NFL Week 7 Storylines: Which Preseason Contenders Can Be Counted Out?

The 2026 NFL season started with what appeared to be a short list of surefire Super Bowl contenders.

Yet, as always, what appears guaranteed in the NFL rarely is.

Through six weeks of action, two of the preseason favorites – the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks – are a combined 5-7 and neither would make the playoffs if the season started today.

Another, the Philadelphia Eagles, are now 2-4 and have lost starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for the rest of the season due to blood clots.

Lamar Jackson’s absence raises questions about the Baltimore Ravens. Other darkhorse AFC picks like the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers each lost their first four games (and the Chargers still haven’t scored a victory).

With all of that chaos:

Which Preseason Contenders Can Be Counted Out Already?

No Super Bowl participant has ever had a losing record through six games.

At 0-6 and four games back of even a wildcard spot, the Chargers’ playoff hopes are dead.

The Texans’ 0-4 start could potentially be overcome because the schedule is forgiving, and Houston has already won two straight since (with a banged-up New York Giants team up next). But clawing back into the postseason picture after 0-4 would be an effort only one other team, the 1992 Chargers, has ever accomplished. And it likely needs Houston’s defense to play at a level it hasn’t yet this season.

To-date in 2026, the Texans once-vaunted defense is a mid-tier group allowing nearly 24 points per game. They’re still getting after the passer (18 sacks so far). But they’re also allowing 246 passing yards per game, which is bottom third in the league. A continuation of that won’t get them to the playoffs.

For the Eagles, no Hurts and uncertain health for Saquon Barkley (has only played two full games this season) spells doom despite the continued defensive strength. Their main liferaft, if there is one, is a weak NFC East.

The biggest question mark may be for the Rams, though.

At 2-4, the previous Super Bowl favorites would look very much out of the hunt. And injuries to Davante Adams, Kobie Turner and Poona Ford this past week only add to the list of big-name absences that already included star offseason additions Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie.

But at the same time, this is a team that’s three plays away from being 5-1. And even with those absences, it’s still a very talented squad.

The NFC West is already out of reach given the San Francisco 49ers’ 6-0 start. However, the Rams can still save themselves by rededicating themselves to the run game (they’re in the bottom half of the league for attempts-per-game, which has led to a pass-happy attack) and better defensive execution outside of the red zone.

Even then, though, L.A.’s schedule may not allow them to fix the tailspin. The Rams still have two games against the Seahawks over the final three weeks of the season, a road date with the Niners, and home games against the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. Anything worse than 3-2 there – nevermind what happens in the other games – and 2026 is toast.

Is There A Sam Darnold Problem?

That question won’t be answered in week 7 against the undefeated Chiefs, but the defending champion Seahawks can point to quarterback play as one of their biggest issues while starting 3-3 thus far.

Darnold, who was very sharp during last year’s title run, has completed just 60% of his throws this season for 1,033 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. And he’s thrown two interceptions in three of his last four starts, including a backbreaker in last week’s loss to the Broncos.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer has reported that Seattle will be sticking with Darnold as the starter, but for how much longer should he struggle again this week against Kansas City?

While he lacks the Super Bowl pedigree Darnold possesses, backup Drew lock has looked like the better QB so far in 2026. Over nearly two full games in 2026, he’s 2-0 while completing 73% of his throws for 422 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. It’s not earth-shattering football. But with the Seahawks’ defense, that’s not what’s needed. Mistake-free game management could be more than enough, which is why he remains an option for Seattle if a change is needed.

Leaders Of The Pack

The Packers’ week three blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons was eye-opening, and started raising alarm bells about long-term job security for head coach Matt LaFleur. Four weeks later, the team is in second in the NFC North at 4-2 and squarely in the playoff hunt again before a big Sunday matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Early-season concerns around both Jordan Love and the defense have seemingly disappeared overnight. In the team’s three straight wins (over the Buccaneers, Bears and Cowboys), Love has hit on 69% of his throws for 840 yards and five touchdowns, along with a rushing TD as well. On defense, a group that allowed 91 points over the first three games has only let up 34 since, and is only allowing 307 yards per game (No. 11 in the NFL).

If Green Bay can slow the 3-2 Lions down in Detroit, they could be just a game behind Minnesota at the top of the division by week’s end – depending on how the still-undefeated Vikings fare against the Colts, of course.

Paltry Primetime In Philly

On Monday night, the Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys in what schedulers and TV executives alike were hoping was one of the season’s biggest intradivisional games.

Instead, it’s a matchup of two disappointing 2-4 teams that are in separate tailspins, and could benefit from a week away from the primetime spotlight. But such is the nature of the schedule, which still has plenty more NFC East matchups to go this season.

A rivalry like this can typically get home fans excited, though, at the very least. Yet even the Eagles’ faithful has limited interest in seeing their injured team take on the hated Cowboys. Ticket resale prices are as low as $72 (as of this writing), and likely sink even lower as kickoff gets closer.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com