The Los Angeles Rams got off to the worst start imaginable in Week 1, but several other playoff-hopeful NFC teams did too.
Playoff teams from last season, including the Rams, Packers and Panthers, lost their season openers, each in a spectacularly depressing fashion. In fact, Los Angeles and Green Bay are the only winless teams in their respective divisions, while Carolina is fortunate(?) to play in the NFC South, where no teams won in Week 1. That’s pretty on-brand for that division.
Not every team
should be panicking after losing the first game, but some teams should be more concerned than others. Here is the panic meter for five 0-1 playoff-hopeful NFC teams ahead of Week 2.
Los Angeles Rams
Week 1 Result: Lost 27-7 to the 49ers
The Rams are currently the worst team in their division and were the only team not to score double-digit points in Week 1. That’s the bad news, and I didn’t even mention how Myles Garrett is out for the next four games.
The good news, however, is that LA has had plenty of time to assess what they did against the 49ers. Los Angeles has about a week and a half to prepare for the Giants. They should be well-rested and come out with more energy after probably being crazy tired from the late arrival in Australia.
The Rams will be fine, even if they have some ground to make up. On the plus side, they have no more international games coming up, so no worries about any more bone-headed travel plans.
Panic Meter: Low, even if the upcoming schedule featuring road trips to Philadelphia and Denver is daunting.
Carolina Panthers
Week 1 Result: Lost 59-37 to the Bears
The Panthers were on the wrong end of the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history. However, there were some positive takeaways from the game.
The defense wasn’t one of them, as Carolina gave up 552 yards of offense, with nearly 300 of those coming on the ground. They also made Caleb Williams look like an accurate quarterback for an afternoon. Holy cow, that’s bad!
Oh right, the positives! The Panthers seem to have a solid offense. Yes, Chicago was missing several key defenders, but either way, they moved the ball well for much of the game. This despite being limited to 13 points in the second half. Bryce Young also seemed to pick up where he left off after a career year.
Like the Rams, the Panthers will be fine. Though they are nowhere near LA’s talent level if things pan out as expected.
Panic Meter: Fairly low. Every team has a chance in their crappy excuse for a division.
Green Bay Packers
Week 1 Result: Lost 39-22 to the Vikings
It’s not that the Packers lost; it’s how. Green Bay cannot hold a lead to save their lives, and that’s a problem. It’s not a recent occurrence, either. This has been a significant issue dating back to early last season.
The Packers gave up 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, turning a 12-point lead into a 16-point loss. Their defense even allowed Carson Wentz to become the first quarterback off the bench to throw three touchdowns and no interceptions in a season-opening win since Minnesota legend Fran Tarkenton in 1961. Aside from that, the offensive line play is atrocious, forcing Jordan Love to run for his life on every play.
GB has a six-game losing streak dating back to last season. If they struggle in their next two games against the Jets and Falcons, their season’s essentially over before a Week 4 rematch against the Bears at Lambeau Field. It’s reasonable to say Matt LaFleur is coaching for his job this season, and will likely be out if the collapses continue.
Panic Meter: Be afraid, be very, very afraid cheeseheads. You’re in for a long season.
Dallas Cowboys
Week 1 Result: Lost 28-20 to the Giants
The Cowboys weren’t facing the same old Giants on Sunday night, yet Dallas was back to its usual ways defensively. That’s, um, not great, considering all the investments they made on defense this offseason.
Things were so bad against New York that everybody’s favorite color commentator Cris Collinsworth was ripping them on the broadcast. Once Collinsworth dunks on you, just know it’s over.
It wasn’t just the defense that had a rough night. Dak Prescott was held to under 200 yards passing, and no Cowboys wideout had more than 50 receiving yards. Personally, I pegged this team as a potential dark-horse NFC Championship team, and thought they might do something with above-average defensive play.
Sunday was the same old Cowboys, and I apologize for maybe becoming as delusional as their fanbase for that dark-horse pick. Fool me once!
Panic Meter: Relatively high. This was a game they couldn’t afford to lose. Their new-look defense will be tested in upcoming games against the Ravens, Packers and Eagles.
Washington Commanders
Week 1 Result: Lost 24-22 to the Eagles
Washington looked decent against the Eagles, but that wasn’t good enough to win. They did look much improved compared to last season, yet they’re a far cry from the team that made an NFC Championship run two seasons ago.
Jayden Daniels played fine for a guy coming off an injury-plagued campaign. The defense was also okay, limiting Philly, which was breaking in a new offensive coordinator, to 318 total yards.
There isn’t much to say about the Commanders, as they came into 2026 with not as much hype as they did a year ago. Only playing good enough won’t do the trick in a relatively strong NFC.
Panic Meter: High. They could very well start 0-3 with games against the Cowboys and Seahawks coming up.
