NFL: Six Teams Seek Their First Win in Week 4
Week 4 of the NFL season presents a crossroads for six teams that have yet to achieve a victory. This weekend, two of them will secure their first win, while the other four will face the harsh reality of continuing the search. Four of the winless teams will face each other directly: the Tennessee Titans against the Houston Texans, and the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins. The other two teams with an 0-3 record are the New Orleans Saints, who will face the Buffalo Bills, and the New York Giants, who will host the Los Angeles Chargers. The history of the NFL suggests that getting a win after an 0-3 start offers little hope of reaching the playoffs. Since 1990, only one team has achieved this feat. In the 14-team playoff format that began in 2020, five teams have managed to get there after starting with a 1-3 record. We analyze the situation of these six teams and what they need to turn their seasons around.
Dolphins
How They Got Here: A surprising Week 1 loss to the Colts, struggles in Week 2, and a close game against the Bills that didn’t result in a win. The defense has been one of the worst in the league in the first three weeks.How Surprising is This Start?: Losing against the Bills was predictable, but a winless start is unexpected for a team that hoped to be on the right track.Could Changes Be Coming Soon?: Owner Stephen Ross is patient, but results are important. Coach Mike McDaniel is in his fourth year, and a few more losses could test Ross’s patience.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: Continue to run the ball well. On defense, force turnovers against the Jets.How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 7. This could be the last attempt for the current era of the Dolphins with McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa, and Tyreek Hill.Weakness to Fix in the First Round: Despite the financial impact of firing Tagovailoa, that could be the direction. The Dolphins need to better protect their quarterback.“I heard the boos. It’s part of the game… It’s understandable, and it comes with the game. You get the boos, you get the cheers”.
Tua Tagovailoa
Jets
How They Got Here: Inability to close out games, losing leads in the final minutes. The defense needs to improve.How Surprising is This Start?: Not much. The Jets have faced strong teams. It was a difficult challenge for a young team.Could Changes Come Soon?: No. This is the first year of the new regime. Quarterback Justin Fields has a $30 million guarantee, so he won’t be replaced quickly.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: Rediscover your offensive identity (run the ball) and have the defense generate opportunities.How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 2. It’s not ideal, but it’s a situation with few consequences. This year is probably a transition year for the Jets.
Weakness to Fix in the First Round: They need a capable quarterback. They have invested in the offensive line and receivers, but they need a leader.“We have to eliminate the negative things from our game, the little things that are causing us to lose games. We have to do it quickly because… you don’t want to look and be 0-10”.
Quinnen Williams
Texans
How They Got Here: The offense averages 12 points per game. The attack has been disappointing from a schematic point of view.How Surprising is This Start?: It’s not a big surprise. They’ve faced strong teams. Their biggest weakness is the offensive line.Could Changes Be Coming Soon?: Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was released. If the losses continue, general manager Nick Caserio could be next to go.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: More offensive creativity and score more points. They need to take advantage of the Titans’ defense.How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 9. Houston had playoff hopes, but now they are in danger.Weakness to Fix in the First Round: They need to improve the running game.“We are very close. That is the problem, we keep reiterating that we are close, and now it’s time to solve the problems and be honest with each other… Now, it’s just the execution”.
C.J. Stroud
Titans
How They Got Here: They have been in decline since 2022. The departure of A.J. Brown affected the talent. Lacks game-changing talent.How Surprising is This Start?: It’s not a big surprise, given the schedule. The team knew they wouldn’t be a contender. They lead the league in turnovers.Could Changes Be Coming Soon?: Coach Callahan relinquished play-calling duties and the team traded Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to the Jets. More changes could be coming.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: They need a great performance from quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans also have the most penalties in the league.
How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 6. Quarterback Ward needs patience, but questions about Callahan will increase with each loss.Weakness to Fix in the First Round: Ward needs help. They need a left tackle.“Trust me, there’s no one more frustrated than me with our situation. It’s the reaction you get when you don’t win those games. The only thing you can do is clench your fist and fight. There really is no other way out of a situation like this.”
Callahan
Saints
How They Got Here: Years of putting off financial problems, not getting enough from their draft picks, and choosing the status quo. They don’t have enough talent in key positions.How Surprising is This Start?: The only real surprise is how uncompetitive they were against the Seahawks. Expectations were low.Could Changes Be Coming Soon?: There will be no coaching changes. General Manager Mickey Loomis has been in his position since 2002. The only wildcard is the quarterback.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: A miracle. They need to improve their offense and stop Josh Allen. They also need to stop committing so many penalties.How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 3. The stakes aren’t that high in New Orleans.Weakness to Fix in the First Round: They need a quarterback.“I feel like I got kicked in the face, literally and figuratively.”
Justin Reid
Giants
How They Got Here: Offensive ineptitude and unique ways of losing games. This does not reflect well on coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen.How Surprising is This Start?: Not much. They knew their schedule was difficult. The Giants were the underdogs in all three games.Could Changes Be Coming Soon?: Jaxson Dart is the new starting quarterback. Losses are unacceptable after a 3-14 season. Schoen and Daboll’s future seems to depend on Dart.What Needs to Happen to Win in Week 4?: It will be difficult. They need to help Dart and protect him.How Necessary is Victory in Week 4?: 4. A loss would be understandable, but every loss means something due to the pressure on Daboll and Schoen.Weakness to Fix in the First Round: They need to improve the offensive line.“Look, I’d be booing too, to be honest with you, for not being good enough, for not scoring, for not finishing. I get it. That’s the nature of it. We have to do better.”
Daboll
