NFL panic meter entering Week 5: Concern level for Cowboys, Jets, other contenders after first month of season |Max Sporty|

We’re now a month into the 2024 season, and there have been plenty of surprises that have popped up over the first four weeks. On a positive note, Sam Darnold’s resurgence in Minnesota, where he has the Vikings undefeated and atop the NFC North, is a development most didn’t see coming. The same can be said in Washington, where No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels looks like the real deal and has the Commanders leading the NFC East after the opening month.

While there are many positive stories for teams across the league after the first four weeks, there is also the other side of that coin. There are other clubs who were seen as legitimate finals contenders coming into the year who now find themselves faltering. We rounded up those summer playoff hopefuls who have struggled (to varying degrees) to start this season and ranked them according to how high their panic level should be going forward.

Panic level: Should be good

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (2-2), Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Both of those teams dealt with injuries to key members of the roster.

In San Francisco, the club saw running back Christian McCaffrey land on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, and has yet to play this season. Also, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel managed injuries, while defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is done for the year with a torn triceps. Even in the latest Week 4 win, linebacker Fred Warner suffered an apparent ankle injury. Of course, if these injuries continue to pile up, there should be plenty of cause for concern in the Bay Area. That said, they have a talented enough roster and top-notch coaching staff to absorb these current hits.

For example, the Niners still have the third-highest yards-per-game average (6.3) in the league through four weeks, and Brandon Aiyuk still hasn’t really gotten going. The schedule is tough the rest of the way, but the defending NFC champions should continue to compete for a top seed in the conference.

As for Green Bay, there’s something comical about its two losses this season coming in games Jordan Love started, and its two wins were when Malik Willis was under center. The Packers had their franchise quarterback sidelined for two weeks after suffering an MCL injury in the closing seconds of the Week 1 opener. While Love was unable to lead the Packers to a win in Week 4 in his return, there is still plenty of room for Green Bay to make the playoffs.

The division is tough with everyone at least .500, but there is a lot to like about Matt LaFleur’s team. Defensively, the Packers were able to get off the field on third down (30.3% opponent conversion rate) but must be tighter in the red zone (60% touchdown rate). On offense, Love can’t have three-catch days like he did Sunday against the Vikings, but the unit is explosive, averaging 6.4 yards per game (second best in the NFL). Their remaining schedule isn’t too daunting either.

Panic level: Zero margin for error

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (2-2), Philadelphia Eagles (2-2), New York Jets (2-2)

This group has a trio of 2-2 clubs that have the skills to get back into the postseason, but can’t slip as they advance through the rest of the year.

With the New York Jets, they are behind the Buffalo Bills (3-1) for first place in the AFC East and, at times, looked like a playoff contender. However, there are other moments like Sunday, where they managed just nine points in a loss to the Denver Broncos at home. For a team that has one of the most difficult schedules in the NFLthose are the games they can’t let go of them. They have a Week 5 matchup against the hotshot Vikings in London before returning home to host the Bills on Monday night in Week 6. After that, three of their next four games are on the road, so this is a critical period for this. talented roster to begin playing at its highest level. If they don’t, things could disappear in a flash.

As we move to the NFC East, neither the Cowboys nor Eagles have really impressed so far this season, and both clubs are currently looking at Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the division. Dallas beat bad opponents in the Browns and Giants to earn their two wins this season and have yet to enjoy a win at AT&T Stadium. Defensively, the unit ranks 24th in yards per game allowed (5.7) and 27th in rushing yards allowed (145.8) per game. In addition to that, the club is now dealing with injuries to the unit, with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence set to miss time. They have a much-needed bye week coming up in Week 7, but the road ahead is tough: at Pittsburgh (Week 5), against Detroit (Week 6), at San Francisco (Week 8) and at Atlanta (Week 9).

All of that leads to what could prove to be a massive division matchup with the Eagles in Dallas. Speaking of Philly, they were without their top pass-catching options, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, due to injury and are coming off a Week 4 loss to the Bucs. Their schedule is a little softer in the coming weeks before that game against the Cowboys, but the offense — even when discounting an injury — has looked the part of the season that has the seat under head coach Nick Sirianni warming up. Another kind of lackluster effort in the coming weeks could send people around Lincoln Financial Field into a frenzy.

Panic level: Danger zone

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1-3), Los Angeles Rams (1-3), Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4), Miami Dolphins (1-3)

Both the Bengals and Rams find themselves sitting at 1-3 after the first month and in last place in their respective divisions. With Cincinnati, its only win of the season came on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, which is hardly a sign of the tides turning. The defense is the key cause for concern as the Bengals are allowing 26 points per game so far (26th in the NFL) and struggle to get off the field on third down (22nd in opponent third-down conversions). Pair that with a division that has strong defensive units, and things start to look dire for the Bengals. That’s especially true in Week 5 when they have what feels like a must-win game at home against the Baltimore Ravens, who just decimated the Bills on Sunday night. A loss there effectively eliminates any remaining hope of an AFC North title and has the Bengals possibly staring at a lost season overall.

A similar case can be made when talking about the Rams. Injuries have taken a massive toll on Sean McVay’s team, especially on offense, with high-profile targets Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua sidelined. Added to the injury bug biting the roster is the simply poor play on defense. Los Angeles allows the second most points per game (28.8) and the second most yards per game (385.3).

In Jacksonville, you can make a pretty easy case that the season is already lost after falling to 0-4. Now, all eyes are on the Jaguars brass, including head coach Doug Pederson, to see if he will be the first coach fired in 2024. Coming into Week 6 and Week 7, the Jaguars have back-to-back games in London. , and it will be fascinating to see if Pederson is still the coach by the time they return to the US for Week 8 if things don’t settle down.

Finally, the Dolphins fell to 1-3 after losing to Tennessee on Monday night, and, after making the playoffs a season ago, are treading water. They are down to their third quarterback, with Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve and backup Skylar Thompson (rib) also injured. Tyler Huntley got the start in Week 5, and the offense was ice cold. Tagovailoa is reportedly asymptomatic That could pave the way for him to return when he’s eligible to come off IR in Week 8, but the Dolphins will need to urgently get in the scoring column in the meantime. In Week 5, they’ll be in New England before hitting the bye week and then face the Colts in Indy in Week 7. If they’re 1-5 by the time Tagovailoa is eligible to step back on the field, the season could be completely finished.