NFL: New York Giants at Houston Texans
Oct 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) watches the New York Giants offense in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
NFL Week 7 is almost in the books, pending Monday Night’s NFC East showdown, and this Sunday shone a new light on a few teams we think should be worried as we head into Week 8.
The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss, and while we are certainly concerned due to the rash of injuries they have suffered lately, we are going to give them a pass as they will now get a week off to lick their wounds with their bye.
Three other teams really kicked the worry meter into overdrive this weekend that we’d like to discuss. Let’s jump in and look at which teams might be in big trouble after week 7.
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The Carolina Panthers
Oct 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Panthers were apparently a bunch of paper tigers through 6 weeks, leading their division with a 3-2 record and a chance to put Baker Mayfield and the Bucs down for the count. Saying that they weren’t able to get the job done at home might be the understatement of the year, as they were completely embarrassed by the Buccaneers.
The Carolina defense was shredded by the Tampa running game as Mayfield was able to ease his wounded thumb back into action by merely handing the ball off 48 times on the day while attempting just 11 passes. The Panthers were outclassed on both sides of the ball and now drop to 3-3. While they still are in 1st place in the division, it’s pretty clear they aren’t quite as head and shoulders above the crowd as we had previously thought.
They don’t have much time to dwell on this defeat as they now have to travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers this Thursday night.
The Houston Texans
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Losing at home as the day’s biggest favorite is about as bad as it gets. The Texans gave fans some hope with two straight wins after a horrendous 0-4 start. That hope has turned to dread as the Texans now sit in the standings among teams like the Colts and Titans.
There is still enough season left to right the ship and give the Jaguars a run for their money, but not if this defense is going to get pushed around as they did on Sunday by the Giants. Their inability to run the ball and their trouble stopping the run will make this a long season in Houston.
Next week they get a reprieve from the schedule gods and will take the week off to try and figure things out. They face the Chargers in week 9, so they still have a chance to get back into the AFC South race, but their margin for error is gone.
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The New York Jets
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn hypes up his defense during the first half of the NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit,
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn hypes up his defense during the first half of the NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Are we shocked that the Jets stink? Not really, but we didn’t think they were “lose to the Dolphins” kind of bad. Any chance this team had to regroup and make something of this season is now out the window after today’s dismal home performance.
Aaron Glenn looks overwhelmed at times on the sidelines as he tries to juggle calling the defense and trying to be the head coach. He’s not very good as a defensive coordinator, and he may be the worst head coach the Jets have ever had. Yes, we know that Todd Bowles and Adam Gase coached this team.
This season is basically lost, and this team will be flush with draft picks next Spring. They need to figure out who will lead the charge next season before they do anything else.