NFL panic meter: Should Commanders, Chargers be worried?

The season is starting to turn for a few NFL teams that entered the season with playoff expectations. Which ones should be worried, and which should hold off on pressing the panic button? (Ratings are on a 10-point scale, with "1" a concern and "10" a full-blown panic.) 

Washington Commanders (3-4)

Panic meter rating: 7.5/10

The injury bug has come for the Commanders in 2025. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has already missed two games and left a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with another leg injury, running back Austin Ekeler is out with a season-ending Achilles injury and wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have missed a combined five games. 

The offense is struggling to find a rhythm, and the defense is one of the worst units in the NFL. Washington ranks last in yards allowed per pass (8.3), 27th in yards allowed per game (364.3) and 24th in defensive EPA per play (0.058). With matchups at the Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 27), vs. the Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 2) and vs. the Detroit Lions (Nov. 9) on deck, the Commanders are in serious trouble. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)

Panic meter rating: 8.5/10

The Jaguars might be the most fraudulent team with a winning record in the NFL. Despite its record, Jacksonville ranks 22nd in points per game (20.9), 30th in third-down conversion rate (32.9 percent), 31st in completion percentage (58.7 percent), 27th in passing yards allowed per game (245.7) and 32nd in sack rate (3.0 percent). The Jags have also allowed 29 points per game in their three road  games. 

As have many other observers, longtime Seattle Seahawks reporter Brian Nemhauser has seen enough of Jagaurs QB Trevor Lawrence, who lost to Seattle at home 20-12 in Week 6.