The 2026 NFL season has revealed early disappointments among several preseason favorites. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, two teams expected to contend deeply, have combined to go 5-7 through six weeks, with neither currently positioned to make the playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles have struggled significantly, sitting at 2-4 after losing their star quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season due to blood clots. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers have faltered badly, starting 0-6 and virtually eliminating their postseason chances, and the Houston Texans’ 0-4 start makes their playoff push highly unlikely.

The Chargers stand as the clearest example of a contender falling out early, with no victories so far and a substantial gap from a wildcard spot. The Texans show some signs of potential recovery, having won two recent games, but historically only one NFL team has made the playoffs after an 0-4 start, highlighting the difficulty of their situation. Their defense, which was once a strength, ranks only mid-tier now, allowing nearly 24 points per game and over 246 yards through the air, presenting a major obstacle to a comeback. The Eagles face an uphill battle as well, hurt by quarterback injuries and the limited availability of running back Saquon Barkley.

The Rams, though 2-4, are a team on the brink, having been very close to a 5-1 record had a few plays gone differently. Their injury list is heavy, affecting key players including Davante Adams, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and offseason stars like Myles Garrett. The NFC West appears out of reach with the 49ers undefeated at 6-0, but the Rams still have opportunities to salvage the season by shifting their offensive strategy toward the run game and tightening up their defense, especially outside the red zone. Their remaining schedule includes tough matchups against the Seahawks, 49ers, Packers, and Chiefs, making their margin for error very small.

The Seattle Seahawks are grappled with quarterback uncertainty as Sam Darnold’s performance this season has been inconsistent despite last year’s Super Bowl success. Darnold’s completion rate sits at 60% with an equal number of touchdowns and interceptions, generating growing concerns over whether he should remain the starter. Backup Drew Lock has outshined Darnold with a perfect 2-0 record and better stats, emphasizing the challenge for Seattle’s coaching staff. In contrast, the Green Bay Packers have rebounded from a rough start to a 4-2 record, with improved play from Jordan Love and their defense, positioning them well in the NFC North before a critical game against the Detroit Lions.