NFL Week 7 Storylines: Which Preseason Contenders Can Be Counted Out?
Is it too early to count out potential Super Bowl trips for the Rams, Seahawks and Texans already given their slow starts to 2026?
As the 2026 NFL season progresses, several teams have fallen behind preseason expectations. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, once perceived as Super Bowl contenders, now sit at 2-4 and 3-3 respectively. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens face uncertainty with Lamar Jackson's absence. Other AFC darkhorses like the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers have lost all four of their games thus far.
The Houston Texans, in particular, have an uphill battle with a bottom-third defense. For the Eagles, the absence of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley's limited playing time signal a bleak outlook. However, the Philadelphia Eagles' weak NFC East division provides a lifeline. The Rams' fate remains uncertain due to injuries and the upcoming tough schedule against NFC contenders.
Lastly, the Seattle Seahawks have struggled with quarterback play as Sam Darnold's performance has dipped. Backup Drew Lock has stepped up admirably, suggesting a potential change in starter may be on the horizon.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
