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NFL Week 4 panic meter: Eagles entering the danger zone
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NFL Week 4 panic meter: Eagles entering the danger zone

It's time for our weekly NFL panic meter check-in, and we're excited to welcome a new team to the mix. Which teams are already pressing the panic button after four games?

Philadelphia Eagles

Panic meter rating: 7/10

Philadelphia wasn't on the panic meter radar before, but a lot has changed in the last two weeks. 

After getting embarrassed by the Chicago Bears in Week 3, the Eagles blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against the Los Angeles Rams to fall to 2-2. Suddenly, it feels like the walls are caving in.

DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, Dallas Goedert, Quinyon Mitchell, Jonathan Greenard and Landon Dickerson are all questionable for Week 5, and those names make up only half of Philly's injury report. As if that isn't worrisome enough, star right tackle Lane Johnson just announced his retirement. 

The Eagles haven't converted a third down in their last 17 attempts. They rank 30th in the NFL in offensive success rate and 27th in defensive success rate through four games. This team is broken with no solution in sight. 

Baltimore Ravens

Panic meter rating: 2.5/10

Lamar Jackson went down with an ankle injury in Baltimore's Week 4 victory against the Tennessee Titans, and he could miss multiple weeks. As scary as that might seem for Ravens fans, their team is 3-1 and has a capable backup quarterback in Tyler Huntley. 

This is Huntley's sixth season in Baltimore, and he went 2-0 in relief of Jackson last year. The Ravens can play ball control with Huntley and Derrick Henry while Jackson is out, and the upcoming schedule is manageable with the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on deck. 

Houston Texans

Panic meter rating: 9.9/10

The Texans were a popular Super Bowl pick entering the season, but it'll take a miracle for them to even make the playoffs. Houston blew another late lead to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, falling to 0-4 on the year. In the history of the NFL, only one team — the 1992 San Diego Chargers — has made the playoffs after starting the season 0-4. 

If you're looking for a glimmer of hope, five of Houston's next six games come against the Titans, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Browns and Indianapolis Colts. Even though the schedule is lightening up, the Texans can't afford to drop any of those games. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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