to slow opposing passing games aren't enough to overcome some of the Chargers' other deficiencies. 

An aging Philip Rivers owns a 59.8 completion percentage, his lowest as a full-time starter. Running back Melvin Gordon remains inconsistent. The offensive line continues to deal with injuries. While the Chargers can move the ball, they're averaging only 19.8 points per game. 

The Chargers lost their four games by a total of 21 points, and the Kansas City Chiefs were the only opponent to beat them by more than three points. Good teams find ways to win games, but Los Angeles isn't good enough to compete in the NFL's best division. 

Panic Meter: Five. Not leaving the basement anytime soon.  

7. Tennessee Titans

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

Things haven't gone as planned for the Tennessee Titans. Thankfully, the team operates in the quagmire known as the AFC South, where three of the four teams are 2-3 and the division leader owns a 3-2 record.  

Tennessee's last two performances have been disastrous.

First, the Texans dominated the Titans, 57-14, in Week 4. On Sunday, Tennessee couldn't muster any offense and lost 16-10 to the Miami Dolphins, who tout the NFL's worst offense. 

This is the same team that defeated both the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks during the previous two weeks. However, both of those victories came with quarterback Marcus Mariota, who injured a hamstring against the Texans and missed the Dolphins affair. 

Mariota is considered day-to-day as he nurses the soft-tissue injury. 

"Marcus, he's coming along very well," head coach Mike Mularkey said Monday, per the Tennessean's Jason Wolf. "He's (had) a couple good days of rehab. Even (Sunday) night, getting back from the game, came in here and did some things that were a plus, and same thing (Monday). ... He's done more each day, especially the last couple of days in regard to treadmill work."

Matt Cassel is an experienced backup, but he can't replace Tennessee's franchise quarterback. Once Mariota returns, the Titans will look like a far different team, one still in the middle of a division race. 

Panic Meter: Five. Day-to-day.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

The Dallas Cowboys defense isn't good enough.

As a result, the franchise has already lost as many games this season as it did all last year. It became the second team in NFL history to lose consecutive games at home despite scoring at least 30 points in both, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com's Todd Archer). 

In Week 5, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers carved up the Cowboys on the road with three touchdown passes—including the game-winner to Davante Adams with only 11 seconds to play—behind a makeshift offensive line. 

"We weren't as physical as we needed to be up front, weren't as disciplined as we needed to be. We missed tackles," head coach Jason Garrett said, per Archer. "Again, they challenge you a lot of different ways. Sometimes you can get preoccupied with your attention solely being on No. 12 [Rodgers] and the weapons they have in the passing game.

"They can get into some situations where they can run the ball effectively, and they were able to do that throughout the game."

Coordinator Rod Marinelli's unit ranks 19th in total defense and 29th in points allowed per game (26.4). David Irving's return to the lineup from suspension can help only so much. This is a young group, particularly in the secondary, and it hasn't been able to bow up when necessary. Dallas surrendered at least 35 points in three of its five contests. 

The Cowboys can't consistently claim victories when only one side of the ball holds up its end of the bargain. Once Dallas comes out of its Week 6 bye, it'll face the San Francisco 49ers and Washington before engaging four straight teams that are among the league's top-15 scoring offenses. 

Panic Meter: Six. Big trouble in Big D.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

Andrew Luck's timetable to return from offseason shoulder surgery remains a mystery, but he's getting closer. The franchise quarterback practiced last week for the first time this year, per Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site. 

Following that first practice, head coach Chuck Pagano spoke about the next steps in Luck's recovery process, per the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder. 

"There's a pitch count. There's a number. We'll just keep an eye on it. We've got it scripted exactly how many throws he'll have and then what routes he'll throw based on each day. Depth of routes, outside breaking routes, outside-the-numbers throws, deep throws down the field—that kind of thing. We'll just look at it and evaluate every one of them, the docs and trainers will (also) and we'll take it one day at a time."

Luck has already been ruled out of Monday's contest against the Tennessee Titans, according to Walker. Thus, the earliest he'll return is the Colts' Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Without Luck, the Colts have managed two victories thus far, although both came against winless squads. 

Jacoby Brissett has played relatively well since Indianapolis acquired him from the New England Patriots, but even improved quarterback performances can't counteract the NFL's 31st-ranked defense. The unit has already allowed an NFL-worst 64 points in the fourth quarter, per ESPN Stats & Information (via ESPN.com's Mike Wells). 

Luck's arrival won't solve that problem, either. 

Panic Meter: Six. Too little, too late.

4. Oakland Raiders

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

Nothing can be more frustrating for an NFL front office than seeing supposed team strengths turn into weaknesses. General managers build rosters knowing not every area can be adequately addressed, but they assume the coaching staff should be able to rely on certain performers. 

For the Oakland Raiders, their offensive line was supposed to be league's best. That would allow their wide receivers to exploit all of the time quarterback Derek Carr enjoyed in the pocket.

Instead, the NFL's highest-paid offensive line has already allowed 12 sacks. The group isn't playing poorly, but defensive coordinators have decided to attack the front with multiple blitz packages.  

"Our offensive line gave up some sacks," head coach Jack Del Rio said after Oakland's 30-17 to the Baltimore Ravens, per ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez. "We generated some run game, but I don't think we're playing quite to the level that we expect. That's at the core of what we're going to be."

Carr suffered a back injury during one of the aforementioned sacks, which forced EJ Manuel into the lineup. But the former first-round pick could still rely on Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, in theory.

Well, half of that is true. 

Crabtree leads the Raiders with 252 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Cooper hasn't managed more than two receptions or nine yards during Oakland's three-game losing streak. 

While Carr is expected to return Sunday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Journal-Review, Cooper has gone missing in action and Oakland's touted front isn't all it's cracked up to be. The Raiders can't afford to fall much further behind in the AFC West, so they'll need their stalwarts to right the ship ASAP. 

Panic Meter: Seven. All is not well.

3. Cleveland Browns

David Richard/Associated Press

Record: 0-5

The Cleveland Browns organization knew it placed Hue Jackson in a difficult position, and the head coach may ultimately pay for an awful record through two seasons. Everyone knew this would be a multiyear rebuild, but improvement is expected at some point. 

Cleveland is now 1-20 since the start of the 2016 campaign. The front office provided the coaching staff with the NFL's youngest roster this season, and the team has made too many on-field mistakes to overcome. 

No one expected the Browns to experience a major turnaround after a 1-15 campaign, but they were supposed to be competitive after adding so much talent in the last two drafts.

But everything starts at the quarterback position, and Jackson is dealing with a controversy after benching 21-year-old rookie starter DeShone Kizer in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. 

Backup Kevin Hogan could be a short-term solution because he played better in limited opportunities, and Jackson stated his expectations. 

"It's still about winning," he said, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "That's first and foremost. If that was the case and it was just about development, I would have just left [Kizer] in. It's not about that. It's about winning."

Jackson appears to be setting himself up for failure by not having a clear vision for the quarterback position. 

Panic Meter: Seven. Who's getting fired first? 

2. Arizona Cardinals

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Record: 2-3

The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the NFL's best-coached teams since Bruce Arians took over as head coach in 2013. 

The 65-year-old is one of the game's toughest coaches. Unfortunately, the quality of his roster no longer reflects the expectations upon the players. Key components are aging at a rapid rate. Injuries—notably to David Johnson—have stunted certain areas of the team. Others simply aren't playing well. 

The symbiotic relationship between quarterback Carson Palmer and his offensive line is a perfect example of the issues within the roster. 

The 37-year-old signal-caller is an old-school pocket passer at his best when he can stretch defenses vertically. He doesn't have the time or mobility to be a top passer behind the Cardinals' porous offensive front anymore. 

Defenses sacked Palmer a league-worst 19 times (tied with the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers). The veteran signal-caller's game continues to suffer as a result. Palmer ranks 28th overall with a 59.9 completion percentage, 19th with 6.93 yards per attempt and 24th with an 80.5 quarterback rating.

The Philadelphia Eagles sacked Palmer twice in Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field and hit him seven more times.

"You can't step up to throw very long, especially when you're going sideways," Arians said, per ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss. "He stepped up in the pocket a couple of times and just couldn't get enough on it to get it out there."

The addition of Adrian Peterson on Tuesday helps, per NFL.com's Conor Orr, but it's not enough. The Cardinals are still the third-best team in the NFC West. 

Panic Meter: Eight. A sinking ship.

1. New York Giants

Steven Ryan/Getty Images

Record: 0-5

The New York Giants are the experiencing the NFL's version of Murphy's Law. Everything that could go wrong has so far. 

The Giants were supposed to be playoff contenders. If everything went their way, they had the potential to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Instead, the opposite occurred. 

Expectations were built upon a defense that came to life in 2016 and an improved wide receiver corps. Last year's second-ranked scoring defense is now giving up 24.4 points per game, nearly a full touchdown more than it did in 2016.

New York's talented group of wide receivers is now decimated, too. Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Dwayne Harris suffered season-ending injuries during Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Sterling Shepard is the last man standing, but he also suffered an ankle injury against the Chargers that could sideline him for the next week or two, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

No one is coming to save the winless Giants. The organization can't conjure a top-notch receiver out of nowhere. 

"We have some guys on the practice squad and some guys on the roster," head coach Ben McAdoo said Monday, James Kratch of NJ Advance Media. "We bump them up and we give them opportunities. Next man up. They're well-deserving of opportunities. You hate to see it like this, but it's a part of the game."

The best news to come out of Sunday's devastating loss is the Giants slipped past the Cleveland Browns as the current owners of the 2018 draft's No. 1 overall pick. 

Panic Meter: 10. Blow it all up.