The Los Angeles Chargers have stumbled through the first three weeks of the NFL season, their 0-3 record revealing a team struggling to find cohesion under Jim Harbaugh’s coaching. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins face a talent shortage that leaves them similarly winless and searching for answers.
The Chargers are leading the league in false start penalties with 10, a figure that underlines their lack of discipline on the field. Their fumble count is equally troubling, with seven total, though they have managed to recover five of those. One notable mistake came when the center snapped the ball directly into a motioning player, a sign of the kind of sloppy execution that has plagued the team. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s insistence on calling runs despite the struggling ground game has not paid off, with the offensive line looking out of sync and starting quarterback Justin Herbert unable to compensate with his usual production.
Defensively, the Chargers have forced turnovers on 17.1% of opponent drives, but that number is inflated by Buffalo’s five giveaways in their most recent game. Otherwise, the defense has allowed an average of four trips into the red zone per game and failed to generate consistent three-and-outs. A costly holding penalty on second-and-26 against the Bills resulted in a free first down, exemplifying the team’s ongoing issues on both sides of the ball.
The Dolphins’ troubles seem rooted in a lack of talent, a situation brought on by significant roster changes in the offseason. This rebuilding phase has left them short-handed on offense and defense alike. The injury to running back De’Von Achane, who is out for the year with a torn ACL, compounds their difficulties. Through three games, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Dolphins’ offense rank 29th in success rate and dead last in expected points added (EPA) per play, according to Tru Media. Mayfield’s average yards per attempt sits at 6.4, with just two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has been sacked 13 times—the most in the league—and has shown a tendency to abandon clean pockets when his first read is unavailable. The offensive line’s underperformance and Mayfield’s struggles have left the offense disjointed.
The Dolphins’ defense has not been able to offset these issues either. The loss of key players has left the team vulnerable and unable to compete effectively, making a winless season a very real possibility at this point.
Elsewhere among the 0-3 teams, the Houston Texans suffer from a series of injuries and a shaky offensive line. Wide receiver Nico Collins’ hamstring injury has hindered the Texans’ offense over the last two weeks, and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been pressured on over 38% of his dropbacks. The running game has been ineffective, with David Montgomery and Woody Marks ranking low in yards after contact and avoided tackle rate. The Texans’ defense has shown flashes but was overwhelmed by Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 1. Their challenging schedule, which included games against Buffalo and Cincinnati, has not helped, but the team could have managed at least one win so far.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also failed to win a game, with blame distributed equally among coaching, talent, and quarterback play. Baker Mayfield’s struggles have been particularly damaging, with the offense lacking rhythm and consistency. Running back Bucky Irving’s early fumble in Week 1 further set the offense back, though the defense has shown some improvement compared to last season.
The Tennessee Titans’ decision to hire Robert Saleh as head coach and Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator has not yielded positive results yet. After three weeks, their performance raises questions about the direction the franchise is heading.
Overall, the Chargers and Dolphins illustrate how early-season struggles can stem from a combination of coaching issues, player injuries, and roster construction. Harbaugh’s Chargers have been penalized for their mistakes and unable to find offensive rhythm, while the Dolphins’ rebuilding phase and injury setbacks have left them depleted on both sides of the ball. As the NFL season approaches its quarter mark, these teams face mounting pressure to reverse their fortunes.
According to CBS.
