The Los Angeles Chargers, a team expected to contend for the AFC West title behind their new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and a supposedly sturdy defense, are staring down an unbelievable 0-6 record right now. Nobody thought this is how 2026 would shake out for them.
Chargers’ Shocking Freefall
Their season got off to the worst possible start with a 24-16 Week 1 home upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals. This wasn’t just any loss either, the Chargers were an 8.5 to 9.5 point betting favorite, making it an instant wrecking ball for anyone’s Survivor Pool dreams. That initial defeat was written off as a fluke, just a product of the NFL’s weekly unpredictability. But then they dropped another home game to the Raiders, as touchdown favorites, with an identical 26-14 score. That’s when things truly started to unravel. The problems? A groundswell of offensive ineptitude, hit hard by injuries to their offensive line and key playmakers, plus a defense that just hasn’t been consistent. Fast forward a month, and they’re one of only two winless teams left in the entire NFL.
Dolphins Embraced the Rebuild, But Who’s Last?
The other winless squad, the Miami Dolphins, are less of a surprise. They pretty much declared a full rebuild when they traded away receiver Jaylen Waddle and let go of veterans like salary cap-wrecking QB Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill, alongside former head coach McDaniel. Miami went all in on draft capital, anchoring their rebuild around first-round offensive line prospect Kadyn Proctor and second-round linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who’s already emerged as a favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. New coach Jeff Hafley, a former Packers assistant, brought in former Green Bay backup QB Malik Willis as a potential bridge or long-term answer at the position. Betting outlets had Miami as a co-favorite with Arizona, at around +400, to finish with the fewest regular season victories. It looks like they’re living up to those odds. But the real question is, will the Chargers, who were second favorites at +190 behind the Chiefs at +160 to win the AFC West, somehow end up being worse?
The good news, if you can call it that, for the Chargers is they have a Week 7 bye. That means they won’t lose this weekend, guaranteeing a brief pause in their streak of futility. But the clock is still ticking on who gets stuck holding the bag as the last winless team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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