The Browns’ offense still stinks under Deshaun Watson (28th in points per game), and they’re 1-2 on the road. But their schedule is easy, their defense has clamped down, and first-year coach Todd Monken should have the Browns battling for a playoff spot at the end of the year, whether via wild card or the team’s first division title since 1989.
**⋅ The Rams stink?** They were built to be a dream team, after acquiring Myles Garrett and luring Aaron Donald out of retirement. But the Rams are now a shocking 2-4 after Sunday’s 18-16 loss at home to the woeful Cardinals, who had allowed 31-plus points in four straight games.
The Rams sat 3½ games behind the 49ers in the NFC West standings before Monday night’s game, and slipped behind the 2-4 Cardinals for last place. No one, and I mean no one, predicted the Rams to be behind the Cardinals in the standings at any point this season.
**⋅ The Texans’ defense is lousy?** They finished No. 1 in total defense and No. 2 in points allowed last year, and brought back all the key players, such as Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, and Derek Stingley. Yet the Texans are allowing nearly a touchdown more per game this year, and they ranked 20th in points allowed after their 34-31 shootout win over the Jaguars in London.
The Texans have won two straight to get to 2-4, have the sixth-easiest schedule the rest of the way, and the offense is finding its groove. But they have already allowed 30 points three times, compared with just once last year, in Week 18.
**⋅ The Panthers are contenders?** They improved from five to eight wins in coach Dave Canales’s second season, and now are 3-2 and leading a weak NFC South following Sunday’s 25-14 win over the shorthanded Eagles.
The Panthers have some Jekyll-and-Hyde tendencies, and Bryce Young is only completing 60 percent of his passes. But the Panthers are No. 4 in scoring, Young has thrown 11 touchdown passes against two interceptions, and the Panthers’ defense is starting to jell. Watch out.
**⋅ The Chargers are inept?** They fell to 0-6 with Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Chiefs that may cost offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel his job during the upcoming bye week. The Chargers haven’t been 0-6 since 2000, when their starting quarterback for half the season was … Jim Harbaugh, who took over for Ryan Leaf.
It’s a shocking collapse for Harbaugh the coach, who was coming off consecutive 11-6 seasons. Before this year, Harbaugh had won at least 11 games in five of his six seasons as an NFL head coach, and never had a losing record. Now the Chargers are headed toward the No. 1 pick and Harbaugh might be coaching for his job.
**Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett:** Threw for 218 yards and an interception, but led six field goal drives in the 18-16 upset win over the Rams. The Cardinals are lucky to have him as they figure out their long-term quarterback plans.
**Texans WR Kayshon Boutte:** Caught 2 of 3 targets for 16 yards in a win, but the wide receiver room is even more crowded now with the arrival of Marvin Harrison Jr. Boutte was dealt a tough hand for his contract year.
**Cardinals K Chad Ryland:** Went 6 for 6 on field goals in the win over the Rams. They were all chippies — average distance of 32 yards, with a long of 43 — but you still have to make them.
**Chiefs DT Khyiris Tonga:** Played 25 snaps on defense and one on offense in the win over the Chargers. The Patriots used Tonga as a lead blocker on 14 snaps last year, and he has already played 12 this year, and even has gotten the ball — two carries for 3 yards and one first down.
**Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley:** Has helped the Texans out of their funk with two wins and 30 points per game the last three weeks. C.J. Stroud sits with nine touchdown passes and one interception on the season.
**North Carolina coach Bill Belichick:** Improved to 4-2 with a last-minute, 24-20 win over Duke. Important win over a rival that had beaten North Carolina a year ago.
**⋅** The 2-4 Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday morning, and coach Shane Steichen probably isn’t far behind. Losing to the previously winless Titans at home, while failing to protect a 13-0 halftime lead, is a fireable offense.
**⋅** Todd Bowles should probably start packing up his office, too, with the Buccaneers at 1-5 after failing to protect a 16-3, fourth-quarter lead to the Steelers.
**⋅** The Bills may be 5-1, but their defense is No. 28 in points allowed (28.5 per game) and had trouble stopping the Raiders on Sunday.
**⋅** J.J. McCarthy needs to start next week after throwing for 243 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in just the fourth quarter of the Giants’ loss to the Saints. It would be peak Vikings for McCarthy to develop into a quality quarterback after they gave up on him.
**⋅** No one can slow the Chiefs’ Kenneth Walker, who has scored multiple touchdowns in four of five games.
**⋅** The Patriots might want to get pressure on Caleb Williams Thursday night. He was 24 for 24 for 248 yards from a clean pocket in the Bears’ win over the Falcons.
**⋅** Mahomes tied Tom Brady for fewest starts to 100 wins (131).
**⋅** The Ravens are 0-5 the last three regular seasons when Derrick Henry fumbles.
**⋅** The Jaguars’ Travis Hunter accounted for five touchdowns Sunday, finishing with a net of minus-1, by my count. He caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a ball in the end zone, but allowed a 42-yard catch that led to a touchdown, committed defensive pass interference that put another drive on the 1, and loafed off the field on a punt, getting busted for 12 men on the field and giving the Texans a new set of downs, which they converted into a touchdown.
Ben Volin can be reached at [ben.volin@globe.com](mailto:ben.volin@globe.com).