NFL Week 4 panic meter: Ravens, Chargers rising fast

It's important not to overreact to what you see in the first few weeks of the NFL season, but four games is a large enough sample size to start worrying about these issues. Let's take a look at some struggling teams and players and rank them on the panic meter through four weeks.

Baltimore Ravens

Panic meter rating: 7.5/10

It's officially time to start worrying about the Ravens. Baltimore lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 to fall to 1-3, and now they're dealing with a bevy of key injuries. Most notably, Lamar Jackson left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, and his status for Week 5 is up in the air. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Nate Wiggins (elbow) also suffered injuries against the Chiefs and could miss time.

Additionally, star defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike has been ruled out for the season with a neck injury. Baltimore's defense ranks last in the NFL in points allowed per game (33.3), 31st in yards allowed per game (406.8) and 29th in EPA per play (0.149), and that may not improve with all the injuries piling up. 

Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward

Panic meter rating: 2.5/10

Titans fans were excited to finally watch some competent quarterback play after drafting Ward No. 1 overall, but it's been more of the same in 2025. The rookie has completed just 51.2 percent of his passes for 614 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions through four games. He went an abysmal 10-26 for 108 yards and a pick against the Houston Texans in Week 4. 

As inept as Ward and the Titans have looked so far, we're not even close to pressing the panic button. Tennessee has a terrible offensive line, the worst group of skill-position players in the NFL and an incompetent coaching staff led by Brian Callahan. Ward will be fine in the long run, but it might not look pretty this season. 

Los Angeles Chargers offensive line

Panic meter rating: 8.5/10